Just the thought of rats scares a lot of people. If an infestation then becomes reality, quick action is required. With these means you drive brown rats out of the garden.

In a nutshell

  • Brown rats feed on leftovers
  • Prevention can effectively prevent colonization
  • Carriers of dangerous diseases
  • Report rats in the garden to the health department
  • If in doubt, hire an exterminator

The brown rat

Brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) are rodents. They belong to the long-tailed mouse family. Their original home is in East Asia. Today they are spread all over the world. Wherever people live, there are rats.

features

brown rat
  • strong build with a square head, flat snout and thick tail
  • grey-brown to reddish fur, belly and underside of tail lighter
  • Body length 18 to 25 centimeters
  • Tail length 15 to 21 centimeters
  • small ears
  • Males are larger and about 100 grams heavier than females
  • Brown rats are omnivores, preferring plant foods

Notice: Did you know that rats are the most numerous mammal species in the world?

Brown rats are carriers of dangerous pathogens, for example

  • leptospires
  • salmonella
  • toxoplasma
  • fleas

Spot brown rats in the garden

Brown rats are not always immediately visible in the garden. However, there are clear signs that indicate their presence:

  • droppings: Each piece is curved and about two centimeters long. Each brown rat releases about 40 of them every day. Rat droppings are not deposited in heaps, but scattered widely. Dirt faeces and smears can be seen along the rats' paths.
  • odor: Rats give off an unpleasant odor of ammonia. However, this is only noticeable in a larger population.
  • food marks: Rats leave typical feeding marks on objects made of wood or plastic. Visible are two distinct grooves caused by the long incisors.

Fight brown rats

There are numerous ways to drive brown rats out of the garden. If these are not sufficient, a professional pest controller must be hired.

cats

Cats are good at keeping brown rats away.

Properties on which cats live are usually spared by brown rats. The rodents are already deterred by the smell of the velvet paws.

manual

  1. Try to spot the rats' paths. Look for the build.
  2. Spread used cat litter along the paths.
  3. Fill small cloth bags with cat litter and place them in places where you have discovered brown rats or their legacies.

herbal scents

As an alternative to the smell of cat litter, pleasant scents can also drive brown rats away. Effective fragrances are contained in chamomile and peppermint.

manual

  1. Drizzle aromatic oils onto small patches and place them in places used by rats.
  2. Plant fragrant herbs in the garden. Chamomile, peppermint, and lavender attract beneficial insects and deter pests like brown rats.

vinegar

Vinegar is one of the most important home remedies. It even helps in repelling brown rats. The animals have a sensitive nose and do not like the sharp smell.

Bottle of vinegar essence

manual

  1. Dip a piece of cloth in vinegar.
  2. Place this as close as possible to the brown rats' den. Stuffing the rags in the entrance to the rat burrow is most effective.
  3. The rodents avoid the smell of vinegar and look for a new place to live.

Tip: You can use turpentine as an alternative to vinegar. The pungent odor helps drive away the pests.

preventive measures

  • Eliminate food sources: Rats feed on human leftovers. If you don't dispose of them safely, they will attract bugs and rats. Dispose of leftovers in the well-closed organic waste bin or in the residual waste. Under no circumstances should leftovers be disposed of in the toilet or on the compost.
  • Secure feed bowl: Never leave cat or other pet food bowls unattended. Brown rats devour food in no time and transmit dangerous diseases to your pets.
  • close the compost heap: Secure your compost pile with close-meshed wire mesh all around. A cover is also often required to protect against the pests.
  • prevent nesting opportunities: Stored junk gives brown rats the chance to raise their offspring undisturbed. Make your garden as clear as possible and regularly clear away unused things.
  • reduce waste: Try to avoid waste. Leftover food can often still be used. Fallen fruit, for example, can be easily processed into juice. You can find numerous tips on how to avoid waste on the Internet.

Report rat infestation

According to paragraph 2 paragraph 12 of the German Infection Protection Act (IfSG), brown rats are among the "health pests". Their occurrence is notifiable in Germany. However, different rules apply in the individual federal states. Contact the responsible health or public order office.

At the latest when you discover several rats, you should act immediately!

Notice: The occurrence of individual brown rats in the garden does not have to be reported. If several animals are observed or residential buildings are affected, the authorities must be informed immediately and an exterminator must be commissioned.

frequently asked Questions

Can brown rats be caught with mechanical traps?

We do not recommend setting up mechanical rat traps. Correct handling is difficult for laypersons. Pets and children can injure themselves on the traps.

Can you drive away rats with sound or magnetic fields?

According to the Federal Environment Agency, the devices available in hardware stores, which use sound, ultrasound or magnetic fields to keep rats and other small animals away from the property, are described as ineffective.

How often do brown rats change territories?

The name of the rat species suggests a constant change of whereabouts. However, American scientists have discovered that brown rats stay true to their territory for life. It only moves in a radius of about one hundred meters.

Can rat poison be laid out in the garden?

The use of rat poison leads to bleeding and death of the animals. Do not use this method on your property. Poisoned baits and poisoned rats and mice pose a danger to children, pets, hedgehogs, squirrels and useful small animals. If in doubt, hire a professional pest controller.

Category:

Garden pests