It’s a common myth that rats don’t like peppermint but it’s actually not true! Rats are attracted to the strong smell of peppermint and will often gnaw on peppermint leaves and stems. However they don’t actually eat the leaves – they just chew on them for the flavor.
So why do people think rats don’t like peppermint? Well it could be because rats don’t generally like things that are spicy. Peppermint is a type of mint which is in the same family as other spices like ginger and cloves. So while rats are attracted to the smell of peppermint they may not actually enjoy the taste.
Another possibility is that people think rats don’t like peppermint because mint is often used as a natural rat repellent. Mint leaves emit a strong scent that can discourage rats from entering an area. However this doesn’t mean that rats don’t like peppermint – they just don’t like the smell of mint when it’s used as a repellent.
So if you’re looking to attract rats to your garden or home peppermint is a good choice. Just be aware that they may not eat the leaves and that mint can be used as a natural rat repellent.
Peppermint oil is very concentrated and rats’ sense of smell is very sensitive.
The strong scent of peppermint can be overwhelming and even painful to them.
