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Rats can feed on the fruit and vegetables that we intend to eat, either while it is growing or after it has been harvested and is being stored. Rats will take food provided for wild birds, poultry and pets.
Your rat’s diet. Rats are omnivores - this means wild rats eat a mix of plants and lean meat. The best diet for your rat will be one that’s as close to a natural diet as possible. Top tip: Suddenly changing your rat’s diet can upset their stomach.
- Stop Feeding Wild Birds and Animals
- Keep The Garden Tidy
- Move Things Around
- Block Access to Decking
- Block Access to Garden Buildings
- Protect Your Compost Bin
- Keep An Eye on Crops
- Remove Water Sources
- Encourage Predators
- Control Them
Rats feed on grain and may be attracted to your garden by fallen food from bird feeders. Stop feeding birds if you suspect rats are visiting your garden, and secure chicken runs. Store bird and other animal food in secure containers.
Tidy gardens are less likely to attract rats as they provide less cover. Keep grass short, clear cluttered storage areas, remove rubbish and reduce overgrown areas, especially near fences or garden buildings. Looking for a new lawnmower? Our experts have put a range of models through their paces to find the best cordless mowers, best robotic mowers...
Rats are ‘neo-phobic’, which means they have a fear of new things. They don’t like disruption to their territory, so place obstacles in their runs and move things around in the garden frequently.
The space beneath decking is perfect for rats – it’s sheltered, hard to reach and food scraps can fall between the planks. Sweep up any fallen food after alfresco meals. Block access if possible or consider installing a patio instead, if the problem persists.
Block any holes in the walls, floors and doors of your garden buildings securely. You could add a metal ‘kick plate’ to your shed door to prevent entry.
Make your bin or heap uninviting – don’t add food scraps and keep it moist (which rats don't like) by including plenty of green and brown materials. Watering the heap regularly can also deter them. Fixing chicken wire around the base of the bin can also help, as it prevents rats from being able to dig beneath the bin to climb inside. Turn the heap ...
There’s not much you can do to keep rats off your crops. Rats will eat sweetcorn, pumpkins, squash, root vegetables and apples, so once harvested, store them somewhere secure. If you suspect that stored or growing crops have been nibbled by rats, don’t eat them. Rats also eat seeds, so store them securely.
Rats can’t survive without water. While it's not advisable to remove garden ponds or bird baths, removing other sources of water, including dripping taps, can help deter rats, Secure drains and add baffles to drainpipes.
Rats form a substantial part of a fox's diet, so – where possible – it's a good idea to give foxes space to live in your garden or allotment, too. Pets can also deter rats, as they can be a disruptive force in the garden, making the rats less likely to stay.
As an absolute last resort, you may consider taking stronger measures to control rats. Do this only after all other efforts to deter them have been exhausted, as poisons can harm other wildlife in your garden and can get into the wider environment. First, identify where the rats are living and feeding routes they take between them – in neighbouring...
- BBC Gardeners' World Magazine
Jul 19, 2024 · In a garden setting, rats typically eat plant matter, including seeds, grains, nuts, fruits, and vegetables. However, their diet is not limited to plants alone; they will also eat insects, slugs, and even food scraps if available.
- Glen Chandler
Jun 13, 2017 · Mice and rats are true omnivores and will eat almost anything; including invertebrates, meat, fish, fruit, berries, plants, buds, vegetables, fungi, bone, eggs and even candles and soap! .
Feb 5, 2024 · In natural environments, rats lean towards a vegetarian diet and predominantly consume fruits, plants, and seeds. Urban rats, on the other hand, have adapted to scavenging and often feast on garbage, meat, pet food, and even human leftovers.
Oct 3, 2024 · Key Takeaways. In the wild, rats eat a variety of foods, including nuts and seeds, plants, fruits, insects and small invertebrates, fungi, carrion, and garbage and human scraps. In the house, rats eat grains and seeds, fruits and berries, nuts, meat scraps, pet food, and garbage. If you have a rat infestation in your house, contact a ...
