How to spot rats and keep them out your garden
With piles of rubbish stacking up with the lack of skips and rather large queues at most rubbish tips – there is an inevitable increase in the number of rats scouring our gardens. With most people spending more time in their garden, and enjoying the (surprisingly) nice weather, you may find some unwanted pests lurking in and around your bushes – especially rats. It’s a known fact that rats are extremely clever and great at hiding, so you may not always see them. You need to be aware of the warning signs and learn how to spot signs that you have rats in your garden.
Where do rats live in gardens?
Gardens are a hot-spot for rats. Our gardens are a prime location for these rodents to gather and call their home. However, these pests often cause damage to your plants, decking and can even enter your home – given a chance.
Any leftover food and over-filled bins is enough to keep these rats full. Alas your trees, deckings and benches will most certainly get chewed on by these pests.
How to spot signs of rats in your garden
Even though rats are extremely good at hiding, there are still ways to spot them in your garden. Although rats are normally nocturnal creatures, you may still see them during the day on the odd occasion.
The most prominent area that you will see a rat is near any sort of food or bins. Warning signs such as bite marks on any wood – benches, deckings or paper boxes.
These pests will usually create a burrow near these hot-spot areas, so that they can use the same pathways each time on their hunt for food. Another huge giveaway that you have rats in your garden, is rat droppings.
- Burrows built near food (usually around 7cm deep)
- Bite or nibble marks on any wood/paper in your garden
- Droppings in your garden – usually around 15mm long
- Damage to packaging or food from over-filled bins
You certainly do not want rats in your garden – no one wants to see these pests near their property as it can have a severe adverse effect on your house valuation. It’s also apparent that rats carry lots of diseases, and are known as notorious spreaders of them, too!
How you can keep rats away from your garden
You should definitely do everything you can to prevent rats from calling your garden their home. So, I have complied a short list of easy ways to make sure we keep these annoying pests away –
- Remove any gaps or access points around sheds and other building structure in your garden. You need to cover up any gaps in your garden that allow them access to your shed or any other buildings. Rats are creative little characters and only a small gap of around 15mm to enter any building.
- Keep your gardens neat and tidy. Having piles of wood, compost and overgrown plants is just asking for rats. These places are a great place for these pests to hide and inhabit – so make sure to keep your gardens as clean and tidy as possible and to eliminate any space where they could hide.
- Keep your bin lids closed. You must make sure that your bin lids are closed and any rubbish bags are sealed tightly – rats will always be looking for food, and if you’re offering it to them – they will make a regular appearance.
- Don’t feed the birds (on the ground). We all love feeding the birds, of course we do! It’s great for nature, and our companionship. However, I advise using a bird table or feeder net to feed the birds, as scattering food on the ground will only attract rats.
On a final note, some people tend to use rat traps to capture these pests. You must be careful in doing so, and ensure that they aren’t dangering any pets, or even yourselves. Rats are most likely going to be rather suspicious of new ornaments in the garden – so it may take a while for these traps to be seen as effective.
Although you may have implemented as much prevention as you can, and hopefully discouraged rats from entering your garden – some will still find a way, unfortunately. That’s where I can help. I have extensive experience, knowledge, and skills at successfully removing these pets from your garden areas.
Have you spotted rats in your garden? Contact me today for immediate help and advice