It is now coming up to late summer when many crops are ripe and ready to be picked, but it also means pests such as rats are more likely to be lurking in gardens.
Rats often come near homes and gardens in search of food, which is why it is incredibly important to have your rubbish and compost bin completely covered to deter them.
Not only will rats eat away at your fruit or vegetable plants but they can also contaminate the soil as rat droppings can carry diseases such as salmonella which is harmful to humans.
However, rather than reaching for rat poison, Marcus Mueller, a pest expert from the humane animal control company Skedaddle, has shared some safe and effective deterrents to try out first
He said: “Keeping rats away from your vegetable garden can be a daunting challenge, but it is an important strategy for keeping them from entering your home.”
How to keep rats away from your garden and summer crops
Look for unexpected entry points such as trees and fences
One of the first things you should do to keep rats away is to look for entry points in your garden, such as holes in fences, where rats may be getting in.
However, rats are very clever and can enter gardens through many different ways such as climbing over fences and trees.
Marcus said: “Rats often enter gardens by climbing over fences [or] using low-hanging tree branches. You can deter rodents by properly maintaining the trees on your property.
“Trim back branches to keep rats from using them as highways. You should also collect and discard fallen fruit to prevent the rats from accessing an easy food source.”
If rats are entering from above then you can try also pouring some vaseline on your fence to make it too slippery for rats to climb over.
Install wooden fencing around your vegetable garden
It may seem obvious, but protecting your fruit and vegetable crops with a barrier is the best way to not only keep rats away from your plants but will also stop any neighbourhood cats from being a nuisance.
Marcus said: “Remember that rodents can squeeze through small holes, so wire and chain-link fencing is not always effective for keeping rats out of the garden.
“Opt for a wooden fence that has no holes in the exterior if you want to prevent rats from feasting on your garden vegetables.”
Mow your lawn regularly
Many gardeners stop mowing their lawn during the height of summer to protect the grass from heat stress but late summer is the best time to begin this garden chore again.
Rats are less likely to enter neat and well-maintained gardens as there are fewer places for them to seek shelter to hide away as well as more limited food sources to scavenge.
Marcus said: “Rats prefer to avoid interactions with humans. They like to hide on properties with tall grass to avoid being seen by people and predators.
“If you maintain your yard and mow the yard frequently to keep it from getting tall, you eliminate many of the spaces rodents use as hiding spots.”
Move your compost bin, rubbish and pet bowls
Rats will take up residence on your property and risk becoming an infestation if they have a steady supply of food.
Rodents cannot live off vegetable or fruit crops alone so will often go through rubbish and other places in your garden to find food, such as compost bins, rubbish, pet bowls and bird feeders.
Marcus said: “You should always keep your trash tightly secured in bags. Your garbage bins should all have tight-fitting lids, and investing in a latch is also a good idea if you are desperate to keep rats out.
“If the rodents can’t access any other type of food besides the vegetables in your garden, they will move in to find an easier source of a diet that offers all of the nutrients they need.”
Following these steps may seem simple but taking 10 minutes to do them is the best way to keep rats out of your garden and make sure your crops survive without any teeth marks bitten into them.
