Chumasande MatiwaneThe most obvious indicator that your garden has rats is seeing one itself, dead or alive. Rats are very shy creatures and usually avoid humans, but there are signs of their existence in your garden. These handy tips below will help you recognise some of the signs you have rats around your garden.
Sign that your garden has rats
Rats are a gardener’s worst nightmare. They cause a lot of damage around the garden, spread diseases and can be difficult to get rid of. You need to watch out for the signs to get rid of the problem. The common signs of rat infestation in your garden are:
- Rat Droppings
- Damage to your crops
- Small barrows in the ground
- Unusual smells
- Footprints and scratches
Once you notice the signs, the next thing is to eradicate the problem.
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Ways to rid your garden of rats
If you’ve noticed any of the signs above, take action immediately to eliminate rats from your garden. While garden rats are a nuisance, you should try every possible way to get rid of them naturally and safely.
1. Remove food sources
The first big step is to make sure there are no food sources for the rats in your garden. Rats are attracted to food mostly. This means clearing up any spills of seeds or food. Ensure your compost bins are securely covered to reduce rat infestations. If you have a fruit and veggie garden, be sure to harvest as soon as possible. Never leave any of your produce to rot on the ground. Any spoiled fruit or vegetables should be thrown away.
2. Keep Your Garden Neat and Tidy
A clean garden breeds cleanliness and overall looks attractive. Garden rats are attracted to dirty and untidy gardens. Such gardens provide them with plenty of places to hide and nest. To reduce the risk of attracting rats, make sure your garden is clean at all times.
3. Introduce cats
Introducing natural predators can be a great way to help keep rats away from your garden. Cats are a great way to help keep the rat population down. Allow your cats to roam around the garden with ease.
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