People have been throwing out a common garden item after seeing how it attracts rats to your yard – but some other garden entusiasts claim it’s still worth keeping around
16:51, 23 Apr 2026Updated 16:51, 23 Apr 2026
Many people have to deal with unwanted rats in their garden (stock image)(Image: Dave Harrison-Ward via Getty Images)
Gardeners are vowing to ditch a beloved outdoor item after discovering how it draws pests into their gardens. The backlash was triggered by a viral video capturing a swarm of rats congregating around a standalone bird feeder, with several managing to climb it and gorge on the birdseed.
The homeowner was so alarmed by the rodent gathering that they opted to remove the bird feeder entirely, choosing to forgo birdwatching rather than contend with the unwanted rats. However, one sharp-thinking social media user offered a clever workaround for those keen to attract birds without the rats. They shared their tip: “I wiped the poll down with olive oil it was too slippery for these little buggers, they must have food else where they didn’t return.”
Yet one user lamented: “I stopped feeding the birds because of rats, I was devastated.”
Echoing this frustration, another posted: “This is why I don’t have one!” while a fourth commented: “That’s why I had to stop feeding the birds.”
Issuing their own caution, another user warned: “Stop feeding the birds, [it’s the rats] only there for food source.”
Gardeners World notes that rats will consume everything from scattered birdseed and fruit to root vegetables such as potatoes and carrots.
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They frequently nest beneath decking, in sheds or greenhouses, and even inside compost bins or flower pots.
To keep these unwanted visitors at bay, gardening experts advise maintaining a tidy garden, regularly repositioning items, blocking entry points to decks and sheds, and removing any standing water.
Their guidance concludes: “Rats are intelligent animals, but they are usually unwelcome visitors in our gardens.
“These common rodents are generally considered vermin and can spread potentially serious diseases, including leptospirosis, which can lead to Weil’s disease.
“Rats are a common rodent in both the countryside and towns, so it’s not unlikely that you will see a rat in your garden at some point.
“To find out if you have a problem with rats, look for signs that they are living and feeding in your garden. If you find signs of rat infestation, take measures to discourage them (as mentioned above), such as removing all food sources. This should encourage rats to move elsewhere.
“The most humane way to get rid of rats is to deter them using the methods mentioned above.
“If you have tried all of these without any improvement or need to get rid of rats quickly, this may be the time to call a reputable pest control company.
“Putting down poison or traps in the garden yourself can be dangerous to other garden wildlife.”
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