Summer revitalization techniques: Five recommendations from professionals to beat nuisance rats in your outdoor space
Ready to keep those pests at bay and enjoy your backyard in peace? Here's the lowdown on how to keep those rats from crashing your party!
If your outdoor space is turning into a 5-star hotel for critters, you might find yourself dealing with some unwanted visitors for a longer staycation. Let's not let that happen! To say "Scram" to those pesky rodents, we chatted with garden expert, Richard King from Dino Decking. Here's how to turn your decking into a rat-free zone this summer:
1. Rubbish clean-up after barbecues and parties
The quicker you clear up that BBQ debris and small crumbs, leftovers, birdseed, and any food scraps, the better! Rats love a good, easy meal, and covered decking can be a prime spot for parties. "By cleaning up food after events, you'll reduce the appeal of the decking as a dining destination for rodents," advises King.
2. Secure your compost bin
Want to compost, but don't want to feed the rats? King recommends using a sealed compost bin with a lid rather than an open heap to minimize the appeal to unwanted guests. "For the decking, position your compost bin on a hard, flat surface, and consider lining the base with chicken wire to restrict burrowing," he suggests.
3. Take care of any standing water
Rats need a consistent water supply, so check your decking for puddles and make repairs where necessary. King also recommends checking outdoor taps for leaks and moving any containers that may collect water to avoid offering a drink to our furry friends.
4. Give your yard a tidy-up
Heavily vegetated areas and clutter provide rats with cozy hiding spots. To deter them from setting up camp in your backyard, King advises keeping hedges and shrubs trimmed and getting rid of piles of wood, leaves, and other debris, as these spaces are often used as shelter by rats.
5. Seal off access points
Using fine wire mesh or galvanized chicken wire, King suggests enclosing areas around your decking to create a physical barrier. "Make sure to bury the mesh a few inches into the ground to discourage rats from digging underneath your decking," he recommends.
Don't let rats turn your decking into their love shack. Follow these tips to keep those critters at arm's length and enjoy summer in peace.
- To maintain a rodent-free garden, ensure to secure your compost bin by using a sealed bin with a lid and positioning it on a hard, flat surface, lining the base with chicken wire to prevent burrowing.
- In your home-and-garden lifestyle, it's essential to keep your backyard tidy to discourage rats from residing there. Regularly trim hedges and shrubs, eliminate piles of wood, leaves, and other debris, and seal off access points with fine wire mesh or galvanized chicken wire.
