How to get rid of rats in the garden

How do you know it is rats?

Rats leave clear signs. Check borders, the base of fences, under sheds and around the compost bin.

Sign	What to look for
Burrows	Holes dug into grassy banks, under sheds or right beside walls and other solid edges.
Runs	Paths rats use again and again, often along fences and walls. Look for greasy smear marks where their fur rubs.
Droppings	Dark, pellet-shaped and grouped where rats travel. One rat can leave up to 40 in a night.
Gnawing	Chewed wood, plastic, cables and torn bags of food or seed.
Sightings	Rats seen in daylight, which is more common in autumn and winter as they search for food.

Not sure if it is rats or mice? Our guide on rat or mouse droppings will help.

What is attracting rats to your garden?

Rats stay where there is food and shelter. In most gardens, the food is something people put out.

• Bird feeders. Spilled seed is a reliable meal. Do not overfill, use a catch tray, sweep up spills daily and take feeders in at night. Keep feeders away from fences and hedges, because rats climb well.
• Compost bins. A heap offers food, shelter and warmth. Keep food and kitchen waste out and stand the bin on wire mesh. Turn it regularly and keep it 2 to 3 feet from fences and sheds.
• Decking. Rats nest underneath. Look for tunnelling at the edges and keep bird food well away from it.
• Sheds. Rats nest where they feel hidden. Stand sheds on a concrete base, or raise them on bricks so the gap underneath is open.
• Pet food. Food left out for rabbits, guinea pigs, cats or dogs attracts rodents. Feed indoors where you can, and clear bowls.
• Chickens. Chicken feed is food like any other. Store it in a sealed metal bin, clear spilled feed and do not leave feeders full overnight.
• Clutter. Wood piles, rubbish and overgrown corners give cover. Clear them and cut back overgrowth.

If your garden backs onto fields or woods, as many do around Stoke Poges and Farnham Common, you cannot remove every rat nearby. The aim is to make your garden the least attractive one on the road.

How do you stop rats getting into the house?

A rat needs only a 15mm gap to get into a building. Start at ground level, then work up to higher vents.

• Seal gaps around pipes with wire wool set in quick-setting cement.
• Check around windows, air bricks and gaps under doors.
• Keep drain covers in good repair and seal any disused pipes.
• Keep bin lids shut, replace cracked bins and bag food waste before it goes in.
• Do not use caulk, rubber or plastic fillers. Rats chew through them.

Do traps work in a garden?

Snap traps are the safest DIY option outdoors. Rats are wary of new objects, so they may ignore a trap for days. Expect slow results at first.

1. Buy good-quality break-back traps. Poorly made ones can injure without killing.
2. Put each trap inside a tunnel or lockable box, so birds, pets and hedgehogs cannot reach it.
3. Place boxes along runs, against walls or beside burrows.
4. Check traps every day. Wear gloves to remove catches, double-bag them and put them in the bin.
5. Keep reducing food while you trap. A garden full of seed will always win over bait.

Why is rat poison risky in a garden?

Poison works slowly. A rat can die in a cavity you cannot reach, and the smell can last for weeks. A poisoned body left in the open can poison whatever eats it.

That reaches wildlife. In surveillance run by the Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use, two-thirds of barn owls tested had residues of two or more rat poisons. Another 21% had one.

Dogs and cats can eat bait or a poisoned rat. The British Pest Control Association says poison should be a last resort, after proofing and trapping. Read rat poison, pets and children: what is safe before you buy any.

When should you call someone?

Call a professional if burrows are close to the house, you see rats in daylight or you find signs indoors. We treat rats from £149 including VAT, which covers 2 visits. We find how they are getting in and tell you what to fix.

We call back within 30 minutes, Monday to Saturday, 8am to 6pm, and agree a fixed price before we visit. Visits are usually [same or next day]. If cost is the main concern, see whether Buckinghamshire Council deals with rats.