Something went wrong, please try again later. Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later. Our free email updates are the best way to get headlines direct to your inbox Something went wrong, please try again later. Our free email updates are the best way to get headlines direct to your inbox Rats are the last thing you want invading your garden, munching away at your carefully curated plants. Once they burrow into your soil, they can cause significant damage to your greenery, including plants, flowers, and vegetables. Worse still, their droppings are a health hazard, contaminating the soil and posing a threat to your outdoor sanctuary. Lavender, renowned for its soothing scent and tranquil effects on humans, doubles as an effective deterrent against these rodents. Rats, with their highly sensitive sense of smell, find the potent aroma of lavender off-putting and tend to avoid areas where it's present. By introducing lavender to your garden, not only will you have a plant that can reach heights of up to 60 cm with attractive grey-green foliage and vibrant purple-blue flowers from late spring to early summer, but you'll also be creating a natural barrier against rats. Lavender thrives in various settings, from pots and borders to beds, and can even serve as a hedge or ground cover. (Image: Getty Images) Flower aficionado David Denyer remarked: "Lavender is a lovely purple herb," highlighting its aesthetic appeal. He further explained: "The lavender's strong smell will stop the rats from smelling any potential food in the garden, making it a zone of no interest to them.", reports the Mirror. Additionally, lavender oil can be transformed into a repellent spray by mixing 10-15 drops with a pint of water, providing a handy solution for warding off smaller insects and bugs that roam your garden. Another effective tactic is to put cotton balls or pads in a container, sprinkle five to seven drops of essential oil on them, and leave the container open as a deterrent to pests. To ensure the aroma remains potent against pests, it's advisable to top up the essential oil every couple of days. Moreover, marigolds are highly beneficial for repelling rats due to multiple reasons. The scent of the marigold is unpleasant to rats, and they are also deterred by the flower's vivid hue. To fend off rodents, it is recommended to plant marigolds around your garden's perimeter or at potential rodent entry points. Enhancing their repellent properties can be achieved by crushing the leaves and blossoms of the marigold. David remarked: "Rats, believe it or not, are rather wary creatures, so bright colors can easily frighten them and make them back off. Planting marigolds around the borders of your garden, along with any other bright and vibrant flowers, is a great way to stop rats from invading."