Rats are more likely to come into gardens to try and find somewhere warm to burrow for the rest of winter, but if you do not deter them quickly, they can make their way inside your home. 

It is important to deter rats from living in your garden before they become an infestation. Rats carry diseases through their droppings, which can pose a major health risk to both people and pets. 

However, if you are reluctant to use poison to kill rats, then there are much safer and more natural solutions to try first if you are only dealing with a few rats you wish to scare away. 

Mark, a pest control expert from Pest Control in London, has shared certain home remedies that can “help get rid of rats in a natural way.” These scents are strong enough to overwhelm rats and make them leave an area since they have highly sensitive noses. 

Not only do strong smells make rats uncomfortable but it makes it difficult for them to sniff out food or predators so will likely move somewhere else to stay safe.

How to naturally keep rats out of your garden 

Red onions 

If you enjoy growing your own food, consider planting lots of onions, as rats hate the strong and pungent scent of this vegetable. 

Alternatively, you can scatter a small amount of onion slices in places rats are likely to burrow to help keep them away. 

Mark said: “Keep the red onions near the basement areas and small holes where you have doubt of rat’s presence and replace it daily. The onion smell will keep the rats away from your living place.” 

Both onions and garlic contain sulphur compounds that cause rats to feel disoriented and uncomfortable, so can potentially stop them from coming near your home.

Cloves

Cloves are not just a nice way to make your home smell good at Christmas time; they are also incredibly practical, as their scent deters rats. 

They contain eugenol, an essential oil with a spicy smell that irritates rats but can also make rodents feel unsafe. The sharp scent can make rodents believe an area may be unsafe to settle in. 

Mark said: “Take a handful of cloves and wrap it in any bag or cloth. Place [these] wraps near the rat nest or hole. The smell of cloves helps you to remove the rats from your house without much risk.”

Peppermint oil 

One of the most effective natural methods of keeping rats away is peppermint oil. Its scent is so intense that rodents will avoid anywhere they can smell it. 

Peppermint oil contains menthol, which causes a cooling and tingling sensation when large amounts are breathed in. Rats will find this incredibly unpleasant. Rats often associate unusual smells with danger or toxicity, so they are less likely to stay long in a place coated with this useful essential oil.  

Mark said: “Peppermint oil is the best natural repellent for rats and mice. Rats hate the smell of peppermint oil.” 

You can make a spray out of water and a few drops of peppermint oil and spray it around your garden, which should help keep rats away. You can also coat gates, fences and the outside of plant pots with peppermint oil, making rats less likely to approach your garden.