No one wants to deal with a rat infestation, indoors or out. They may seem harmless as long as they are outside, but if your kids play in the yard or you have a garden, these rodents can still cause problems. Rats are known to carry and spread many viruses and bacteria, including the plague. Yes. That plague. While you are very unlikely to get bitten by a plague-infested rat, coming in contact with their droppings can result in becoming ill with salmonella or other types of nasty bacteria. Avoid that risk altogether by adding plants to your landscape that naturally repel rats from your garden.
Keeping rat-repelling plants around your home not only keeps them out of your garden, where they may nest, reproduce, and damage your crops, but it can also keep them from getting inside. Rats will chew through wood or burrow under concrete to access food and safety inside your home. Here are some beautiful plants that will send rats running to another residence.
1. Daffodils
Chrysanthemums (Chrysanthemum spp.) are not only beautiful flowers, but they also have the ability to repel pests. The strong scent of chrysanthemums is a natural deterrent for rodents such as rats and mice. These flowers can be planted in your garden or placed in pots around your home to keep pests away. Chrysanthemums come in a variety of colors and can add a pop of color to your outdoor space while also protecting it from unwanted pests.
5. Bergamot
Bergamot is a hardy herb that goes by many names, including its genus, Monarda. It is often also called bee balm for its ability to attract beneficial pollinators. Bergamot is a perennial in zones 3 through 9, so it can be grown throughout most of the US. This low-maintenance plant tolerates lean soils, is drought-resistant, and can be grown in partial shade to full sun. As you can tell, bergamot is not a picky plant. This aromatic herb repels rats and other pests with its peppery scent.
6. Wintergreen
If you're looking for a cold-hardy ground cover, consider adding wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens) to your garden. In zones 3 through 8, wintergreen offers white blooms that mature to red berries. This perennial grows best in shade, making it ideal for any shady spots around your home and under trees. Although it will grow in full shade, a spot with partial shade or dappled sunlight will help it produce the most blooms. Rats do not like the essential oils produced by this plant, so it is effective in the garden, and you can make your own spray to use indoors.
7. Geraniums
Geraniums are a popular flowering plant that can also help keep rats away. These colorful blooms are not only beautiful but also emit a strong scent that rats find unpleasant. Geraniums are easy to care for and can be grown in containers or in the ground. They prefer full sun but can tolerate some shade. With their vibrant flowers and rat-repelling properties, geraniums are a great addition to any garden.
8. Marigolds
Marigolds are another flower that can help keep rats away. These bright orange and yellow blooms have a strong scent that pests find unpleasant. Marigolds are easy to grow and can be planted in containers or in the ground. They prefer full sun but can tolerate some shade. With their vibrant colors and rat-repelling properties, marigolds are a great addition to any garden.
Whether you need to repel pests or not, geraniums make a stunning addition to any garden. These plants offer fan-shaped, densely packed blooms topped with stems that provide gorgeous clusters of flowers in a wide range of colors. Perennial species are hardy to zone 3, while many showy annual species can be grown in containers and overwintered indoors. The scent of geranium leaves helps repel rats, making them a beautiful and functional bedding plant.
8. Snowdrops
Among some of the earliest spring blooms, snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis) are bulbs that feature sweet, delicate blooms even when there is still snow on the ground. They may look fragile, but these flowers are as hardy against the cold as they are tough against pests. Like daffodils, these bulbs contain compounds called Galanthus nivalis agglutinin, also known as GNA, that naturally repel pests. If you have a problem with squirrels, mice, rats, or even groundhogs digging up your bulbs, consider mixing in some snowdrops.
9. Camphor laurel
The aromatic oils contained within the leaves of camphor laurels (Cinnamomum camphora) are so powerful that they were used to help combat the black plague. In the garden, these powerful compounds can help keep large and small pests away from your outdoor spaces. The scent not only repels rats but is also used as a flea repellant. Before you plant camphor laurel, check to make sure it is not considered an invasive species in your region.
10. Elderberry
Whether you need to repel pests or not, geraniums make a stunning addition to any garden. These plants offer fan-shaped, densely packed blooms topped with stems that provide gorgeous clusters of flowers in a wide range of colors. Perennial species are hardy to zone 3, while many showy annual species can be grown in containers and overwintered indoors. The scent of geranium leaves helps repel rats, making them a beautiful and functional bedding plant.
Boxwood is a popular choice for hedges and landscaping due to its dense foliage and ability to be shaped into various forms. However, it also has a natural defense against pests. The leaves of the boxwood contain alkaloids, which repel insects and rodents. This makes boxwood a great option for those looking to deter pests from their garden or property. Additionally, boxwood is a slow-growing plant, requiring minimal maintenance once established. It can tolerate a range of soil conditions and is resistant to many diseases, making it a hardy and reliable choice for any garden.
Boxwoods (Buxus sempervirens) are commonly cultivated for their ability to be shaped into attractive forms, such as hedges or geometric shapes, that enhance the visual appeal of any landscape. These shrubs have dense stems close to the ground, serving as a physical barrier to prevent rats and other pests from entering your garden. Certain boxwood varieties also emit a distinctive odor, often compared to cat urine, which acts as a deterrent for a wide range of pests. The hardiness of boxwood shrubs varies depending on the species, with most being able to thrive in USDA hardiness zones 4 to 9.
