Alan Titchmarsh has advised gardeners to leave cooked food, meat, and potatoes out of compost heaps and to position bird feeders in open areas to deter rats this winter. The advice comes as November brings a seasonal rise in rat sightings, with the creatures seeking warmth and shelter as temperatures drop.
Compost heap attracts rats
Speaking on the BBC Gardeners' World YouTube channel, Titchmarsh explained that compost heaps are a prime refuge for rats during colder months. He said: "The place they love more than anywhere else in the garden is the compost heap. Mainly by all of the heat generated by all this rotting vegetation. They can burrow into it, and then they've got a central heated house, which is very nice for winter."
The veteran presenter, 77, warned against adding certain foods to compost. He said: "What do you put in it? Don't put processed food, anything you've cooked, any meat, any potatoes, don't do that because it's an open invitation to rats."
What to add instead
Titchmarsh suggested safer compost materials, including mouldy apples, green clippings, mint shoots, and lawn mowings. He advised mixing these together and firming them down to reduce the appeal for rats.
Should a rat hole appear in a compost heap, he recommended inserting a hose pipe into the hole, noting that the creatures "really don't like swimming pools." He added that by the end of the year, gardeners should find "that lovely brown and crumbly stuff," which he is confident will be rat free.
Position bird feeders in the open
Titchmarsh also addressed bird feeders, which can attract rats if placed poorly. He explained: "The key to success with them (bird feeders) is to position them in the open, in the middle of your lawn. Rats hate running through exposed areas. Don't leave food lying around during the night. Put it out first thing in the morning."
Regular lawn mowing was another tip he offered, as rats favour cover and are averse to closely cropped grass where they are easily visible. He said: "So if you've got long grass everywhere, that gives them access just to get your mower out. Cut it short, have a stripe or two if you want, and that way you can see."
