What can I spray (or sprinkle) on to the soil to deter rats?
+6
I have planted out various seedlings in my "container garden" and have suffered from repeated visits from a rat who proceeds to dig up the seedlings and/or dig holes in the soil, thus making my hither-to successful gardening effort almost worthless.
I have tried various herbs, chipped hot peppers, rat bait - which I do not like to use because I have free-range dogs and chickens.
Any suggestions welcome! (By the way, I live in Barbados.)
6 answers
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![Naomie Moore aka baileyanddaisey, Castaic CA]()
Naomie Moore aka baileyanddaisey, Castaic CA
on Jun 13, 2017
Invest in a no kill trap. I have a couple and works great to catch all kinds of critters. Just be sure to release far enough away so they do not make their way back - and also where there is a water source.- See 1 previous
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![Jody Price]()
Jody Price
on Jun 14, 2017
Start feeding neighborhood cats. -
![Nancy Turner]()
Nancy Turner
on Jun 14, 2017
Invest in a few rat traps and bait it with peanut butter. Unless it is like a pet to you get rid of it before it decides to come into your home. Rats are not stupid and may find its way back to its food source after releasing it. You should not have trouble with catching other critters as they probably leave your container garden alone. Put the traps out at night when the chickens are down if you would prefer. Good luck! -
![Jamie]()
Jamie
on Jun 17, 2017
I read if you shred up Irish Spring soap (with a cheese grater) and sprinkle it around the plants it will keep some critters away. I don't know if it works yet or which animals but it's worth a try. I just bought some soap to try it myself. -
![FRED RIGGS]()
FRED RIGGS
on Jun 17, 2017
set out a trap with bait, catch him. Nothing to deter rats except traps and bait. Poison peanuts might work. Talk to an exterminator. That is their field of study. -
![Susan]()
Susan
on Jun 17, 2017
I had field mice for a while - my cat would wake me up at 2 in the morning while chasing and playing with m! ack! I read (somewhere) have used CLUMPS of litter from my cat... yeah... urine clumps. Crumbled and sprinkled them around my foundation AND in my garden - have. not. had. mouse. one. since. Even has seemed to keep rabbits and squirrels away also! win-win- yeah at first for an hour or so - humans can smell it... nothin afterwards.
Naomie Moore aka baileyanddaisey, Castaic CA
on Jun 13, 2017
Jody Price
on Jun 14, 2017
Nancy Turner
on Jun 14, 2017
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