Three things that attract rats to your garden - and how to avoid them

Are you unwittingly attracting rats to your garden?

Although usually associated with dark alleyways and underground sewers, wild rats love nothing more than nosing about your garden. They’re resilient creatures who will think nothing of prowling around your bins and vegetable patch in search of food and shelter.

Rats are one of the largest carriers of potential diseases and notoriously difficult to get rid of. A property with a severe infestation can take up to three months to clear – so it’s crucial to keep them out. Here, garden specialist James Ewens at Green Feathers explores three habits that could be attracting rats to your backyard haven.

Unexpected food sources

Bird feeders

The most common reason rats enter your garden is through food sources. One of the main culprits are bird feeders that drop seeds onto the ground. Replace standard bird feeders with squirrel and rat-proof ones, and as birds are messy eaters, make sure they have a fitted tray that catch any falling seeds, leaving no leftovers for these pesky pests.

Compost

Although great resources for various insects and your soil, compost heaps can also become an all-you-can-eat buffet for rodents. Never put cooked food in the compost, and if you think rats are visiting your garden, stop putting raw food in there, too.

Food storage

If you store your food in an outbuilding, make sure it is stored securely. For an extra layer of protection, use chicken wiring or metal plates to ensure that they can’t get in under any circumstances.

Dinner time

If you leave food out for other garden animals, do so in the open. Rats like to stay hidden when feeding, so move your feeding station to the middle of the garden.

Bins

Rubbish bins can get very dirty very quickly and give off enticing smells to rodents. Keep your bins as far away from your property as possible. Don’t keep them in direct sunlight, and make sure that rats can’t climb in and access them.

Providing nesting spaces

Compost (again)

Your compost bin doesn’t only just make a great food source, it can make a great shelter, too. Consider a sealed compost heap, if not make sure to turn it regularly, and don’t keep it near any sides, fencing or hedging.

Movability

Reduce garden access and mobility by blocking any holes, walls, floors and doors of your garden outbuildings, decking, and anything that rats could pass through and set up shelter in.

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Slacking on maintenance

Upkeep

When enjoying your garden you can become complacent when it comes to upkeep. Keep your garden pruned and trimmed, and rid of any long weeds or grass which provide cover, and allow for rats to move around out of sight.

Clutter

As rats don’t like open spaces, clutter also makes great hiding places. Remove anything from cardboard and wood to leftover construction materials, or garden waste. Keeping your garden tidy and open will more likely scare rats away.

Open spaces

Keep an open space of lawn at the centre of your garden as rats hate open spaces. This might be enough for them to find your garden inhospitable, and move on to new pastures.