Alan Titchmarsh has shared advice on keeping rats out of gardens, warning that certain foods should never be added to compost heaps. With November bringing colder temperatures, rodents often seek warmth and shelter, and a compost heap can become an inviting home.
Why compost heaps attract rats
Speaking on the Gardeners' World YouTube channel, Titchmarsh explained: “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.”
To keep compost rat-free, he said: “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 you can compost safely
Titchmarsh added: “What you can put in, in terms of food, you can put in mouldy apples. Apples go in and any green clippings from the garden, these are. Mint shoots that I've been cutting down, anything soft and green, lawn mowings yes they can go in but try and mix them all together and firm them.”
If a rat hole is spotted in the heap, he recommends inserting a hose pipe into the hole, as the creatures “really don't like swimming pools.” He added that by the end of the year, gardeners should have “that lovely brown and crumbly stuff” which he is confident will be rat free.
Other tips to deter rats
Titchmarsh also advised on bird feeder placement, saying: “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.”
He also suggested cutting the lawn, as rats dislike close-mown grass. 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.”
