How to Rat Proof Your Garden

Rats can be very disturbing especially when they are in great numbers. The presence of one rat is too many,  these rodents carry diseases and once they gain access to your home can cause much damage. I believe if not all most of us have had distasteful experiences with these tiny critters. Rats will bite holes in your door or wait for the perfect opportunity to slip through and once they have gained access, they will eat holes in your clothing, and consume your food products especially if they are not secured. Rats will also chew on wires which can become a fire hazard.

What makes matters worse is they will have babies not only in your yard and garden areas but also in your home filling it with their feces or droppings which has such a terrible sicking odor that is not good for our health.

Many of them will even seek to construct a nesting site under the hood of vehicles especially if the vehicle is inoperable causing further damage by chewing the wires which can lead to much expense. The good news is there are many ways to keep these rodents at bay ensuring we have an environment that is rat-free.

Keep rats out of your yard

Below we will be looking at measures to implement to keep rats out of your garden and yard. One of the first steps in discouraging rats from your yard is sanitation and exclusion, when you see wildlife in your yard and around your home is because they are looking basically for 3 things food, water, and shelter so taking away these 3 will keep them at bay.

Garden Plants

Sure we all want our yards to look attractive, neat, and clean garden plants that are properly maintained can create wonders that can increase our property value. But if we allow our plants to grow out of control especially if they cover the ground will be a good hiding place for rats. Once rats gain access to our yard will look for a hiding place so they can feel secure from danger. Give your garden plants the proper spacing and keep them nicely trimmed.

Don’t allow your plants to develop low-hanging branches at the ground level, remove all low-growing branches, doing so will take away their hiding place from predators such as dogs, cats, etc.… the removal of these low-hanging branches will also remove their shelter from the sun and the rain. Allow your garden to be open and not cluttered.

Avoid Meat Scrapes in Compost Bin

Avoid the temptation of adding food scrapes to your compost bin, meat scapes will not only encourage rats and rodents but will contaminate your compost, the addition of green and brown material along with keeping your compost moist will discourage rats. Turn your compost bin regularly, also placing chicken wire around the base of your compost bin will discourage rats from being able to dig under the bin where they will seek to gain access inside.

Use Herbs as a Border around your Garden Plants

Rats and mice hate the scent that basil, mint, thyme, sage, rosemary, cayenne, oregano, black pepper, and garlic give off even onion have a strong aroma that will deter rats. Use these herbs as border plants to discourage rats and mice. Scattering coffee grounds, white vinegar, eucalyptus, or peppermint oil around garden plants will deter rats because of their scent.

Your Lawn Area

A manicured lawn is so pleasing to the eyes, I have seen almost picture-perfect lawns. Lawns that were healthy growing with such nice deep green and neatly trimmed, I take great care of my lawn whenever I give it a good cut. My yard looks so different so as much as I can I am in the yard seeking to keep my lawn well-manicured.

Garden lawns should be kept at the proper height because if it is not kept at the height that it should be can cause issues such as encouraging disease and insects along with attracting rats. If your lawn is high then rats and mice will feel like this is a great spot to venture into so keeping your lawn nicely trimmed will not only discourage them but will take care of other pest issues as well.

Containing your garbage

This is another key component that plays a big role in discouraging rats from our yards. Moving about the country I have seen residents where either there was no proper garbage storage area or the area had garbage storage but was poorly kept.

Properly maintaining your garbage will keep away not only rats but roaches and other rodents and the neighbor’s dogs, if you haven’t as yet considered installing a proper garbage storage area. The garbage containers should have lids that can be placed over the garbage to secure the garbage.

Keeping your yard clutter-free

Keeping your yard clutter-free is a great way to keep rats at bay, woodpiles should be stored off the ground, and debris should be stored in garbage containers. If there are lots of things to store instead of leaving them around your yard or the patio area why not consider building a shed and using this as a storage area? Remember the goal is to keep your yard clutter-free.

Traps And Baits

The use of traps and baits will benefit greatly but if children and pets are involved then it is better to hold off on the traps, rat baits can be placed in a secure baiting station, these stations can be placed around the garden out of sight from kids and pets. The bait station can be checked every few days or once a week. If there is a serious infestation then stations should be checked more often.

Glue Boards Rat Traps

These traps can help to bring control, in most cases the rat or mice may still be alive when making your rounds, if you decide to go with glue traps make sure they are out of reach and sight of kids and pets

 Your Bird Feeder

Bird feeders make a good buffet for rats because as birds feed some the seeds will fall to the ground providing the perfect opportunity for rats to get a free meal. Make sure to regularly clean up all seeds that have fallen to the ground. Bird seeds should be stored in a seal galvanized, metal container in your garage or garden shed. Also, birdseed needs to be stored in a cool, dry place, this prevents mold and bacteria growth and also can help prevent seed germination.

Getting A Cat

Getting a cat can also help, I remembered the neighbor’s cat who loved to venture into my yard because of the rat problem which I had. When the cat was not around those rats would be having a party but when the cat showed up there would be no sign of rats so consider getting a cat or two which will double the pleasure of riding your yard of rats.

Repairs

Inspect your home and building structures, if there are any cracks or holes in the wall repair them as soon as they are discovered, if there are any small openings where pipes enter your home seal these holes. Removing tree branches growing near your windows will attract rats because rats can use these branches as bridges to enter your home.

Edible Gardens

Constructing an edible garden can be very beneficial providing both you and your family with food while saving on that food bill, inspect your edible garden to ensure there are no fallen fruits or veggies if there are any then remove them as soon as possible remember the goal is to take away or cut off what wildlife is looking for food, water, and shelter.

A water source

All wildlife needs water in order to survive, if there are any leaking pipes on your property whether in or outdoors repair them. Ensure there is no container lying around the yard that collects water because this will not only attract rats but mosquitoes as well.

If there are sinks or depressions in your yard that collect water see to it that these sunken areas are filled with soil and leveled. Some garden plants are known to hold water in their center cup either keep an eye on these plants doing heavy rain downpours to remove the water or consider removing those plants altogether.

Signs of Rats in your Yard and Garden

Here are a few signs to look for when considering if rats are in your yard or garden.

•  Look for continuous rat droppings.
•  Look for bite marks on packages.
•  You may smell a foul odor.
•  Scratching noises.
•  Footprints.
•  You will notice gawn or bite marks.
• Rat holes
•  Rub marks
•  Rat nest.
• Runways are the paths that rats take, they will travel the same route back and forth.
• You may see a rat or two venturing into the open.
• You may venture upon a rat that’s dead
• Urine puddles that have a sharp odor.

Conclusion

Rats can be a real menace, these rodents have been known to spread disease and do much damage to properties but the good news is we can win the war on rats by putting these measures in place helping to have a rat-free zone.