How to Keep Rats and Mice Out of Your Yard

Why Are There Rats & Mice In My Garden

Most of our yards have everything rodents need to survive comfortably. However, some yards tend to attract rodents more often for various reasons. If your yard has any of the following features, it may be more likely to attract rodents. 

Common Attractants in Your Yard

• Bird feeders/bird baths: When out of season or feeders aren’t in use, you may want to take them down to avoid encouraging rodents.
• Compost piles: A warm compost pile can serve as both a buffet and a temporary shelter for rodents.
• Chicken coops: Chicken coops offer many enticing treats to rodents.
• Debris piles: Rodents see these as safe haven from natural predators.
• Gardens or fruit trees: Collecting your fruit and veggies as soon as they’re ripe and ready can reduce the risk of attracting rodents.

Signs of Rodent Activity in Your Yard

Rodent activity in your yard can lead to a serious pest problem if not addressed. Common signs include droppings near food sources like compost piles or bird feeders, gnaw marks on wood or plants, and burrow holes around your yard’s perimeter. You may also notice nesting materials like shredded paper or grass near wood piles or sheds. Unexplained damage to your vegetable garden or frequent sightings of rodents during the day can indicate a growing infestation.

Steps to Make Your Garden Rodent-Free

Here are some of the best ways to keep rats and mice out of your yard:

Yard Maintenance and Cleanliness

One of the most effective ways to repel rodents is to keep your yard tidy.  

• Routinely mow your lawn and trim back your landscaping: Rodents can more easily hide in overgrown grass. It’s also harder for you to find and remove potential rodent food items, for example, fallen fruit, when the grass is long.
• Keep clutter, such as leaf piles, out of your yard: Rats may nest in leaf piles or use them for nesting material. Leaf piles also attract many other kinds of pests, which turn into food for rats and mice.

Secure Food Sources

Rodents are attracted to food, so secure food sources like birdseed, pet food, and compost piles.

• Regularly clean up spilled birdseed around bird feeders.
• Compost piles should be tightly sealed to avoid attracting rodents.
• Pick up dog/pet feces: It sounds gross, but rats will even eat your pet’s feces if they can’t find anything else. Don’t give them the option.
• Keep your trash in lidded bins away from the home: Rats especially enjoy the scent of garbage and will likely be able to find something inside it that’s appetizing. Rats can smell through garbage bags and will chew through them to get to what they want.

Eliminating Nesting Spots

Rodents will nest in sheltered areas, such as woodpiles, burrows, and garden sheds. 

• Seal any entry points to sheds to prevent rodents from making nests.
• Store firewood off the ground at least 20 feet away from your house: A big pile of firewood may not look comfortable to you or me, but to a rodent, few things are more inviting. It’s warm and protected from predators, and the soft material is perfect for chewing.
• As mentioned above, regularly rake leaves and remove leaf piles.

Water Management

Eliminate water sources by repairing leaky faucets, maintaining proper drainage, and keeping water features clean. Rodents are drawn to standing water, so water management is key. Rodents will follow the path of least resistance – if you make it difficult for them to find what they need, they will go elsewhere to find it.

Effective Trapping and Deterrents

Alongside regular garden maintenance, you may need to deal more directly with rodents that have appeared in your yard. Here, we look at safe use of rodent traps as well as natural rodent repellents. If in doubt, contact your local rodent pest control company.

Using Traps Safely

Rodent traps are an effective way to rid your yard of pests like rats and mice. When using rat traps or live traps, place them near known rodent hot spots, such as gaps in walls or around wood piles. Bait traps with peanut butter to attract rodents, but keep them away from areas where pets or children play. 

Natural Deterrents for Your Backyard

Peppermint oil and other essential oils can repel rodents when applied to entry points or around your yard’s perimeter. Rats and mice have an acute sense of smell, and the strong scent of essential oils can be overwhelming for them.

See our rodent treatment guides for more information about dealing with rats and mice.

Need Help with Rodent Control in Your Georgia Home?

Rats and mice are notoriously difficult to prevent, especially in outdoor spaces where we have less control over environmental factors. If you’ve tried keeping your yard neat and tidy but are still dealing with rodents, it may be time to consult a rodent control expert. 

Our experienced team will identify what’s causing your infestation and build a customized treatment plan to ensure your rodent problems are a thing of the past. Want to learn more or get started? Call us today!