Tips To Stop Rodents In Your Garden
Rodents will often invade gardens. This can be highly distressing for homeowners. After all, the last thing you want is rats or mice living in your garden – if it will cause problems for you. If you’re experiencing this, then what can you do to stop rodents nesting in your garden? Here are a few ideas to get you started. To stop rodents, you need to address the following issues:
1. Compost heaps
The presence of rotting food stuff in compost heaps will often attract rodents. There are two ways to prevent this. First, be sure to turn your compost over as often as possible. This will place rotting food out of reach. Second, try to cover your compost heap. If you cannot do this, at least place a tarpaulin over it.
2. Garages
What attracts rodents to garages is clutter and they can adapt to environments quickly. Just like your shed, your garage should be kept free of rubbish and clutter. In fact, you should try and keep it as empty as possible or use shelving with storage boxes. Also make sure that there are no entry points into your garage. Seal up any cracks or holes where rodents may be able to enter.
3. Decking
Rodents are attracted to decking because it gives them a great place to live, and rats and mice aren’t picky. Underneath it’s nice and dark and no one ever goes there. A good way to prevent this is by placing chicken wire in the area between the boards and the ground.
4. Sheds
Disused sheds make a great place for rodents to live. All entrance points into the shed should be sealed up. Make sure that there is absolutely no way for rodents to enter. In addition to this, make sure that you shed is neat and tidy. Do not leave piles up rubbish in it. This will also attract rodents. If you’re not currently using the shed, then routinely inspect it for pests. Also, avoid storing things like dog food in your shed.
5. Bird feeders
Birds often spill bird feed on the ground. This food can attract rats. Rats may also be attracted because bird feeders are an easy source of food. You can prevent this by cleaning up spilt food. You can stop rodents by getting a bird feeder that hangs, instead of one that’s on a pole. If your bird feeder is on a pole, then place a baffle around that pole. This will also keep rodents out of your home.
6. Dense undergrowth
Dense undergrowth also gives rodents a place to live undisturbed. Your garden should be kept neat and tidy. Dense undergrowth must be kept under control. All trees and bushes must be regularly trimmed. Do not allow your garden to become too overgrown, as this will attract pests.
7. Water
Rodents are also attracted to water. After all, they need it to survive. To stop rodents, remove all sources of standing water, such as water collected in buckets. You can have the type of bird bath that rats cannot climb up. If you have a swimming pool, then get a cover for it.