These three common herbs emit scents that rats hate, and using them in these ways will repel rats from entering your homes all summer.08:44, 30 Jun 2026The peak breeding season for rats is now well and truly underway, with these unwanted rodents becoming increasingly active during the summer months — particularly in the UK, where the climate provides ideal conditions for these pests to thrive and readily find food and shelter.‌Kitchens, gardens, garages, barns, rooftops and cellars are just a handful of the spots these disease-ridden vermin love to invade in our homes, frequently causing significant damage and leaving destruction in their wake.‌While rats are unwelcome in any home or garden, there are fortunately several effective methods to deter them naturally, without resorting to cruel or harmful measures such as instant kill traps or poison baits.‌Rats are widely known to have poor eyesight, yet they possess an exceptionally keen and highly developed sense of smell. This also means their noses are particularly sensitive, and it's precisely this trait that can be exploited to drive these creatures away from our homes.While professional pest control is always recommended in the case of a serious infestation, certain scents are known to severely aggravate a rat's respiratory system, ultimately discouraging these pests from making themselves at home, reports the Express.Three herbs that repel rats‌There are three herbs that prove enormously useful in the fight against rats, and deploying them in the simple and inventive ways listed below will help drive these pests away from your home.BasilDeploying the herbal aroma of basil oil against rats using a spray or diffuser is a clever and humane way to rid your home of these unwanted pests, as the scent of basil is particularly offensive to rodents.Positioning basil plants near entrances, potential entry points, and areas where rat activity is suspected will also go a long way towards keeping these creatures at bay.‌LemongrassLemongrass is another herb well known for repelling rats, and is widely regarded as an outstanding natural deterrent.Simply steep lemongrass — whether bought separately or taken from your own garden — in boiling water to create a tea. This powerful solution can then be poured into a spray bottle and applied around your home to ward off rats.‌Alternatively, potent lemongrass or citronella essential oils can be placed in a diffuser to circulate the strong fragrance throughout your home, offering another effective method of deterrence.Bear in mind that burning a lemongrass or citronella candle in just one small corner of your home will not be enough to fully repel rats.Article continues belowThymeSeveral cultivated varieties of thyme can prove useful in the battle against rats. These cultivars give off strong, pungent scents that will swiftly deter rats when placed in the right spots around your home.Thyme oil in a scent diffuser, or as a diluted spray in a bottle, are also widely recommended approaches for keeping rats out of your home. Another effective natural deterrent is to grow common thyme (thymus vulgaris) or golden lemon thyme (thymus x citriodorus 'aureus') in your garden to help drive rats away.Peppermint and citrus fragrances are also particularly off-putting and remarkably effective at repelling rats, as are the scents of cayenne pepper and chilli flakes.