Zone 10a, San diego county California. This is my front yard. Obviously looking to avoid water intensive plants
suspire
Have you seen rats?
FrisianDude
tbh you could probably clear out any nest without really getting rid of all the bushes. But tbh, of all places rats would nestle they’d pick that? with a path, probably often walked, on one side and a driveway on the other? I’d be surprised. But then they might not be clever.
maybe easier to get a terrier lol
thejawa
Fuck the neighbors, IMO. Your yard looks fantastic and if it’s not water intensive then the problem isn’t the plants, it’s a source of free and easy food for the rats. Do any of your neighbors have bird feeders out regularly, or feed feral cats in the neighborhood?
No matter how much “housing” you provide rats, they’re not gonna stick around unless there’s readily available food which is Problem Numero Uno.
silverbunnyhopper
I wouldn’t take that comment as in there are actual rats. I would take it as it is tangled and messy. I think it looks great but you could define each plant a little more with some fresh mulch or pebbles where nothing is growing. That would improve curb appeal. I personally like the bushes.
GatEnthusiast
Rats aside, some of it does look a bit scraggly. Maybe keep a few nice bits and put something else in its place?
mtn91
I always think of rats when I see these bushes, so the aesthetic is not it for me personally. My city on the east coast removed these low juniper-like bushes from the medians because they actually were a home for rats. If you have signs of rats around, it might be worth considering. But if you don’t have a rat problem and like them and/or don’t feel like getting rid of them, it’s fine to keep them.
gandolffood
We kept packing the rat holes behind our house with used kitty litter until they stopped coming.
Designer-Ad4507
Screw neigbors. Its your yard.
Junior-Credit2685
Please post this question on r/Ceanothus. You may get some very enthusiastic and creative suggestions.
JTBoom1
Unfortunately any low bushy shrubs can harbor rats. There’s a few subs around that cater to native, low water use plants.
Multi-tunes
Those are lovely bushes. Just needs some trimming and maintenance to make it look neat.
Old_Instrument_Guy
Start raising falcons and train them to eat the rats.
Rats won’t hang out if there is no food.
Disastrous-Wing699
Upshot of having rats: you won’t have mice. Or roaches.
Remarkable_Battle_17
If you have rodents, install a hawk perch, owl box or obtain a native snake. The ecosystem of your native paradise will be complete!
JayPlenty24
Is there evidence of this actually happening or is your neighbour concerned it *could* happen?
FormerFastCat
Just tell the neighbors the snakes keep the rats at bay. 😉
KnocksOnKnocksOff
You could go in and shape them maybe into rounds so there is a lot of light in and space around them. Less rat friendly and saving plants.
HalfaYooper
Get a cat.
PsychologicalAd1120
nonsense. you’re supposed to have dirt like those other people in the back there? i’ve had junipers and boxwoods like that for decades, no rats, nope, and i’m on the east coast twenty minutes from Baltimore
floatingonmagicrock
r/NativePlantGardening
Garden_Lady2
I’m sure by rat nest neighbor meant not neatly trimmed in typical suburban nail clipper precision. No real rats. If you like them, keep them. If you don’t, you need to do you whether your neighbor likes it or not. It’s your home.
Dcap16
Do you have rats? Or is this just a “rats nest” aka messy?
23 Comments
Zone 10a, San diego county California. This is my front yard. Obviously looking to avoid water intensive plants
Have you seen rats?
tbh you could probably clear out any nest without really getting rid of all the bushes. But tbh, of all places rats would nestle they’d pick that? with a path, probably often walked, on one side and a driveway on the other? I’d be surprised. But then they might not be clever.
maybe easier to get a terrier lol
Fuck the neighbors, IMO. Your yard looks fantastic and if it’s not water intensive then the problem isn’t the plants, it’s a source of free and easy food for the rats. Do any of your neighbors have bird feeders out regularly, or feed feral cats in the neighborhood?
No matter how much “housing” you provide rats, they’re not gonna stick around unless there’s readily available food which is Problem Numero Uno.
I wouldn’t take that comment as in there are actual rats. I would take it as it is tangled and messy. I think it looks great but you could define each plant a little more with some fresh mulch or pebbles where nothing is growing. That would improve curb appeal. I personally like the bushes.
Rats aside, some of it does look a bit scraggly. Maybe keep a few nice bits and put something else in its place?
I always think of rats when I see these bushes, so the aesthetic is not it for me personally. My city on the east coast removed these low juniper-like bushes from the medians because they actually were a home for rats. If you have signs of rats around, it might be worth considering. But if you don’t have a rat problem and like them and/or don’t feel like getting rid of them, it’s fine to keep them.
We kept packing the rat holes behind our house with used kitty litter until they stopped coming.
Screw neigbors. Its your yard.
Please post this question on r/Ceanothus. You may get some very enthusiastic and creative suggestions.
Unfortunately any low bushy shrubs can harbor rats. There’s a few subs around that cater to native, low water use plants.
Those are lovely bushes. Just needs some trimming and maintenance to make it look neat.
Start raising falcons and train them to eat the rats.
Rats won’t hang out if there is no food.
Upshot of having rats: you won’t have mice. Or roaches.
If you have rodents, install a hawk perch, owl box or obtain a native snake. The ecosystem of your native paradise will be complete!
Is there evidence of this actually happening or is your neighbour concerned it *could* happen?
Just tell the neighbors the snakes keep the rats at bay. 😉
You could go in and shape them maybe into rounds so there is a lot of light in and space around them. Less rat friendly and saving plants.
Get a cat.
nonsense. you’re supposed to have dirt like those other people in the back there? i’ve had junipers and boxwoods like that for decades, no rats, nope, and i’m on the east coast twenty minutes from Baltimore
r/NativePlantGardening
I’m sure by rat nest neighbor meant not neatly trimmed in typical suburban nail clipper precision. No real rats. If you like them, keep them. If you don’t, you need to do you whether your neighbor likes it or not. It’s your home.
Do you have rats? Or is this just a “rats nest” aka messy?