WITH temperatures rising and the sun finally peaking through the clouds, many of us are spending more time in the garden.
But it's not just Brits soaking up the sunshine this spring – unfortunately, pesky rodents, too, like to make the most out of the glorious weather.
Although these creatures may seem harmless, rats can cause more than just a headache to those dealing with an infestation.
According to experts at Pest World, not only can rats and mice lead to a serious property damage but also cause a number of -related issues.
The pros explained: ”The accumulation of feces from mice and rats can spread bacteria, contaminate food sources and trigger allergic reactions in humans.
”Once the faecal matter becomes dry, it can be hazardous to those who breathe it in.”
Moreover, rodent droppings can spread diseases and viruses, including hantavirus, salmonellosis and rat-bite fever.
In addition to serious health risks, the pet experts warned that rodents can also ruingardensby feeding on crops including root vegetables, such as carrots and potatoes.
These animals are mostly nocturnal, so there is a high chance you may never even spot one.
Rats also tend to set up camp in dark places such as beneath decking, in sheds, greenhouses, and compost bins, making it even more challenging to deal with.
Luckily, there are six telltale signs that mean your garden may have fallen victim to a rat infestation.
The things to look out for, as featured on Gardeners' World, include:
- Runs – greasy tracks alongside walls, fences or buildings – are up to 10cm wide,
- Cylindrical droppings (around 15mm long and 5mm wide),
- Gnawed wood (especially where food is stored) or plastic, for example to access a compost bin,
- Parallel teeth marks in crops such as sweetcorn or potatoes,
- Signs of a rats nest in garden – this could be a heap or loose ball of soft or shredded materials, made up of garden materials such as sticks and leaves, or paper and cardboard,
- Burrows – signs of rats include a hole with a smooth opening around 6-9cm across, which could be the entrance to a rat's tunnel.
Have spotted any of the above? Fear not, as there are some things you can do to get rid of the rodents quickly, including removing one common item from the garden.
These hungry rodents like to feed on grains, including the ones that have fallen from the bird feeders thousands have placed in their gardens.
If you suspect a rat infestation in your garden, then the best thing to do would be to remove the bird feeders.
The pesky animals need food, water, and shelter to survive, so the removal of one of those things will make them less likely to keep visiting your garden – or camping there full-time.
If you still want birds to come to your garden, keep bird food in secure containers.
10p garlic hack
And the pesky critter , so another simple trick you can use is to plant garlic bulbs in your vegetable patch.
“Rodents hate the strong smell of garlic,” Juanita Schulze, a from David’s Garden Seeds told Flying Eze last year.
“Garlic does not come from seeds, but get some garlic bulbs and plant those in your garden to keep rodents away.”;
Juanita added: “Another garlic tip is to chop garlic finely and boil in water.
“Then strain the garlic pieces out and put the garlic water in a spray bottle.
“Spray the bottoms of your plants to keep the rodents away. Spread chopped garlic around the outside of your garden.”;
