08 March 2024 , 15:03
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Almost everyone considers rats as annoying pests, and we all dread the thought of them living in our gardens because they are known to spread diseases.
These creatures mainly come out at night, making it hard for us to spot them during the day. Gardening experts at international retailer Primrose have shared how to tell if there are rats in the garden and natural ways to get rid of them. If you notice rat tunnels or runs along your garden walls and fences, find their droppings, or see chewed wood, then it's likely a rat calls your garden home.
The traditional way of getting rid of these undesired guests is using rat poison or traps, which isn't safe for our wildlife, pets, or even us. Moreover, traps and poisons just eliminate them temporarily without stopping them from returning, according to the experts: "Both merely get rid of them. If you want an effective, sustainable and natural way to deter rats, prevention is the best answer to deter rats naturally."
Rats love gardens that provide food in abundance. Fortunately, there's plenty we can do to make our garden less inviting to them, reports Nottinghamshire Live. Compost bins are like treasure chests for rats, so make sure yours is safe and away from places they can easily get to, like fences and walls.
If you love feeding the birds in your garden, be careful. Rats might be eating the bird seeds and nuts. The gardening experts suggest buying a squirrel-proof bird feeder because it "will block off rats". Also, using no-mess seed mix means there won't be any leftover food on the ground that could attract rats. If you have fruit trees in your garden, make sure to pick up any fallen fruit quickly. Otherwise, rats might start eating it.
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After you've collected the fruit, keep it somewhere safe where rats can't get to it. Rats like to live under things like garden buildings and decking. To stop them, try blocking off any spaces underneath these structures - even if they're really small. But before you do this, check there aren't any rats living there already. The experts warn that if you block them in, "they will die an unpleasant death".
It's also a good idea to have a big clean-up in your garden. Get rid of any rubbish and cut back overgrown plants. This will give rats fewer places to hide. Even just cutting your grass short can help. Why not take this opportunity to change around your garden? The experts say: "Rats are neophobic, and this disruption of their territory will confuse them and encourage them to make a home elsewhere."
Experts say rats have a super sense of smell, even better than dogs. They suggest: "When used in concentration, essential oils can do wonders in deterring rats from your garden due to their potency. Peppermint oil, citronella and eucalyptus essential oils in their pure form are all smells that rats will dislike. A few drops of these oils in their pure form around the areas you know the rats have been should do the trick."
You can also soak cotton wool in essential oil and put it where rats go. The experts also said: "Rats' high sense of smell means they can't stand hot pepper or anything very spicy like it". To make your own rat repellent spray, mix cayenne pepper or chilli flakes with water. Boil it up to get the chilli flavour in, then let it cool. The longer you leave it, the stronger it gets.
If you used chilli flakes, strain them out. Then add some castile soap (which is safe for the planet) and put it in a spray bottle. Spray it in places where you've seen signs of rats.