The expert says there’s one ‘place rats love more than anywhere else’
Rats are drawn to one area of the garden the most(Image: PAUL GRACE/Getty)
Alan Titchmarsh has revealed his two simple changes every gardener should make to ensure rats stay away. Rats are a common problem in gardens, especially now that spring is here.
As the weather improves, many households want to spend more time outdoors. However, spring is the prime breeding season for rats and mice.
They are searching for shelter and are hungry. Rats know our gardens are a hotspot for food and ideal nesting spots, even more so if you have a compost heap.
Garden expert Alan said: “The place they love more than anywhere else in the garden is the compost heap. Mainly because of the heat generated by all this rotting vegetation.
“They can burrow into it and they’ve got a central heated house.” Alan explained that there are two changes you can make to the compost heap to make it much less attractive to rats.
Compost heaps can attract rats(Image: Shelly Still/Getty)
He said you need to make life “less comfortable” for the rats. To do this, Alan said you need to start with the compost heap itself.
It should be a solid structure with barely any gaps. Alan’s own compost heap is made from solid wood with steel sheeting lining the inside.
He said: “Hopefully that goes right down to the ground. They can burrow underneath it, but I am really reducing their ability to get in with ease. That’s a start, make the heap with good, strong sides.”
Alan’s next tip comes with what goes into the compost heap. “Don’t put processed food, anything you have cooked, any meat, any potatoes,” he urged.
“Don’t do that because it’s just an absolute open invitation for rats.” Instead, Alan suggests putting in mouldy apples as they rot down quickly and any green clippings from the garden.
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He said lawn mowing clippings can also go into the compost heap, but stressed the need to mix all the compost items together.
The compost heap isn’t the only item in the garden that can attract rats. Alan previously shared how bird feeders can be drawing rats into the garden.
Alan said: “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.”
To stop this from happening, Alan suggested moving the bird feeder to the middle of your lawn, as rats hate running through exposed areas. Keep the feeders away from bushes, hedges or walls.
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