Gardeners urged to place cotton balls around their garden immediately

Gardeners have been urged to place in the month of April to get rid of their biggest enemies. Rodents like squirrels, voles, mice and are known to cause damage by chewing on , burrowing in soil, eating seeds and causing contamination.

These rodents are known for multiplying fast as they have a three-week gestation period. They can birth up to 14 babies per litter, with a female having up to 10 separate litters each year. A total of 140 rodents can come from a single rodent.

Now that the days are warmer, brighter and longer, the number of tasks will continue to increase. One thing that all gardeners will have to combat is the number of pests and insects attacking their beautiful outdoor spaces. But there’s always a solution to prevent those without the temptation of using poisonous chemicals.

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How to get rid of rats in the garden?

According to, one simple trick gardeners can use to help deter pests from coming is to put cotton balls around the garden.

They explained: “Rats are opportunist omnivores and eat a wide variety of things. Bird seed, household food waste, pet food, eggs, fruit, nuts and meat are all eaten. Many gardens therefore offer rats multiple feeding opportunities.” Nonetheless, despite rats targeting the gardens, they tend to avoid strong odours they find unpleasant. Using powerful essential oils such as peppermint, eucalyptus and citronella are said to be effective.

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Another way of deterring rats is by using pepper and cayenne. To do this, gardeners can use cotton balls with these essential oils, as well as with vinegar and bleach. There are also other natural and much ‘safer’ ways to get rid of rats, and this is done by planting certain types of plants. “Mint, onions and garlic along with sage are all effective as is fennel. Border flowers will also help. Grow lavender, marigolds, catnip and chrysanthemums to repel rats,” it explains.

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“They work well just growing in the borders but you can increase the rat deterrence by crushing them as you walk by and dropping cuttings onto rat runs and in their holes.” Taking care of our garden spaces can be time-consuming but also rewarding. By completing this simple task, not only will gardeners avoid any rodents and pests from damaging their outdoor spaces and fresh produce, but also keep a neat space to enjoy as the summer months arrive.