These long-tailed rodents can transmit diseases to plants, humans and pets through both their urine and droppings, wreaking havoc on your garden.
Getting rid of a rat problem is crucial if you want to protect your outdoor space, but it’s hard to know what to use in the absence of harsh chemicals.
Luckily there are a few non-toxic alternatives that will stop regular visits from rodents, but first, it’s important to confirm that you’re dealing with rats.
Rats are nocturnal animals which means you are unlikely to spot them lurking in your garden during the day, but they are bound to leave a few tell-tale signs of their presence.
Pest control company Integrum Services claimed that there are several tell-tale signs of a definite problem.
Burrows, small oval-shaped droppings, bite marks, and footprints are just some of the signs of active rats.
Seeking the help of a professional pest control service is the safest route to go down to tackle a rat problem, however, there are some DIY methods you can try out first, like making a natural rat repellent.
Integrum Services recommended: “Create a potent repellent recipe using minced garlic cloves, castor oil, soap, tabasco, and water.
“Spray this delightful mix all around your garden to keep the rats away.”
The use of peppermint oil may also prove effective as it acts as a safe, natural deterrent to aggravating rats.
These unsightly rodents will avoid your garden if they detect the potent peppermint aroma, simply dilute it in water and spritz your garden plants.
Placing ammonia near nests is another effective tactic. If you come across a nest that undoubtedly belongs to rats, a small dish of ammonia is usually all it’s needed to prevent them from coming back.
As per Integrum Services, the pungent chemical “works wonders” in warding off these destructive pests.
Alternatively, you can try to encourage natural predators to visit your garden. Gardeners’ World suggested: “Rats form a substantial part of a fox’s diet, so where feasible it’s sensible to allow foxes room to reside in your garden or allotment too.”
Keeping your pets lively in the garden can dissuade rats as well, so ensure they spend plenty of time on your lawn and flower beds to harness their naturally “disruptive force”.
Once you’ve dealt with a persistent rat issue, it’s crucial to take measures to stop them from coming back. One of the simplest ways to lessen the likelihood of rodents returning is by blocking access to appealing nesting sites, which is quite straightforward to do.
You should concentrate on the area under decking planks and cracks in outdoor structures.
Be sure to block up gaps or holes in sheds and summer houses or consider adding a metal kick plate to the shed door to hinder entry.
