It is best to deal with rats now in August before they start going into homes
Rats tend to be a lot more notable in gardens once August arrives, but there is a cheap yet efficient way to keep them away using a food most people already have sitting in their kitchen(Image: Getty)
August is typically when rats become more noticeable in your garden, so now is the time to take action if you want to prevent them from becoming an even greater nuisance come autumn.
Summer tends to be when we spot more rodents, as the warm weather can intensify the odour of bins, compost and fallen fruit, making it simpler for them to locate food.
This is also the period when young rats begin to grow independent, and as temperatures drop, they start seeking out warm spots to shelter, making them more inclined to venture into sheds or even houses. Many people resort to laying traps or poison at this time of year, but these can cause serious harm to wildlife and create needless suffering when there is a simpler way to deter rats.
Louie Scarlett from Total Pest Control has revealed that a natural method to keep rats at bay is to place onions and garlic around your garden, as it is one of the few smells they “can’t stand.”
Rats are known to absolutely hate the smell of onions and garlic(Image: Getty)
She said: “The smell is a strong deterrent for rats. Place chopped garlic or onions near known entry points or areas with signs of infestation. (Just be cautious with pets around onions-they can be toxic to dogs and cats.)”.
Onions and garlic contain powerful sulfur compounds that produce an extremely pungent odour which rats find deeply unpleasant. Rats possess a highly acute sense of smell, meaning these sulfur compounds can irritate their sensitive noses and make the scent completely overwhelming, reports the Express.
Unfamiliar odours can also make rats increasingly wary, meaning they are far more likely to move on swiftly in case predators or some other threat may be lurking nearby. Having onions and garlic growing in your garden can also make it harder for rats to locate food and determine whether it is safe, which will further encourage them to seek out an easier food source elsewhere.
It is a quick and inexpensive method that may help keep rats at bay, and late summer is the ideal time to give it a go before the cooler months drive them to look for shelter indoors.
It turns out there is a simple way to keep rats out of a garden without traps or poison(Image: Getty)
How to use onions and garlic to deter rats
Simply crush several garlic cloves and chop up one onion. Next, place them in a small breathable container, such as an old sock or a jar with holes in the lid.
This lets the powerful smell reach the rats while helping to prevent other garden pests from consuming the vegetables. Position the containers around potential entry points, such as gates, hedges and fences.
If you have pets, exercise caution when using this approach, as garlic and onions are toxic should they attempt to eat them. It can also be beneficial to add crushed garlic and chopped onion to a spray bottle filled with water and apply the mixture around your garden instead.
Place onions and garlic around your garden or turn them into a spray to keep rats away(Image: Getty)
Try this solution for a week and hopefully all the rats will have moved on. Nevertheless, it is worth bearing in mind that rats will only venture onto your property if they can smell food.
Ensure bins are firmly sealed, clear away any fallen fruit and avoid leaving food or bird feed in places where rats can get to it. Keeping your garden tidy and using this natural deterrent should prevent these troublesome rodents from coming back.
Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.