A GARDENING expert has shared an 65p Aldi buy that promises to banish rats from your garden this summer.
With temperatures on the rise and the sun finally peaking through the clouds, many of us are spending as much time as we can in the garden.
Rats can wreak havoc in your home and garden[/caption]
Rats can’t stand anything spicy or peppery[/caption]
But there’s nothing worse than settling down in your favourite deck chair with a cup of tea and a good book, only to spot a pesky rat peering out from behind the bushes.
Not only are the critters dirty and unsightly, but they can also wreak havoc on your home and garden, and can even carry harmful diseases.
Although your first thought might be to put down poison or use traps, there are a number of natural methods you can try instead, which are cheaper and more humane.
Additionally, rat poison is toxic to pets and this method doesn’t eliminate the problem, as more rats will continue to flock to your garden.
With this in mind, experts from garden retailer Primrose’s shared a natural deterrent that rats “can’t stand.”
Hot Pepper
According to the experts, rats hate anything hot, peppery or spicy, so this is a great way to deter them.
To make a homemade rat repellent, all you need to do is mix either cayenne pepper or chilli flakes with water.
Both of these spices can be picked up from Aldi for as little as 65p, making this a very cost effective method.
Heat the mixture vigorously, to infuse the chilli, and then allow it to cool.
Strain out the chilli flakes, and then add some biodegradable castile soap before pouring the mixture into a spray bottle.
Spray the repellent onto the rat’s favourite hangouts, and then voila, your garden should become a rat free zone.
Onions
Another simple trick you can use to keep rats at bay, is by scattering onions around your garden.
Rats absolutely loathe the smell of onions so cutting up a few slices and spreading them around your garden, especially at the entry points they’re using to get into your property, will help keep them at bay.
This a great, natural option and is also cheap because you can pick up an onion from Tesco for around 12p.
Keep pests out all summer
IF you want to ensure that your home is pest free this summer, here’s what you need to know.
Hornets and wasps – hate the smell of peppermint oil so spraying this liberally around your patio or balcony can help to keep them at bay.
Moths – acidic household white vinegar is effective for deterring moths. Soak some kitchen roll in vinegar and leave it in your wardrobe as a deterrent.
Flying ants – herbs and spices, such as cinnamon, mint, chilli pepper, black pepper, cayenne pepper, cloves, or garlic act as deterrents.
Mosquitoes – plants, herbs and essential oil fragrances can help deter mozzies inside and out. Try eucalyptus, lavender and lemongrass.
Onions are so powerful in stopping the ratty nuisances because they are “a nemesis of rats,” according to experts at Buzz Boss.
“It’s a powerful rat repellent because of its pungent smell and taste,” the experts told The Mirror.
If you want to have handy access to the vegetable, even planting an onion plant in your garden is also an effective way to stop rats.
You can also plant lavender, chrysanthemums and black pepper in the garden, as rats hate the stench of these too.
And the pesky critter also hate the stench of garlic, so another simple trick you can use is to plant garlic bulbs in your vegetable patch.
“Rodents hate the strong smell of garlic,” Juanita Schulze, a gardening expert from David’s Garden Seeds told The Sun last year.
“Garlic does not come from seeds, but get some garlic bulbs and plant those in your garden to keep rodents away.”
Juanita added: “Another garlic tip is to chop garlic finely and boil in water.
“Then strain the garlic pieces out and put the garlic water in a spray bottle.
“Spray the bottoms of your plants to keep the rodents away. Spread chopped garlic around the outside of your garden.”
