Plants that 'drive rats away for good' as rodent infestations soar in UK

Rats are notorious for hoarding food below ground and their burrowing can mean disaster for your plants, as they often uproot them and ravage the root systems. Even worse is the potential for disease spread through their droppings and urine in the soil. Many resort to setting traps or using poisons in an attempt to rid their green spaces of these vermin - a tactic that could unintentionally harm other wildlife as well.

However, there's a greener, more eco-friendly weapon in the war against rodents, say the pest control experts over at Pure Pest. They suggest planting specific fauna that acts as natural repellents.

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They claim: "It turns out that a few special plants, nature's own guardians, can help keep these rodents at bay."

1. Lavender

More than just a feast for the senses with its stunning looks and calming scent, lavender packs a punch when it comes to pest control.

It's loved by bees and butterflies alike, yet it repels rats, who find its strong fragrance simply too "quite overpowering".

Not only does lavender enchant friendly pollinators visually, it also serves as a signpost that warns "warns off potential pests" such as rats.

2. Mint

Mint might be a treat for our noses, but for these whiskered nuisances, it's a different story. The powerful punch mint packs is "overwhelming" for pesky rats with sensitive schnozzles.

The herbal aroma, packed with menthol and other compounds in mint, doubles down as a "natural deterrent that drives them away for good from spaces where this herb thrives".

Moreover, mint has a tendency to spread rapidly and cover extensive areas once established.

This characteristic means that it doesn't just emit its deterrent scent from one location but rather "creates a fragrant barrier, making large sections of your garden less appealing" to rats.

3. Marigold

Marigolds possess a distinctive, somewhat pungent aroma. To the human nose, it might be sharp, even a tad musky. Rats, known for their acute sense of smell, find this odour rather "disagreeable".

The experts explained: "It's as if the marigold, in its own subtle way, sends out a fragrant caution tape, warning rats of the territory they're about to tread on.

"The message is clear that this might not be the best place for you."

The magic of marigolds doesn't end there as these blossoms have a reputation for "repelling various insect pests".

4. Catnip

Catnip is famous for attracting cats, but it also plays a crucial role in the garden, especially when it comes to managing rodents. The same scent that "intoxicates cats acts as a deterrent to rats".

For these small creatures, "the strong aroma of catnip is repulsive", causing them to "think twice" before approaching areas where the herb is abundant.

5. Camphor plant

The potent fragrance of the camphor plant is anything but soothing. Places filled with the scent of camphor "become no-go zones for these rodents".

It's almost as though the tree has an inherent rodent repellent mechanism, keeping away would-be diggers and gnawers simply through its natural aroma.

However, much like marigolds, it's not only rats that are put off by the camphor plant. A whole host of insects also find its scent downright "uninviting".