OH RATS
I’m a garden expert – five tips to deter rats and mice as they seek cover in autumn including the £2.95 plant they hate
Watch our video above to see how to keep your garden free from pests
THE rat and mouse population in Britain is at its highest during late summer and early autumn.
It’s also the time when rodent food sources start to dry up and they begin seeking cover and food which will bring them into our gardens and homes.
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However, there are some tips for banishing them from your house.
Garden building expert Sam Jenkinson from has provided his expert opinion on how to repel pests, such as rats, from your garden and home.
Plant peppermint
Rats hate the smell of peppermint, so in the area that surrounds your garden building, we’d suggest planting peppermint to deter them from trying to sneak their way in.
Not only will this deter pests from infiltrating your garden building, but in the summer, it will also flower with delicate purple flowers – brightening up your garden space.
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You can also create your own peppermint spray using 10 drops of peppermint oil, 1 cup of white vinegar (or 3-5 drops of liquid dish soap) and 1-2 cups of water.
Spray the mixture in entryways and around areas you've noticed rat activity and they'll soon disappear.
Remove food sources
Garden buildings, especially in the summer, are often used as a place for entertaining and hosting guests.
If you don’t remove food sources from your garden building, rats and other pests may be attracted.
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Ensure you clean any outdoor buildings out thoroughly after use to remove all traces of food.
Seal up any holes
Rats can squeeze through very small holes, so if your garden buildings have holes, they’ll find their way through.
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This is why tongue and groove boards, like shiplap, are a good investment – sheds with overlap or OSB (like large chipboard) seem to have more gaps with weathering or age, so tongue and groove boards are better at stopping intruders, large or small.
It’s important to seal up any holes in your garden buildings and other garden items such as fences and foundations.
You can use wire mesh caulk to do so.
Use ultrasonic devices
If your garden building has a power source, you can plug in an ultrasonic device.
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These devices emit high-frequency sound waves that are inaudible to humans but can be irritating to rats and vermin, keeping them away.
However, this system may only be effective as a short-term solution, so consider other additional options to ensure pests stay away for good.
Keep your garden buildings clean
Rats are attracted to cluttered and dirty places, so it's advisable to regularly clean and tidy your garden building, removing debris such as leaves and sticks from the outside and any materials which could be used for nesting.
Help! I have mice or rats in my garden...
WHETHER you can hear them they're scurrying around your house, or underneath your decking, there's one reason you have mice...
Fabulous' Associate Editor, Rebecca Miller, is a gardening enthusiast. She explains why it's not uncommon to have mice, but you should be concerned if you have rats.
"Our gardens are homes to various animals, from birds to hedgehogs to squirrels. But there's one animal no one wants to find - mice or rats.
"Mice can be destructive, and rats are just downright scary, and send everyone into a panic.
"But mice are common all across the UK - and one or two in the garden is not cause for alarm.
"Wood mice and field mice will easily get in your home since they are small enough to squeeze in almost anywhere. However, they are more likely to shelter in garages, sheds, and outhouses because they provide easier access to the outside world.
"You’re also more likely to see mice inside during the autumn and winter months.
"As for rats, they are generally considered vermin and can spread potentially serious diseases. They tend to set up home beneath decking, in sheds or greenhouses, and compost heaps.
"Rats are mostly nocturnal so you may not see them when you're in your garden, but there are some signs to look out for: tunnels or 'runs', droppings, gnawed wood, or teeth marks in crops."
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