How to Get Rid of Rats Outside: A Comprehensive Guide

Are rats ruining the peace and comfort of your outdoor spaces? It’s annoying to see these uninvited guests in your garden, gnawing at plants, leaving droppings and posing health risks.

Ignoring a rat problem is unpleasant, and it can also cause property damage, contamination, and even the spread of disease.

The good news? You don’t have to put up with it. With our advice and guidance, you can effectively keep your garden rat-free without having to rely on harmful chemicals.

Let’s explore various ways to help you reclaim your garden and get rid of rats outside.

Why are rats in my garden?

There are a few reasons why rats are attracted to your outdoor spaces; common attractions include:

Food sources: Accessible food, bird feeders, fallen fruits and unsecured bins all give rats an easy meal.
Shelter: Overgrown vegetation, wood piles, and cluttered areas are all ideal nesting sites for rats to make a home.
Water: Standing water from birdbaths, leaky hoses, or pet bowls will attract rats that are seeking hydration.

How to deter rats from garden

Preventative measures are the best way to prevent rats from invading your outdoor space. Try these tips to deter rats.

Eliminate food sources

Keep pet food and birdseed in airtight containers.
Use bird feeders that are squirrel-proof to help minimise spillage.
Regularly harvest ripe fruits and vegetables, and ensure that you clean up any fallen produce.
Secure your rubbish bins with tight-fitting lids and double-bag rubbish where necessary.

Remove shelter opportunities

Keep your garden tidy by trimming overgrown vegetation and removing clutter.
Store firewood and other materials at least 18 inches off the ground and away from walls.
Seal gaps and holes in sheds, garages and other outbuildings to prevent nesting.

Eliminate water sources

Fix leaky hoses and outside taps quickly.
Empty standing water from birdbaths and plant saucers regularly.
Ensure that there is proper drainage within your garden to stop water from accumulating.

How to get rid of rats outside naturally

Several natural methods can help you keep rats at bay without using poisons in your outdoor spaces.

Peppermint oil

The strong scent of peppermint repels rats. Soak cotton balls in the oil and place them around your garden, especially near entry points. To keep them effective, refresh them every few days.

Planting mint

Grow mint plants along the perimeter of your garden to act as a natural deterrent. The strong scent overwhelms the rodents’ senses, which can stop them from entering.

Garlic and onion

The strong smell of garlic and onion is another way to keep rats at bay. Slice them up and place them around the garden, especially where you think they might be entering, to help keep them away.

Essential oils

Peppermint oil, eucalyptus, and citronella can also be effective at keeping rats away. You could try mixing them with water and spraying the solution around your garden.

Best way to get rid of rats in the garden

Rats are mostly nocturnal, so it might be that you’re not actually seeing them entering or leaving your garden, but they certainly leave signs that they’ve been there.

If you want to try some failsafe methods to keep these rodents away from your outdoor spaces, consider these tried-and-tested methods.

Humane traps

Humane traps are an option for removing rats without harming them. Live catch traps allow you to capture rats alone and relocate them.

Place these traps along the paths that rats are taking into your home and check them frequently.

When releasing the rats, you must move them at least three miles away from your home. A suitable location would be a woodland area close to a water source.

Seal entry points

Take time and effort to prevent rats from entering your outdoor area, and seal the areas where you suspect they may be entering.

Inspect your home for cracks and holes, paying close attention to doors, windows, and pipes that enter and leave the home.

Use materials that rats can’t chew through, such as steel wool combined with caulk or metal mesh. Cover vents and chimneys with grates or mesh to prevent entry.

Encourage natural predators

To control the population of rats, you can promote the presence of their natural predators. One way to do this is to install owl nesting boxes to attract owls.

Cats and certain dog breeds are natural hunters and can often help to deter rats from frequenting your garden.

Do rats carry disease?

Yes, rats carry diseases. That’s why it’s important to handle any rat infestations promptly to reduce the chance of health risks. Rats are known to carry diseases like leptospirosis, listeria, salmonellosis, and hantavirus.

Stop rats in your garden

Consistency is the key to keeping your garden rat-free. Therefore, you must spend time regularly ensuring that you’re actively deterring them.

Inspect your garden regularly, and if you spot signs of rats, act quickly to prevent them from returning.
Continue to practice good sanitation and maintenance to ensure your outdoor space isn’t attractive te rodents.

Knowing when to call the professionals when there are rats in your garden

We’ve offered a number of DIY solutions to help you get rid of rats, but sometimes, a problem can grow beyond what home remedies can handle.

Despite your efforts, if rat activity continues, it might be time to call in the professional.

Furthermore, if rats have entered difficult-to-reach areas like walls, attics, or basements, expert intervention is crucial.

Call Premier Pest Control today to get a thorough inspection, targeted treatments, and long-term prevention strategies that are tailored to your situation.

Our trained pest control experts will quickly and safely work to eradicate the infestation, helping to provide peace of mind in a rat-free home.

Getting rid of rats outside doesn’t have to be an overwhelming task. With the right approach, you can keep your garden and outdoor spaces clean, safe, and rodent-free.