Plants that repel mice and snakes are the best form of pest control grown in gardens and backyards to deter the little critters from troubling your precious plants. Mice can be a nuisance to not just home furniture but plants too and carry diseases that can hinder their growth.
If you notice dark droppings and partly eaten fruits scattered on the ground, it’s a sign that your garden has some visitors.
Below are plants you can grow to dissuade mice from invading your backyard.
Contents
List of Plants that Repel Mice
1. Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemums can be a classic addition to your backyard. We love the Chrysanthemums because they don’t only act as rodent repellents; they have eye-catching flowers that add beauty to gardens.
– Characteristics
When you start to plant them, you are getting the best value out of them. These plants belong to the Asteraceae family and come in several cultivars. Chrysanthemums possess a chemical compound called pyrethrin, which is a constituent of many pesticides in the world. However, they work great against mice. When you are growing it, note that the plants bloom during the fall.
– Growth Conditions
Growing this plant isn’t complicated, but it depends on the choice of Chrysanthemum. Planting is best done in spring so that the plant’s growth is sustained in winter. Chrysanthemum love well-drained, organic soils and sunlight. It can also survive in partial shade, but shade plants that repel rodents. The plant is best propagated from basal stem cuttings.
This plant must be regularly maintained to prevent it from being attacked by its pests like thrips. In addition, remember to water the plant regularly in summer and add liquid fertilizer from late spring to increase growth and the ability of its repelling characteristic. As soon as flower buds appear, stop adding fertilizer. When Chrysanthemums grow to about eight inches high, pinch out the tip to encourage the formation of side shoots.
2. Daffodils
Daffodils aren’t among plants that attract rats. Apart from complementing the shrubs, Daffodils are rodent-repellent.
– Characteristics
They contain poisonous toxins that irritate rats and deer, so your plant grows uninterruptedly.
Daffodils or Narcissus are perennial plants that produce colorful flowers with shares of yellow and white. Sometimes, they produce shades of pink. They are hardy plants that thrive in woodlands.
– Growth Conditions
Daffodils thrive in partial shade to full sun. The plant does well in slightly fertile and moist soil with a pH level of 6.0 and under. They are soil tolerant, meaning you can grow them in loam, clay, or sand. However, the soil must be well-drained to get the best out of it.
Moreover, you should grow this plant in the fall when temperatures are around 65 degrees Fahrenheit. The bulbs need the coldness of the winter for their roots to develop before the flowering season in the spring, as a result, the temperature is ideal.
Daffodils are easy to care for, as other than watering the plant during the growing season, spacing is also required. Each bulb should be spaced when planting. When the bulb isn’t producing enough flowers, add fertilizer, and it will find its way back to blooming again.
3. Black Pepper
Black pepper, also known as Piper nigrum, is one of the most effective outdoor plants to keep rodents away. Native to Southeast Asia, this repelling plant is chiefly cultivated for its peppercorns.
– Characteristics
It contains a phytochemical compound called piperin that gives the peppercorns their taste. To scare rats and mice from your garden, all you have to do is remove the peppercorns, grind them, and spread them around the plants.
Mice and rats depend on their sense of smell to determine which plants are toxic, and when they feel revolted from the aroma, they will stay away from your garden and even the space near.
When you tend to increase the potency of black pepper, add cayenne pepper to it. The fragrance of this combination should deter mice.
– Growth Conditions
Black pepper is a typical tropical plant, meaning it will need full sun and rich loamy soil that’s slightly acidic. If growing indoors, ensure it gets the brightest light possible. When temperatures drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, plants’ growth will be hindered. Fertilize every two weeks during the summer and stop during the fall.
In addition, note that pruning is necessary for the plant’s health. Watering is also required, but keep it minimal. You wouldn’t want to risk the growth of your plant by overwatering.
4. Rosemary
These repelling plants that scare off mice and rodents. It produces a strong fragrance that deters rodents from coming near your beautiful garden. Native to the Mediterranean, Rosemary is used for a wide range of culinary and medicinal purposes.
– Characteristics
Knowing that this plant has different properties, makes it economically important. This perennial plant can be grown through mild winters as they develop naturally dormant. Hence, it is the perfect natural pest control plant to itself and to the plants that it surrounds. If you have children and pets, this plant is safe to grow because it won’t intoxicate them.
– Growth Conditions
Rosemary thrives in full sun and well-drained soils. Overly sogging soil will lead to root rot, so avoid overwatering. When planting, add compost to enrich the soil. The soil should be slightly acidic and rich in loam.
Furthermore, to care for rosemary even further, remembr that they should be spaced about three feet apart. You should water frequently during its growing season and underwater when they mature. Allow the topsoil to dry out completely before watering.
5. Elderberry
Elderberries or Sambucus spp. are garden plants that keep mice and spiders away. They are mostly cultivated as ornamental plants due to their lovely appearance, but gardeners these days grow them to deter rats and other rodents.
– Characteristics
These shrubs grow up to 15 feet at maturity. If you have children who love to wander in the garden, growing this plant isn’t safe because of the bark and stems. Some of the black and red berries they produce are also unsafe for human consumption. Furthermore, you can also grow this plant, especially the S. Nigra for medicinal purposes, which is a great benefit.
– Growth Conditions
Elderberries do well in moist, moderately acidic soils and full sun. They are shallow-rooted, so keep them watered during their first growing season. In the summer, provide up to two inches of water weekly. Fertilizing the plant is not needed in the first year, but is necessary for subsequent years.
When the shrub matures, it will need proper pruning so that the plant tends to its growth. The shrubs will produce runners, so remove the shoots, or they will invade your garden.
6. Peppermint
Peppermint is another plant that can repel rats. This evergreen natural plant produces an aromatic scent. Squeezing the leaves releases peppermint oil that deters rats.
– Characteristics
Native to mountainous habitats where it leverages the moist sandy soil, this low-growing shrub produces white flowers and spreads rapidly. This plant commonly grows in South Africa, but some species are grown in Australia and Madagascar. The leaves are heart-shaped with a smooth fur-like texture. Peppermint grows from spring to summer.
– Growth Conditions
Peppermints do well in full sun and moist soils. The plant tolerates all soil types, provided they are drained. The plants are also drought and heat-tolerant. Some species benefit from partial shade and relatively wet conditions.
Peppermints can be grown indoors in potting soils. In cold weather, you can take the plants indoors. They aren’t frost-tolerant, so some plants may die down; however, they will regrow in spring. You can propagate by the tip or stem cuttings in spring.
Peppermints will need watering during their growth; on the other hand, fertilization isn’t necessary as the herbs grow in moderately-rich soils. Since they spread fast, you need to trim the leaves occasionally.
7. Lemon Balm
Does lemon balm repel mice? This is one question that most gardeners ask. Lemon balm is a prominent herb that you can cultivate in your garden.
– Characteristics
It is known for its full leaves and small-shaped white flowers that give off a lemon flavor. Many people think lemon balm is the same as peppermint, but it is different. Lemon balm grows rapidly, so you need to prune regularly.
– Growth Conditions
Growing lemon balm is easy because it grows almost anywhere. It grows best in rich, moisture-free soils. Lemon balm blossoms in partial shade to full sun. Avoid adding fertilizer to the plant if you want to retain the power of the scent. The balm can be propagated via its seeds or cuttings, and as it grows, the leaves also spread, so regular pruning is required to control the spread.
You can also grow this plant indoors under the right conditions. Lemon balm grows impeccably in containers but spreads rapidly. Use larger pots when planting, furthermore, the plant must receive at least five hours of sunlight every day. With containers, you can easily move the plant outdoors in warmer months to enjoy the scent.
Water lemon balm regularly in summer and spring. Reduce the frequency in winter. Prune the plant when the leaves are becoming invasive.
Conclusion
Plants that repel mice are great for landscaping to discourage rodents. You can get rid of mice and other pests easily by planting these insect repellents in this post.
Before growing these plants, note the following factors;
- Some species produce fruits that are dangerous to humans when ingested. On the other hand, if you have planted rosemary, then it’s safe for kids and pets.
- The peppermint plants need regular watering during their growing season, and they will fill their repelling chemicals around the garden.
- Lemon balm is a fast growing repellent plant that would need proper pruning so that it doesn’t get out of control when its growing.
Repelling pests naturally is the best solution, especially when you are trying to save the planet. Growing plants that repel insects and rodents is better than pesticides.
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