Rats in gardens: advice and prevention

The following tips will help discourage rats from entering your garden:

• Cut long grass and trim dense bushes where rats like to hide.
• Move piles of wood, logs, or garden clutter away from your house boundaries.
• Secure your compost bin with wire mesh underneath to stop digging
• Check your house exterior for any small holes, gaps around pipes, or broken drains, and seal them up.
• Keep food sources secured…dust bins, pet food etc.
• Consider covering ponds and water sources.
• Don’t feed the birds or other wildlife.
• Check drains for signs of activity eg droppings
• If you have a shared drain that looks like it harbours rats then contact your water provider for advice.
• If the problem continues or you see more rats, contact a professional local pest control service for investigation and safe removal.

Further advice from the British Pest Control association:  Pest advice for controlling Rats

If you are experiencing a serious infestation and you have already sought expert pest control treatment but the issue is persistent then please get in touch to discuss what the council may be able to do to help. environmental.health@stroud.gov.uk 

Rodent control treatment