With these exceedingly hot summers becoming the new norm in the UK, many experts have begun seeing evidence that these higher temperatures are making many pests act strangely – and more importantly, become bolder. Including the most dreaded pest of all: rats.
From flying ants to mosquitoes, warm weather is making all of these pesky critters a lot more brazen. Warm temperatures can drive them into our homes and gardens more than usual for a wide range of reasons. Some are looking for water and respite from the scorching sun (agree with them on that), while others are being lured in by intensified smells.
The latter is having an impact on rodents especially, though the smell they’re after isn’t coming from your kitchen – but it could be in your garden shed.
What’s attracting the rats to your shed?
We all know by now that rats are scavengers. Usually venturing into human owned areas in search of food. But this summer, experts claim it’s not our kitchens that are under attack, but our garden sheds – and there’s a very specific reason why.
Shed expert Sam Jenkinson from Tiger reveals that one of the worst everyday items to store in your shed over the summer is bird seed and pet food. He states that, in recent months, doing so has seen an upheaval in damage to sheds caused by rats and other rodents. ‘When the weather warms up, smells can intensify, attracting rodents like rats and mice,’ says Sam.
And the pest experts seem to agree, Mohammad Barzegar, director of Tavora Pest Control says leaving food sources such as these in your shed is basically a rat welcome mat. ‘Bird seed is essentially a formulated rat diet – high-fat, high-calorie and scattered daily.’ So it’s not just the storing of these items that attract them, it’s also the way we use them.
‘A rat needs around 30 grams of food a day, so one spilled scoop under a feeder feeds a family. In summer, natural food is abundant but so are litters – a breeding female needs constant calories and a shed with seed in it is a maternity ward with room service,’ says Mohammad – so safe to say it’s time to store that seed a little better, if you don’t want to become a rat nanny this summer.
How to stop them
If you’re wondering if sealing these items in the bags they come in is enough to deter them, it’s not. ‘Rats detect food through plastic and paper because those materials are gas-permeable – odour molecules pass straight through,’ says Mohammad. ‘A “sealed” bag of seed slows a rat down by about ten minutes; they’ll gnaw through it – and through the plastic bin it’s sitting in.’
Sam suggests a new location is best, saying ‘It’s best to remove these items if possible and keep them somewhere inside to keep them out of the way of pests. The next best thing is using airtight containers and regularly checking your shed for any signs of intruders.’
If you must store these in the garden shed, think practically and guard the goods. ‘Galvanised steel or heavy-gauge metal bins with tight-fitting lids are best. A metal dustbin is a classic for a reason. Rats gnaw through wood, soft plastics and even aluminium but not steel,’ claims Mohammad. ‘Keep bins raised off the floor and away from walls so you can see droppings early.’
‘Sweep under the bird feeder and decant every food item in your shed into one metal bin tonight. Remove the food source and you remove the reason to visit – everything else is secondary,’ instructs Mohammad.
More ways to deter rats from your garden
Keep an eye out for early signs: ‘Droppings first – dark, spindle-shaped, about a centimetre long, usually along walls,’ warns Mohammad. ‘Then look for smear marks (greasy rub lines at skirting height), gnaw marks with fresh pale edges, a musky ammonia smell and scattered or ‘disappearing’ seed. Rats are neophobic and cautious, so by the time you see one in daylight, the population is established.’
Block the entrance: Poison should not be your first point of call suggests Mohammad, who believes prevention is much more effective – and humane. ‘Proofing beats poisoning. A rat gets through a gap the width of a thumb – about 15mm – so seal gaps under doors with bristle strips, mesh over vents and any hole larger than a pound coin with galvanised steel mesh, not foam or wire wool alone.’
Keep the garden maintained: ‘Clear vegetation from the shed base; rats won’t cross open ground if they can help it,’ suggests Mohammad.
Keep bins tightly closed: Overflowing or poorly sealed bins are a major food source, especially in the summer with increased speeds of decomposition. Use bins with secure lids and clean up any spilled rubbish or food around them.
Remove water sources: Fix leaking taps, empty standing water and improve drainage, as rats need a reliable source of water to survive.
Call in a professional for persistent infestations: If rats keep returning or you suspect a large infestation, a qualified pest controller can identify entry points, remove the rodents safely and help prevent them from coming back.
RepellShield RepellShield Mouse Repellent Spray & Rat Deterrent
BUY NOW
RepellShield RepellShield Mouse Repellent Spray & Rat Deterrent
amazon.co.uk
£13.99
RepellShield
AMZ BRAND AMZ BRAND Ultrasonic Pest Repeller 2 Pack
BUY NOW
AMZ BRAND AMZ BRAND Ultrasonic Pest Repeller 2 Pack
amazon.co.uk
£16.99
AMZ BRAND
Pest Control Worldwide Natural Pest Repellent Balls
BUY NOW
Pest Control Worldwide Natural Pest Repellent Balls
amazon.co.uk
£14.99
Comments are closed.