Garden expert Alan Titchmarsh has advised that keeping lawns short is an effective way to prevent rats from settling in gardens. In a video for BBC Gardeners' World Magazine, he explained that rats are furtive creatures that prefer cover and shelter, and they avoid close-mown grass where they can be seen.
“Rats are furtive. They like cover and shelter. They do not like close-mown grass where they can be seen. They much prefer it longer,” Titchmarsh said. He added that long grass provides access for rats, so cutting it short can help gardeners see that there are no rats.
Titchmarsh also warned about bird feeders attracting rats. He suggested placing feeders in the middle of the lawn, away from bushes, hedges or walls, as rats dislike running through exposed areas. Additionally, he advised that compost heaps should be solid structures with minimal gaps, lined with steel sheeting if possible, to prevent rats from burrowing in.
He cautioned against putting processed food, cooked items, meat or potatoes into compost heaps, as these are an open invitation for rats. Instead, he recommended using mouldy apples and green garden clippings, which rot down quickly.
