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Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- General
- Daily Mirror
Rats will 'sprint from your garden' after smelling plant 'they hate'
A woman who was fed up with seeing rats running amok in her garden asked for advice on plants that would deter the rodents - and she later planted mint to keep them away Rats can be the bane of a gardener's existence, especially during the summer when gardens are brimming with fresh crops and plants. These vermin not only munch on your produce but also litter your green space with droppings, carry diseases, and sneak into the sneakiest of spots. To make matters worse, their breeding rate is astronomical. A single rat has a gestation period of just three weeks, can deliver up to 14 pups per litter, and a female may have as many as 10 litters a year – that's from one rat alone, reports the Express. Gardeners need pest control solutions that won't damage their plants, while pet owners require methods that are safe for their furry friends. The plant - mint One woman, at her wit's end with rats scurrying around her garden, sought advice on rat-repelling plants and eventually settled on mint. Sarah Hilton reached out on the Gardening Hints and Tips Facebook group, posting: "I would like to plant some plants at the back of my shed and along my fence that I hope will deter the rat run that has clearly developed." She inquired about plants that could keep rats at bay, suitable for areas with both sun and shade, stressing the urgency due to the small size of her garden and the disturbance caused to her children by the rats in the evenings. In her previous, larger garden, she had simply let them be. After some consideration, Sarah updated her post, revealing her choice: "I'm growing mint now. I heard online that rats despise them. My garden now smells of peppermint. I'll update you on whether it makes a difference. Possibly wishful thinking but it's an easy thing to try." Sarah then shared another piece of good news: "The mint plants are working! I spotted some rats but as they got near the plants they couldn't run away fast enough." Experts at Top Best Pest Services also vouch for mint as a rat deterrent, explaining: "There's something special about mint. It provides a pleasurable scent, flavour, and sensation. Fortunately, this benefit is only applicable to humans and not pests - especially rats." They elaborated on why rats detest the herb, saying: "For rats, the scent of mint is utterly revolting, just like other strong and overwhelming scents." Highlighting the rodents' keen sense of smell, they noted that this trait typically aids them in locating food, but mint can be their undoing. They concluded: "Fortunately, mint, especially peppermint because of its higher mint content, is one of the best plants that repel rats."
The Irish Sun
06-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Irish Sun
Houseplants will ‘bloom for years' thanks to common item in your food bin – and peace lilies find it ‘so tasty'
IF you often struggle to keep your houseplants alive (don't worry, we do too), then you've come to the right place. There's nothing worse than someone giving you a Advertisement 3 If every houseplant you own ends up dying within days, you'll need to listen up Credit: Getty 3 Here's a handy hack to keep peace lilies alive 'for years' - and the secret is in your food bin Credit: Getty 3 It turns out that houseplants find banana peels "so tasty" Credit: Getty But now, luckily for you, we've found a handy hack that will ensure your plants bloom for years. And fear not, you won't have to nip out and splash the cash on pricey Peace lilies in particular are said to find this trick 'so tasty', so if you want to ensure repeat blooming, this homemade feed is one you won't want to miss. When it comes to caring for Advertisement Read more Fabulous stories It turns out that overfeeding can be harmful, so it's important to avoid excess fertiliser. And now, gardening enthusiasts have shared a super simple homemade fertiliser - and the key ingredient is banana peels. Taking to the Gardening Hints and Tips Facebook page, an anonymous user explained: 'In the summer, I feed my houseplants with a homemade banana soak. 'My peace lily loves it, just thought I'd share it in case anyone is struggling. Advertisement Most read in Fabulous 'I've always struggled to get my peace lilies looking good, but bananas make them bloom for years.' The gardening guru then added: 'Once I've eaten a banana or given it to my dog, I'll chop the peel and soak it in some warm water. Gardening hacks to grow fruit from your weekly shop 'After a few days, pour sparingly on your plants, so tasty for them.' The social media post attracted numerous comments from other houseplant enthusiasts, who also praised the effective banana peel trick. Advertisement Top 5 Spring Gardening Jobs *If you click a link in this boxout, we may earn affiliate revenue Nick Grey, 1. Clean your garden Make sure to clear away all leaves, soil and plant debris from your patios and flower beds; this creates a healthier environment for new growth, especially as we get into the summer months. 2. Weeding Early Spring is the best time to tackle weeds; if you can introduce some regular weeding into your routine, you can guarantee a tidy garden all year round. 3. Hedge maintenance Spring is the ideal time to tidy up overgrown hedges and shrubs, as regular trimming ensures healthy growth and reduces pest issues. Using a tool like the 4. Composting Starting a compost heap this spring is a pro-active, cost-effective way to harness nutritious soil for your plants and recycle organic waste that will benefit the overall health of your greenery and foliage. 5. Look after your lawn Lawn care is hugely important in assuring your garden stays looking beautiful. Make sure to rake away any excess leaves and trim your grass routinely. One user beamed: 'Heard lots about this, so I gave it a go. I only use it now and again and then a proper feed in between, but it's fantastic.' Whilst a second chimed in: 'All houseplants love this, not just peace lilies, but be careful not to over water.' I've always struggled to get my peace lilies looking good, but bananas make them bloom for years Facebook user According to houseplant enthusiasts, soaking banana peels in water releases nutrients such as potassium, phosphorus and magnesium, which are beneficial for many houseplants, but peace lilies in particular. It is crucial to dilute the banana water with water to make it last longer and ensure it doesn't overwhelm the plant. Advertisement 8 must-have plants to brighten up your garden Nick Hamilton owner of Tricyrtis A spectacular plant that gives a real exotic feel to any garden with its orchid-like, spotted flowers giving the impression that this plant should be tender but it is 'as tough as old boots!'. Penstemon I love this plants genus of because most will flower all summer and autumn. They'll grow in sun or semi-shade in a well drained soil and produce a non-stop display of tubular flowers in an array of colours and colour combination to suit all tastes. Luzula sylvatica 'Marginata' With the evergreen leaves edged with yellow it's great asset is that it will grow in sun or shade in any type of soil and is great as groundcover in the hardest spot to fill - dry shade. Eryngium x zabelii 'Big Blue' A stunning, nectar-rich plant that will feed the beneficial insects in your garden. Leave the flowerheads once they have turned brown because they look stunning with winter frost and snow, extending the plant's interest period. Sarcococca hookeriana 'Winter Gem' If you need winter scent then look no further than this compact, evergreen shrub. The scent is stunning and the evergreen leaves create an excellent backdrop for the summer flowers. Cornus sanguinea 'Anny's Winter Orange' A dwarf version of 'Midwinter Fire' the very colourful stems create a stunning winter display, particularly on sunny days. Rosa 'Noisette Carnee' A very well-behaved climbing rose that is perfect for training over an arch, pergola or gazebo. The small, 'noisette' flowers are blush-pink and produce the most amazing clove scent constantly from June to November. Sanguisorba hakusanensis 'Lilac Squirrel' I've never seen a squirrel with a drooping, shaggy lilac tail, but this variety will give your garden an unusual and different look throughout summer. It does need a moisture retentive soil but will grow in sun or semi-shade. Not only this, but banana peels can also be used to fertilise outdoor plants, including tomatoes, bell peppers, roses and hydrangeas. If planting a new plant, you should simply scatter some banana peels beneath the compost, or place them around the top of the soil. Not only will this be beneficial to your plants, but it can also help to deter Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club Advertisement
