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Chase Rats from your Home via Plants: A Natural and Ecological Solution
Rats are dreaded pests in homes, as they can cause extensive material damage, spread disease and disrupt domestic tranquillity. While chemical raticides remain a common solution to control these intruders, they have many drawbacks: dangers for children, pets and the environment, as well as recurring costs. Fortunately, nature offers effective alternatives in the form of repellent plants that, thanks to their odorous or toxic properties, make it possible to repel rats that are safe for the ecosystem.
In this essay, we will explore how four plants – officinal street, peppermint, daffodil trumpet and castor – can be used to hunt rats naturally and sustainably. We will also see why these solutions are preferable to traditional methods, while highlighting their ecological and economic benefits.
1. The Officinal Street (Ruta graveolens): A Natural Weapons Against the Rats
Description and Properties
The officinal street, also called "fatty with cats", is an aromatic plant known for its intense and particular smell. Although this odor is appreciated by some beneficial insects such as bees, it is highly unpleasant for rats and other rodents. The latter instinctively avoid the areas where the officinal street grows, which makes it a valuable ally in the fight against their infestation.
1.2 Conditions of cultivation
To grow the officinal street successfully, choose a sunny location in your garden. This plant likes well-drained soils but requires regular irrigation to grow properly. Here are some practical tips:
Watering: Make sure the soil remains constantly moist without ever being saturated. You can check the soil moisture by inserting a dry stick: if it comes out clean and slightly moist, it is perfect.
Maintenance: Cut the plant as needed to promote dense and compact growth. It will also enable it to produce more essential oils that are responsible for its repellent odour.
1.3 Benefits
The use of officinal street has several advantages:
Ecological: By opting for this method, you eliminate any potentially dangerous chemical.
Easy to maintain: This plant is robust and adapts well to varied climates.
Additional protection: In addition to its repellent effects on rats, the officinal street attracts pollinating insects and may even deter certain parasites such as fleas or mosquitoes.
2. The Pepper Mint (Mentha x piperita): A Gourmet and Rutting Ally
2.1 Characteristics and use
Peppermint is a very popular aromatic plant, not only for its culinary virtues but also for its repellent properties against rodents. Rats have extreme olfactory sensitivity, and the mentholated odour of peppermint is particularly unbearable. In addition, this plant is easy to grow and can be used in many ways.
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