Rats are a common problem in the UK gardens during autumn. Fallen fruit, bird seed and leftover harvests like potatoes and carrots serve as prime rat cuisine causing a spike in the rat population during this season.
In gardens they will feed on sweetcorn cobs, pumpkins and squash and various root vegetables, such as carrot, parsnip, beetroot and potato tubers. Apart from causing damage to the garden, rats are known for infecting people with a bacteria causing a form of jaundice known as leptospirosis or Weil’s disease. The bacterium is spread in rats’ urine and can persist in wet places. It infects people through cuts and abrasions or by ingestion.
Signs of a rat’s nest in a garden often appear as a messy heap or a loosely formed ball made from soft or shredded materials. These nests are typically constructed using whatever is readily available in the environment, such as twigs, dry leaves, grass, and moss, along with man-made items like paper, cardboard, or bits of fabric. Rats choose materials that provide warmth and insulation, especially during colder months.
According to the experts, gardeners can do one thing to get rid of rats in the garden, and it really doesn’t require any products. Gardening experts from GardenersWorld revealed that “moving things around” the green area may act as a deterrent for the rats to come in.
They explained: “Rats are ‘neo-phobic’, which means they have a fear of new things. They don’t like disruption to their territory, so place obstacles in their runs and move things around in the garden frequently.”
It is believed that rats are highly suspicious of unfamiliar objects, smells, or changes in their surroundings. If you place a new trap or bait, they may avoid it for days until they feel it’s safe.
Apart from this, experts have also suggested protecting your compost bin in the garden.
They said: “Make your compost bin or heap uninviting – don’t add meat, dairy or cooked food scraps and keep it moist (which rats don’t like) by including plenty of green and brown materials.
“Watering the heap regularly can also deter them. Fixing chicken wire around the base of the bin can also help, as it prevents rats from being able to dig their way in. Turn the heap regularly but bear in mind that other wildlife uses compost heaps too. If rats have made a home in your bin, don’t use the compost on edible crops.”
