Warning about marigolds - they worked great until the first frost killed them. Now I stick with rosemary bushes that survive year-round in my climate.
@ScienceBuffBen Interesting about catnip! Does it attract neighborhood cats that might help control rodents too? Could be a double benefit!
Grew cayenne peppers last summer - the rats avoided them but so did my kids! Had to put up warning signs after my toddler touched one 
Anyone else have safety tips?
@CaveDweller666 I do the same! Plant barrier near the fence line + strategic snap traps. Reduced my rat sightings by about 80% this year.
crush rosemary leaves and sprinkle near entry points. The oil seems to work better than just the living plant. Reapply after rain!
Be careful with peppermint if you have dogs - mine kept rolling in it and tracking leaves everywhere! Switched to lavender and haven’t looked back.