Rats can become a serious problem when they start to occupy houses, gardens, or yards. They can cause a surprising amount of damage to a property in a short period and even pose health risks to people.
How to get rid of rats from your yard? There are several ways to get rid of rats from your yard, and some of them are:
- Snap Rat Traps—These traps are intended for those who wish to kill rats instantly. For best results, use baits like peanut butter or meat to lure rats into the trap successfully.
- Live Catch Traps—These traps are the most humane way of getting rid of rats on your property. This allows you to relocate captured rodents alive to their new place away from your home.
In this article, we’ll discuss other methods of eliminating rats from your yard, aside from the ones given above. Furthermore, by reading on, you’ll be able to tell if you have rats in your yard and many more!
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What Attracts Rats to Your Yard?
Odors coming from garbage containers, barbecue grills, bird feeders, pet waste, pet food, and even from fruits and nuts lure rats and mice in your yard. To prevent rats from entering your property, ensure your yard is clean and free from any food crumbs.
Do Rats Come Out During the Day?
Rats are nocturnal creatures, but they come out during the day to forage. This is also often a sign of a bigger infestation.
How to Tell if You Have Rats in Your Yard?
There are several ways to tell if you have rats in your yard, and among them are the following:
Rat Droppings
If you’ve seen shiny black droppings in your yard that are 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch long, you could be having rats within your premises. Observe if you still see these tiny droppings on your lawn.
If you still see the same thing the next day, take action and look for ways to repel rats on your property.
Rat Holes
Another way to tell that you have rats in your yard is by seeing rat holes. Rats, particularly brown rats, are well known for excavating expansive burrow systems for nesting, shelter, and food storage.
If you believe you have rats, it’s necessary to act fast to manage the infestation level and lessen the health risks posed by these rodents.
Is It Bad to Have Rats in Your Yard?
Having rats in your yard or garden isn’t good, as they will not only damage and contaminate your vegetables, flowers, and plants but can also pose health risks to your family and pets.
Moreover, some rats can also cause unsightly lawns due to the rat holes they create.
How to Keep Rats Out of Your Yard?
To keep rats out of your yard, you must discourage them from living in your yard. To do this, keep your yard well-trimmed and remove any piles of debris, wood, brush, compost piles, and overgrown shrubs, as this will entice rats over time.
How to Deal With Rats in Your Yard?
Even if you have gotten rid of rats inside your home, it won’t be long-lasting if there are still rats outside your residence. This is particularly true right before the winter months as rats begin to invade homes, seeking food and shelter.
With that in mind, here are some ways to deal with rats in your yard:
1. Maintain Your Lawn and Garden
Rats dislike open spaces as it leaves them vulnerable to their predators. So, always make sure to keep your garden and lawn clutter-free, trimmed, and clean.
It’s the best way to dissuade them from living around your premises. To do that:
- Trim your grass as needed.
- Remove piles of wood and leaves.
- Close tightly and lock your storage.
- Seal the exterior garbage containers.
Finally, ensure that rats don’t have food access outside your house by cleaning up pet and bird food or fallen fruits and vegetables in the garden.
2. Call In The Birds
Birds are among the natural predators of rats. Owls, in particular, can eat at least a dozen rats or mice in just one night!
To entice owls and other birds to your property, focus on creating an ideal habitat for them. Add a water source, such as a birdbath for your garden, or consider constructing a nest box to draw birds and prevent rodents from invading your space.
3. Use Dry Ice
Another practical method to get rid of rats without poisons is dry ice. Dry ice builds carbon dioxide, which anesthetizes and eliminates rats. Before the application, make sure to wear gloves to avoid damaging your skin.
4. Set Traps
Traps are one of the most practical ways to eliminate rats fast. You can opt for snap traps with peanut butter bait to lure rats into your trap.
When placing the trap, put a small amount of peanut butter, about the size of a pea, on the snap trap’s bait pan.
5. Contact A Professional Pest Management Company
Pest control services are some of the best and safest ways to get rid of rats in your home. Pest control professionals have extensive experience dealing with rodent problems both in small and large-scale issues.
They know eco-friendly ways to manage outdoor rat populations and use chemicals safely when needed.
Does Bleach Keep Rats Away?
Due to the strong scent of bleach, it makes an effective repellent for rats. To apply:
- In a clean spray bottle, put a portion of bleach and water.
- Shake lightly and spray on areas where you often observe rat activities.
Will Vinegar Deter Rats?
Vinegar has a pungent smell, which is enough to keep rats away temporarily. The scent will make them wary that something has altered in their environment and thus, keep away from places with such a scent.
Does Cinnamon Keep Rats Away?
Cinnamon contains a sharp, spicy aroma that rodents despise. This can be in the form of oil, powder, or sticks. Just spray the solution near the affected area for oil, or put a bundle of stick cinnamon close to the site.
Do Rats Hate Mothballs?
Rats don’t hate mothballs as much as vinegar since they only contain a small amount of naphthalene, as they’re not strong enough to get rid of rats and other rodents.
Does Garlic Keep Rats Away?
Garlic keeps rats away due to its sharp aroma, attacking their heightened sense of smell. To apply:
- Dice or sprinkle garlic cloves in the affected area to affect the rat’s heightened sense of smell.
How to Get Rid of Rat Holes in Your Yard?
To effectively get rid of rats in your yard, you have to address the food and shelter issue first. Rats are attracted to places where they can get both of these things.
So, deal with these things first to avoid facing the same issue again. Now, here are the steps that you can use to get rid of rat holes in your garden:
Step 1: Flush Out the Hole
This is a practical method to consider and can also be humane if done precisely. Grab your garden hose and put water into the holes. If a rat is currently in the hollow, the rodent will scamper out of the hole and leave it for good.
You can use this approach for any holes that you see around your garden.
Step 2: Apply Deterrents Around the Hole
The next step you should take is to apply deterrents, such as peppermint oil, black pepper, etc., around the rat’s excavation area to prevent rats from digging new cavities. It’s firmly advised not to use rodent poisons in your home or garden, particularly if you have children or pets.
Always consult with a pest control professional before applying any toxins to ensure no harm will be inflicted on your family and pets.
Step 3: Keep Your Garden Well Maintained
Rodents will still occasionally roam around the well-maintained home and outdoor areas, but clutter and dense areas are two factors that draw rats to your garden fast. It is essential to keep all bushes and grass trimmed and well-maintained.
It will also help to clean and remove piles of woods, water reserves, ease of access to pet food and trash bins until you have cleared your garden from rats. Make sure to frequently clean your garden to prevent rats from building a den in your garden.
Step 4: Block the Holes With Mesh or Chicken Wire
The final step will be blocking the holes with chicken wire or mesh. Avoid using plastic, caulk, or paper to block rat holes, as they can gnaw them effortlessly.
Consider using chicken wire or wire mesh to block the holes and prevent rats from re-entering the holes again.
Summary
Rats cause many problems within a property, so it’s best to deal with them right away. But, before any applications to deter rats, determine the cause of the situation.
There could be something that attracts them to your place. It could be overgrown grasses, stagnant water, and food available in your home. After that, you can consider using the methods above to get rid of your rat problems.
List of Sources
Effects of Cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia) Consumption on Serum Lipid Profiles in Albino Rats