Rats are a frequent issue in gardens, and now that spring has arrived, the problem can only get worse. With the weather becoming warmer, many households will want to spend more time outdoors.
However, spring is the prime breeding season for rats and mice. They are hungry and searching for shelter, and they know our gardens can provide ideal nesting spots and food. It is crucial to ensure rats don’t take over, and Alan Titchmarsh has some essential advice.
The gardening expert revealed one thing gardeners love to do can actually be attracting rats, reports the Mirror. Feeding birds can lure rats into the garden, as they also want to feast on their food.
Alan stated: “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.”
He said: “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 suggests positioning your feeder directly in the centre of your garden, away from bushes, hedges and walls. Additionally, it will provide you with a better view of the birds when they visit to feed.
The gardener advised: “So, in an open space is by far the best place for a bird feeder. Then, you shouldn’t have the rat problem.”
Alan has another tip that can be used to deter rats from entering the garden, in addition to the placement of the bird feeder. He recommends not leaving any bird food out overnight.
Alan said: “Put it out first thing in the morning.” He conceded that many gardeners might be worried about his advice, as birds prefer to eat early in the morning.
However, he said it won’t pose a problem for the birds as they can simply wait. Alan added: “If you have had a rat problem, they can wait half an hour before you put it out.
“That way, you’ll enjoy the garden birds and hopefully not a rat in sight.”
Comments are closed.