An experienced Irish horticulturist says simple garden hygiene steps are the most effective rat deterrents to stop the unwelcome intruders from nesting in your gardenLiam Mcinerney, Laura Lyne Reporter and Anita McSorley
09:05, 05 May 2026
There’s certain garden errors to avoid if you don’t want rats in your garden (stock image)(Image: Ian_Redding via Getty Images)
As milder weather draws more people right across Ireland outdoors, worries about rats in gardens are coming back to the fore.
One seasoned Irish horticulturist reckons the problem is far more common than most people think – and that stopping it boils down to straightforward measures that often get ignored.
Peter Dowdall, known as The Irish Gardener, has called on households to focus on basic garden cleanliness instead of depending on quick solutions, cautioning that rodents are a regular presence in gardens throughout the country.
He said: “Rats, it comes down to, and it’s not a miracle thing, but if you want the proper answer to it, rats are in probably 100% of gardens and they come out at night time when they are not seen and the garden is quiet.
“It is all about making sure you are not giving them a reason to stay in your garden, that you are not giving them a reason to nest, it comes down to a lot of hygiene really.”, reports the Irish Mirror.
Many people have to deal with unwanted rats in their garden (stock image)(Image: Dave Harrison-Ward via Getty Images)
With over 30 years of hands-on experience in gardens throughout Ireland, Dowdall explained that the secret to deterring rats is eliminating what draws them in – especially food, water and shelter. He cautioned that one of the biggest blunders is getting rid of food waste improperly, which can rapidly attract rodents and prompt them to make themselves at home. He said: “Never throw cooked food waste into an open compost bin because that will draw rats. If you give them a food source, a water source, and somewhere safe to nest, then they will stay, so it is all about cleanliness in the garden really in terms of hygiene.
“Not leaving stuff that would be attracted to rats and nesting sites and food sources. If you can make sure you are not leaving them in the garden, then that’s as much as you can do really against rats.”
His guidance comes as garden centres right across Ireland experience a seasonal spike in shoppers eager to spruce up their outdoor areas. Yet Dowdall warned that growing enthusiasm for gardening can occasionally result in choices that damage the environment.
Peter Dowdall at Chelsea Flower Show(Image: RSVP Live)
He pointed to what he called a commonly purchased but troublesome lawn treatment product, frequently marketed as an easy all-in-one fix.
He explained: “When it comes to the lawn, I would imagine that one of the best selling products in garden centres at this time of year is what is called the triple action products which are bags of lawn feed with the moss killer and the weed killer built in.
“They are very ecologically damaging. It is like blanket bombing your lawn. So, you are feeding the grass which is grand, but you are also applying chemical moss killers and chemical weed killers to the lawn, many in areas that don’t need it. They don’t have weeds or moss so you are just blanket bombing it.”
Dowdall warned that the consequences of these products stretch far beyond needless chemical use, cautioning that they could also present hazards in household environments. He noted that applying treatments to lawns where they are not required – particularly in areas frequented by families – should be given careful thought, especially in spaces where children are likely to play.
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