Rats are a nightmare to those who pride themselves on their garden, particularly in the midst of summer.

These pests eat your crops, leave droppings everywhere, spread disease, and hide in the most inconspicuous places. 

Not only that, but they multiply insanely fast. A rodent only has a three-week gestation period. It can birth up to 14 babies per litter, and a female can have up to 10 separate litters each year - that’s just one rodent. 

Gardeners can’t use a pest control option that will harm their plants and a pet owner would need to use something safe around their animals.

Fed up with spotting rats running wild in her garden, one woman asked for advice on plants that would deter rats and later opted for mint.

Sarah Hilton took to the Gardening Hints and Tips Facebook page saying: “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. 

“Can anyone advise on plants that deter rats? Part sun part shade. Our garden is really small so ignoring them isn’t an option as the kids go out and disturb them in the evening. In our last much bigger garden I just left them be.”

She then edited the post after deciding to plant mint in her garden. Sarah said: “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 posted another update: “The mint plants are working! I spotted some rats but as they got near the plants they couldn’t run away fast enough.”

Pest control experts at Top Best Pest Services also recommend using mint to “repel” rats.

They said: “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. 

“For rats, the scent of mint is utterly revolting, just like other strong and overwhelming scents.”

Rats have a strong sense of smell which is the main reason why they’re so good at sniffing out sources of food to dig up. 

They added: “Fortunately, mint, especially peppermint because of its higher mint content, is one of the best plants that repel rats.”