Good Lifestyle

When it comes to pests, your yard is the front door to your home. In particular, as the the weather is getting colder , mice can take up residence in your garden, seeking shelter under dead leaves, wood piles and underground burrows. But by repelling rodents from your garden now, you can help limit your risk of an indoor infestation next winter. If you bristle at the thought of inhumane traps and poisons that could harm a pet or child, don't worry: Gardening experts say there are several plants that repel mice and have many other advantages. Read on to discover the five best mouse repellent plants.

RELATED: 8 surprising things in your garden that attract mice to your home .

Planting peppermint in your garden can help deter a range of pests, including mosquitoes , ticks, spiders, cockroaches and rodents.

“Mice don’t like the strong scent of peppermint because of its irresistible nature,” explains Aaditya Bhatta , founder and editor of The craze for plants . “This can disrupt their sense of smell and deter them from approaching areas where peppermint is planted.”

Alex Worley , certified master gardener and founder of Jardinine says peppermint is her pest repellent of choice: “I like to grow it in pots right next to my flower beds and doorways…I've noticed a lot less munching damage since I've been planting it around my raised bed gardens. And the best part Rubbing peppermint leaves releases even more of that fresh aroma they hate.

RELATED: 6 Foods in Your Kitchen That Attract Mice into Your Home .

Lavender gives off a similarly fragrant aroma that mice find unpleasant, says Bhatta. “Its odor can mask the pheromones that mice use to communicate with each other, disrupting their ability to navigate,” he notes. ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb

Zahid Adnan , founder of labibledesplantes.com , recommends planting lavender in sunny locations where it grows best so that its aroma is most powerful.

For a mouse-repelling plant that will also give your garden an aesthetic boost, try planting daffodils.

“Daffodils contain alkaloids that rodents find unattractive, making them an excellent choice for natural pest control,” notes Adnan.

Bhatta suggests lining your driveway or the perimeter of your home with daffodils to create a natural barrier against mice and other rodents.

RELATED: 6 Plants That Keep Deer Out of Your Garden, According to Experts .

Nepeta cataria, commonly known as catnip, is another great way to deter rodents from getting too comfortable in your garden.

"Although catnip is a favorite of felines, it is decidedly not welcome in the world of mice. Its unique chemical composition, particularly nepetalactone, has been proven to repel rodents," says Adnan .

The plant expert recommends planting catnip strategically around your garden to keep mice away.

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Finally, Worley says he's a "big fan" of marigolds as a decorative pest repellent.

"At first, they are one of my favorite flowers, so I scatter them liberally around the borders of my garden and between rows of vegetables. Not only are marigolds pretty, but mice hate the pungent smell of the leaves and stems," he says. Better life .

Bhatta notes that while planting these plant species can help prevent infestations, they should only be part of your action plan.

"Remember that while these plants may help deter mice, they may not be a surefire solution. Incorporating these plants into your garden, along with proper sanitation practices and other pest control measures, can collectively help reduce the presence of mice," he says. .