You could unknowingly be attracting rats to your garden
Mia O’Hare Senior Spare Time Journalist and Talya Honebeek Content Editor – Spare Time
14:49, 26 Mar 2026
One popular garden feature could be a magnet for rats(Image: Ian_Redding via Getty Images)
Rodents pose a frequent nuisance in outdoor spaces, and with spring now upon us, the situation is likely to worsen. As temperatures rise, many families will be keen to enjoy more time in their gardens.
Yet spring marks peak breeding time for rodents. These creatures are on the hunt for sustenance and refuge, recognising our gardens as perfect locations for nesting and foraging.
Once established, infestations can prove extremely challenging and expensive to eliminate. It’s crucial to prevent rodents from establishing themselves, and Alan Titchmarsh offers some essential guidance.
The horticultural authority highlighted that one activity cherished by gardeners might inadvertently be drawing rodents in. Providing sustenance for wild birds can lure rats into outdoor spaces, as they’re equally eager to feast on the offerings, reports the Mirror.
Alan Titchmarsh has shared his tip on keeping rats away from your garden(Image: Getty Images)
Alan commented: “Most gardeners, myself included, love encouraging garden birds, so bird feeders are everywhere in this garden. But, they can also be a magnet for rats.”
Fortunately, there’s a solution to deter rats from targeting bird sustenance and infiltrating your garden. Alan revealed the answer lies entirely in the placement of your feeding station.
He explained: “The key to success with them is to position in the open, in the middle of your lawn. Rats hate running through exposed areas.
“If you put your bird feeder alongside a hedge or wall, that’s great as they have shelter and they rush out and grab what they want and rush back.” Alan advises positioning your feeder right in the centre of your garden, well away from bushes, hedges and walls. This approach also provides a superior vantage point for observing visiting birds during feeding time.
You need to be careful with where you place bird feeders(Image: scu)
The gardening expert emphasised: “So, in an open space is by far the best place for a bird feeder. Then, you shouldn’t have the rat problem.”
Beyond feeder placement, Alan offers an additional strategy to prevent rats from entering your garden. He recommends avoiding leaving any bird food out overnight.
Alan explained: “Put it out first thing in the morning.” He acknowledged that some gardeners might worry about this approach, given that birds typically feed early in the day.
However, he reassured that this won’t pose difficulties for the birds, as they’re perfectly capable of waiting a short while. Alan concluded: “If you have had a rat problem, they can wait half an hour before you put it out.”
He added: “That way, you’ll enjoy the garden birds and hopefully not a rat in sight.”
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