You can find bugs that bite or sting all year around in the UK. Here is a quick guide:

Bees

There are two basic types of bees in the UK – bumble bees and honey bees. Bumblebees can sting the victim numerous times and honey bees will sting you once and leave the sting inside you and die after that. All bee stings bring intense pain, but the damage done by these bites is minimal unless you don’t remove the sting for a long time or you are allergic to bees. When you notice a bee around you, stay calm because they tend to attack people who are making rapid movements.

Wasps

These insects look quite similar to bees, but they are more elongated in shape. They give powerful bites if they believe that they are at risk. Their stings result in swelling and itching. In most cases, wasp’s stings don’t lead to allergic reactions, but since they can sting you several times, it is not unusual to witness such reactions. Just like in the case of bees, in order to avoid problems, stay calm when you notice a wasp around you.

Ticks

Ticks aren’t really insects, they are actually classed as anthropods – the same as the spider family. However, they act like insects and look like insects. They can be found in thick grass, moors, and woods around the UK. Their bite doesn’t cause pain, but it can lead to many serious illnesses like Lyme disease. The best way to prevent tick attacks is to wear trousers and shirts with long sleeves when you are walking in forests or areas with thick and tall grass.

Mosquitoes

These are one of the most annoying insects because of their buzzing and the itching they cause after they bite their victim. The good news is that UK mosquitoes don’t transfer any diseases, unlike other mosquitoes. There are specially designed repellents that you should use when you are out of your home during summer period at night, especially when you are camping.

If you are experiencing any insect infestation problems and need advice, please contact us now.

Pest Busters (Birmingham)

Highfield Farm, Middle Lane, Kings Norton, Birmingham B38 0DX
0121 695 9076
www.pest-busters.co.uk

Mice are one of the most commonly found pests in homes all over the UK. Even though they are more common in urban areas, it is not unusual to find them in more rural areas as well. One of the ways to keep your home safe from mice is to find out how they are entering the home in the first place. As the old saying goes- prevention is better than cure.

Typically, mice will enter the home by finding holes and cracks in the foundations of the building, floors and walls. Usually, homeowners are not able to identify these cracks and holes until they notice that their home has already been invaded by mice. Despite the fact that they are small, mice have a specific body shape and they are very flexible which means that they have the ability to go through small holes. So, many homeowners leave the holes they have noticed because they believe that mice can’t go through them. Unfortunately, they are wrong!

Another method that mice use to enter our homes is through gaps found in ceilings and windows and through sewer lines. If drainage pipes are not sealed in a proper way, mice can enter the home via bathtub drains and sinks. There are also many cases when mice use holes found in oven gas lines and plumbing to enter homes.

Although people report mice sightings throughout the year, it is usually the autumn months when temperatures go down when homeowners witness mice infestation. If a colony of mice gets inside a building and gets a warm and safe place and access to food, they will stay there during the cold months. Mice will proliferate very fast and it takes just a few months for a colony to spread to over 200 or more.

If you want to make sure that mice will stay away from your home, you must seal the holes and cracks that you find in your property. In addition, every window and door must be sealed effectively too.

Pest Busters (Birmingham)

Highfield Farm, Middle Lane, Kings Norton, Birmingham B38 0DX
0121 695 9076
www.pest-busters.co.uk

Many people can’t tell the difference between rats and mice. Lots of people think that mice are just baby rats or young rats. In fact, there are languages across the world in which the word “rat” is used for both animals. Even though they look similar, the fact is that there are many differences between them. There are dozens of mouse and rat species, but the fact is that there are two species that are most frequently found inside or our around our homes – the common rat which is also called brown rat or sewer rat and the house mouse. When it comes to rodents in residential areas, 95% of the sightings are actually mice, not rats.

The reason why it is important to determine whether you have problems with mice or rats is simple – there are different methods of treatment. Generally speaking, rats are a more serious problem and their presence is an indicator that there may be something wrong with your home that needs addressing (malfunctioning plumbing or drainage system etc.).

Let’s compare these two rodents and highlight the differences. To start with, an average mouse weighs half an ounce or around 15 grams while an average adult rat weighs 11 ounces or around 300 grams. Obviously, rats are longer too and they grow up to 10 inches or 25 cm while mice grow up to 4 inches or 9 cm. Even though mice have long tails (between 3 and 5 inches), rats have longer tails (between 6 and 8 inches).

The colour of the fur is another difference between these rodents. Rats have a brown to black colour with their body and upper head while their undersides are a little bit lighter. Mice have brownish gray fur all over the body even though some of them have lighter shades in different parts of their body.

Finally, rats eat almost anything – they are omnivorous. They also need to consume water on a regular basis. Mice prefer cereals although they can eat other foods too. Mice don’t need water on a regular basis because the amount found in the food is usually sufficient for them.

If you have a rodent infestation and need advice on how to deal with it, please contact us now.

Pest Busters (Birmingham)

Highfield Farm, Middle Lane, Kings Norton, Birmingham B38 0DX
0121 695 9076
www.pest-busters.co.uk

In order to get rid of fruit flies, you must first learn how to identify them. Their most notable characteristic is their distinctive red eyes. These flies are about 30% smaller than house flies – they are about 1/8 inches long. When it comes to the colour of their body, they come in a wide range of colours starting from yellow all the way to tan colours.

If you want to eliminate fruit flies without calling in the experts, you must have adequate sanitation. By doing this, you will cut their breeding sources. So, start by cleaning your bins and make sure that they have very tight lids. All fruits that are ripe must be placed in the fridge or consumed. Get proper drainage to avoid additional moisture. It is also a good idea to use screens on your home’s or building’s’ openings. Re-grouting tiles in the kitchen and bathroom can also solve this problem because by doing this you’ll reduce or completely stop water leakage. Finally, look for natural cleaners that can eliminate grease accumulation, this is especially useful in cases of commercial kitchens.

Keep in mind that fruit flies are just one of the types of small flies that are often found in kitchens, but not all of them use the same breeding sources. Fruit flies, as their name suggests, are found close to veggies and fruits – rotten or fresh. These flies can also be found flying around rubbish and organic matter.

Many people say that specially designed fly traps for fruit flies have helped them. They have a special scent that lures fruit flies in and traps them. Of course, you can always prepare a DIY fruit fly trap. Those who have a serious problem with these flies can use insecticide aerosols. Since these products contain chemicals, you must be very careful if you are spraying in enclosed spaces. There are some environmental-friendly fly products available too. You can also use drain treatments because they often use these areas to reproduce.

If everything else fails, you can call experts such as Pestbusters to help you. If you’re having problems with any type of fly infestation, please contact us now.

Pest Busters (Birmingham)

Highfield Farm, Middle Lane, Kings Norton, Birmingham B38 0DX
0121 695 9076
www.pest-busters.co.uk

Flies are one of the most annoying pests that can be found in almost every business and home in the UK throughout the year. Of course, they are especially active during the summer period. There are many fly species out there, but some of them are more common than the others. By learning more about these widespread species, people can also learn how to prevent them from entering their businesses and homes.

Bluebottle fly

Bluebottle fly, or blow fly as some people call it, is a type of fly usually found close to dustbins. They are fond of feasting on dead animals and pet faeces and this is the reason why they can be dangerous because of the different diseases they carry.

Autumn fly

This is another common fly in the UK. They love flying around cattle and horses and, in most cases, they gather around their eyes or other parts of the face. They feed themselves from the saliva, nasal mucus and tears of animals. During the night they are inactive and usually stay in buildings. The female autumn flies look almost the same as the regular house fly and they are very powerful fliers.

Cluster flies

These flies are often found living in isolated places within homes like wall voids or attics. They look for warm areas where they can hibernate during the winter months. There are many cases when cluster flies gather in groups and stay on the windows when the weather is sunny in winter. As soon as the temperatures warm up, they come alive and can become an unsightly nuisance.

Fruit fly

As expected, fruit flies can often be found on fruits or places where fermenting leftovers in veggie plots and pubs are found. They are quite small (3 mm) and have distinctive red eyes. They breed in rotten fruit and in dirty drains.

House fly

This is the type of fly that we all know. These flies carry many different diseases and they can live in almost any building. They are fond of human food, animal feed, pet food, food waste and animal faeces.

If you are experiencing a problem with flies and need advice on the best course of action to take, please contact us now.

Pest Busters (Birmingham)

Highfield Farm, Middle Lane, Kings Norton, Birmingham B38 0DX
0121 695 9076
www.pest-busters.co.uk

Mice and rats are very common pests in both urban and rural areas. Despite the fact that people have been dealing with rodents for hundreds of years now, there are still many myths related to them. In order to control rodents, it is crucial to be able to separate the facts from myths. This is why we have created a shortlist of 5 myths about rodents.

1. Chewing damage is the main issue related to rodents

Whilst it is true that there are cases where property damage caused by mice and rats is very high, it is also true that the health risks linked to rodents are much worse. After all, you can always fix the damage in your home or office caused by rodents and you can do this in a matter of days, but there are many diseases and health problems caused by rodents that are difficult to heal. These rodents can pollute food and spread different diseases. Trichinosis, leptospirosis and salmonella are some of the parasites and viruses carried by rats.

2. The perfect rodent trap bait is cheese

The truth is that professionals in this field usually use fruit, meats and chocolate. Mice like cheese, but they prefer these foods. They even like seeds more than cheese. If you are living in an area where the climate is dry, moist foods can serve as perfect baits.

3. Mice and rats leave the structure once they consume rat poison

This is another myth. Most of rat poisons don’t cause any radical changes in rats before they die. In addition, it takes a few days after the consumption before they die. The most common place where poisoned rodents die is in their burrows or nests.

4. Rodent infestation is always linked to poor sanitation

If there is a proper sanitation in the building, the chances of rodent infestation will be reduced, but this doesn’t mean that perfectly clean businesses and homes can’t witness the emergence of rats and mice.

5. Rats and mice chew solid materials to sharpen their teeth

Rodents have the ability to sharpen their teeth by grinding their teeth against each other. The reason why they chew almost everything around them is to collect materials for making nests.

How to Get Rid of Rodents

Rodents are one of the largest groups of mammals on the planet with over 3.000 species. They can be found all over the world and although they can look innocent and cute, they can do a lot of damage if they live inside your house. Rats, mice and squirrels are some of the rodents that can cause a lot of problems in UK homes. There are many people who use chemicals to solve this problem, but this procedure can be expensive and dangerous. If you are looking for a more natural solution then follow these tips.

Eliminating Rodents Indoors

First and foremost, cover and seal all the cracks and holes that can be used by rodents. After that, you will need to catch all the rodents that are already living in and around your home. You can use many humane traps to capture them and release them in the wilderness if you want. Once you have eliminated all the rodents that have dwelled in your home, it is the right time to use some repellents. Mothballs, rags soaked in ammonia, Camphor balls, wild animal urine (foxes) are some of the things that you can use in the places where rodents usually occurred in the past. In addition, you can buy a cat too!

Eliminating Rodents Outdoors

In addition to the repellents you use in your home, you can also make your garden less desirable for rodents. If you have any waste bins outside, make sure that they are properly sealed and closed. You can also use urine from wild animals like foxes on the shrubs and trees and plant mint (rodents can’t stand the smell of mint).

These are natural ways that you can get rid of rodents but there are other methods too that professional pest control companies use to eliminate rodent problems. If you’re experiencing a rodent problem and need help, please contact us now.

When people notice the presence of a single ant in their kitchen for the first time they are not unduly alarmed. However, when that turns into two, three, four and more then it becomes a bit more worrying. Anyone who has experience with ants know that they can quickly become a serious problem. They can contaminate the food, damage the fabric of your kitchen and generally become a real nuisance. Even though the elimination of ants may seem a difficult activity, the fact is that there are some repellent options that are simple and effective.

To start with, you will need to monitor their movement. They have a path which they tend to follow so this shouldn’t be very difficult. After a while, you will be able to identify the entry points used by ants. Once you have done this, you will need to block these points to stop their entry and then ideally look for their nest and use an established ant killing spray/chemicals.

The presence of a single ant in your home is just a sign that more of them will follow. They are social insects and they don’t live alone. They also use a trail so if you have eliminated them, it is a good idea to use a mop to cleanse the trail thoroughly, so other ants can’t use the same trail again. They have a strong sense of smell and they use it to travel.

If you just want to repel other ants from coming to your kitchen, you can use soapy water for this purpose. Take one capful of water and liquid hand soap and pour it in a spray bottle. Shake to create a mixture and spray the solution directly on the ants whenever you notice some of them.

In addition, you can also use a mixture of four cups of water and one cup of lemon juice to wipe the affected areas and possible entry points. The aroma and scent will make ants stay away from these areas.

Some people also use herbs and spices to protect their kitchen from ants. Garlic, chili peppers, black pepper, mint leaves and cayenne pepper have proven to be efficient natural repellents.

Some ant infestations are more difficult to deal with and the nests can be hard to locate. If you’re experiencing an ant infestation and all your efforts have failed, then give us a call. We have dealt with hundreds of ant infestations and we are confident that we can help you.

Spring has finally arrived. If you are like most people then you probably enjoy this season, but you should be aware that spring can sometimes be a pain because this is the period when many pests become very active!

In light of this, spring is the perfect time to take some measures to eliminate insects and prevent their occurrence. You should always take actions whenever you notice even one pest because you definitely don’t want to deal with an infestation later. Prevention is always better than cure, so start doing this today and protect your property from infestation.

First of all, ants start to emerge in the spring in large numbers. As we have already mentioned, it is better to spot them earlier and prevent their spreading. Luckily, ants are not that small and you can easily detect them. Another thing about ants is that the fact that they can be eliminated quickly and with the help of some traditional methods used against pests, you can soon bring an ant problem under control.

Although there are some homes that are never visited by ants, we can’t say this about flies. These annoying pests appear literally everywhere. Once the weather becomes warmer they will become very active and while it is true that they can’t be completely eliminated, it is also true that they can be controlled. If you clean your home regularly and keep food stored appropriately, flies will probably look for another place to thrive.

Spring is the period of the year when another common urban pest is activated – cockroaches. If you clean the home on a regular basis you should be able to prevent their emergence. Mopping the floors and using the vacuum cleaner to get rid of leftovers is always a good idea. They are fond of living under cupboards and cookers and where the trash is kept. They particularly like greasy areas so having a good cleaning routine in your kitchen is a must.

If you are experiencing a pest infestation and need professional advice about the best way to deal with the problem, please contact us now.

Spring is the favourite season of the year for many people. The weather is warmer but not too hot and nature starts to wake up. However, this is also the time of the year when we can see all the dirt and dust that has accumulated in our home during the dark winter days. It is not unusual to notice spider-webs and other signs of the presence of insects. Early spring is the period when insects are still in that dormant stage and that’s why acting now, could prevent problems later.

One of the first things that you should do is to fill any gaps and cracks found in walls and floors. These cracks are perfect hideouts for many bugs and especially for silverfish, who can be very active at night. If you have any potted flowers and plants on the floor in your home, now is the right time to remove them and place them higher. Millipedes and centipedes often like to come into the home and they can live right under the pot where the temperature is higher and there is more humidity in the air.

We should not forget bed bugs can commonly be found in our bedrooms. Any linen should be washed thoroughly and you should also use the vacuum cleaner tools to clean your mattress. Bed bugs can also be found in curtains so wash the curtains too. If you have any rugs that were used intensively during the winter, this is the perfect time to dust them out. In this way you will avoid fleas, especially if you have a dog or cat in your home.

Cockroaches are one of the nastiest bugs. They are attracted by the food we eat so your kitchen is a perfect environment for them. Cockroaches can live off small crumbs of food for weeks so the best option is to thoroughly clean the kitchen, remove any food debris that may have gathered under cupboards, microwave etc and keep any food securely stored.

A good spring clean now can stop pest infestations from happening so it’s worth making the effort!

For more advice about avoiding pest problems, please contact us now.

There are many people who think that only dirty and filthy buildings attract rats, but that’s simply not the case. There are several situations in which rats are found in clean and neat homes and gardens. The reason for this is simple – rats need shelter, warmth and food. If these criteria are met, they can live anywhere.

Rats and mice must be controlled because they are disease carriers and they can cause significant damage to any type of building. Proper cleanliness and housekeeping is the best way to save your property from rat infestation. Another good tip is to secure any place in your home or garden that can be used as a nesting location to stop them from coming. This could mean sealing off any gaps or holes that you have in your brickwork.

In addition, don’t forget that if you place food in your garden for squirrels and birds. that you may be attracting rats too so be mindful of this when you are creating food stations. All these tips are useful for homeowners with their own property, but what happens if you see rats in your neighbour’s garden?

If you only notice one rat in the garden of your neighbour then there’s no need to panic. Rats often pass through gardens when they are on the hunt for food. To reiterate, if you or your neighbour are leaving food for birds and squirrels it is very likely that some rats will come to see what’s going on as well!

However, if you see rats in your neighbour’s garden more than once and in numbers more than one you should definitely talk to them. They might have already taken certain measures which you are not aware about or they may not know that this problem actually exists. If they don’t know how and why they should deal with rats, then there are plenty of websites and articles that you can point them to so that they can understand what a potentially damaging problem this really is.

How to get rid of rats in the garden

Gardens are wonderful, they are a piece of nature that bring you and your loved one’s peace as you stand to look over it. When spring approaches, people many people start preparing their gardens so they can bloom with beautiful flowers or any plantation, unwanted leaves and deadwood are cleared out so that the garden is made ready. However, at Pest Busters we recommend it’s important to check for unwanted pests as well, especially rats. These creatures are experts in hiding, you may not see them as you clear out your garden, therefore it is important to know how you can recognize and get rid of them before they ruin your precious garden.

Rats love settling in gardens, no matter how small or big your garden is, rats can inhibit it and start breeding, and this is something you do not want because once these creatures multiply, they become destructive and can even enter your home and damage your properties. Your bin will make sure these creatures don’t go hungry and become a banquet for these uninvited annoying guests while trees and other wooden structures will provide them with a good playground. So, how to get rid of rats in the garden?

There are several types of rodents that could inhibit your garden, they include brown rat, house mouse, wood mouse, field vole, and bank vole. All these creatures are destructive and having them in your garden is bad. Therefore, it is important for you to find means to get rid of them before they breed and attack your home as well.

How do you know if you have rats in the garden?

Since rats are good at hiding, it may be difficult to know if you have them in your garden or not. However, once you know what you are looking for, it’s quite easy to see the signs of these annoying creatures. Yes, rats are nocturnal, but it’s very possible to see some signs of their activities during the daytime, especially when they can’t get access to food. Therefore, you need to keep a close eye on waste areas around your compound, check your bins, compost piles, pipes, and firewood stacks and you will definitely see signs that these annoying creatures were moving around. You might notice small bites on wood or paper or your discarded food may not be found where you left it. Take a close look at these little signs and they will let you know if you’re dealing with rats.

These creatures stick to the same habit always, so they use the same way each time when looking for food, so once you know where they like to get their food, so look out for rat droppings, if you notice that they are still moist, it’s a sign that they have passed by recently. And since they like nesting near their source of food, it’s possible that you find them near your rubbish beans where you throw away food.

Burrows & Holes

Rodents will hide in burrows and holes because they are located in isolated places and are usually near food. So once you suspect that there are rodents in your compound, these are the first places you should check out.

Runs and tracks

Once you notice track marks covering walls, banks and hedges and through vegetation, it’s a clear sign that you have a rodent infestation. Rodents are creatures of habit, they always use the same path when going to look for food and when going back to their shelter. If you also notice smear marks along with stone, wood or metal, such as on steps, fencing and gate posts, it’s are another sign that these uninvited guests have a home around your compound.

Rat Droppings

If you notice rat droppings that are 10 to 20 mm long, cylindrical, flat on one end and often pointed at the other, it’s a clear sign that rodents are living around your compound. These creatures can leave up to 40 droppings a day so it’s easy to notice them.

Suspicious damage

These creatures always gnaw to have their incisors short. Therefore, you are likely to notice damaged areas and even holes in floorboards and walls. They will also chew soft metal

What damage do rats cause in your garden?

Having rats in your garden is bad for your plantation and for you and your loved ones as well. Once these creatures have invaded your garden, it’s quite obvious that they will invade your home as we. These annoying creatures are dangerous because they carry diseases such as salmonella, wail’s disease, trichinosis, rat-bite fever, and hantavirus.

Rats can damage your garden in many ways. For starters their burrows can cause holes in your garden resulting in uneven surfaces, this can make your garden look unprofessional and your flowers or crops will not grow well. And when these creatures gnaw to have their incisors short, it destroys the wooden structures you might have in your garden, if you have containers and other things you keep in your garden, it will attract the rats’ attention and be destroyed as well. If you suspect that you have rats in your compound, you should avoid leaving your valuable things everywhere or else the next time you look at them they will be chewed, and also make sure you avoid leaving pet food unattended in the garden.

Eat Garden Grown Vegetables

If you’re planning to plant crops such as carrots, potatoes, and tomatoes in your garden, they will all be eaten before they are fully grown. And if you also have a storage area where you keep fruits and vegetables, it will be a target of the rodents, they will not leave a stone unturned in search of food and that’s why they even manage to locate it. If maybe thinking that your fruits are safe in the storage not knowing that the annoying creatures have already started eating them and leaving their disgusting prints behind.

Eat feed put out for the birds

If you’re keeping birds as pets, be careful on how you feed them because you may be thinking you are feeding the birds only, not knowing you’re feeding rodents too and encouraging them to breed. So make sure you avoid placing the food on the ground, but the food on bird tables or in hanging feeders and clear the feeding areas daily at dusk so when rats pass to look for leftovers, they do not find anything. If you like feeding your birds on the ground, then you’re making a terrible mistake and should change that habit as soon as possible.

Can cause structural damage

Rats cause structural damage by burrowing and gnawing, undermining building foundations, paving in patios and paths, causing settling, and damage earth banks. All these areas will require repairing and make you spend a lot of money. So to avoid such things, you will have to find out if you already have rats’ infestation, if you do, then it’s important you look for professional help as soon as possible before any further damage is done and you’re forced to spend more money repairing your properties. Rodents are dangerous in many ways and should never be ignored once noticed.

Can damage electrical wires by gnawing on them

The teeth of rats, mice and all other types of rodents are always growing and therefore the need for continuous chewing is natural to these creatures. This can be a huge problem because without protective insulation, once chewed electric wiring can easily spark a home electrical fire. Electrical damage that’s caused by rodents chewing wires must be identified and corrected quickly before the damage is too big. But in most cases, the damage is noticed far too late when an accident has already occurred because. These incidents occur when rats nest around wiring and chew whenever they want to.

Call Professional Rodent Control

Rodents like rats are common household pest invaders in the UK but unfortunately, they are also one of the most dangerous and damaging. These pets carry various dangerous diseases and giving them the freedom to breed and multiply anywhere around your home is dangerous for you and your family because these creatures cause a lot of damage apart from spreading diseases. Therefore, once you suspect that you have a rodent infestation, it is important to call for professional rodent control, only professionals can help you get rid of these pests completely without them coming over again because they have better tools and more experience that they can use to quickly treat the entire rodent infestation.

Pestbusters is a company that offers effective and efficient rodent control service to industrial, residential, commercial and retail premises throughout Birmingham, Coventry and Wolverhampton the Midlands, and the West Midlands area.

One of our effective methods in getting rid of rodents include:

• Applying traps safely and effectively to hit the rodents at their heaviest area of activity
• Monitoring the rodent activities both in your home and compound in order to know if they are truly all gone
• Cleaning up any hazardous leftovers

If you’ve noticed signs of rodents in your compound and are looking for a professional way to get rid of the annoying creatures, our team of qualified experts with years of experience in this field are ready to help you any time. Pestbusters has dealt with such cases for many years, we know how sensitive problems with rodents can be and that’s the reason why we are renowned for our efficient and fast vermin control services. Apart from rodent problems, we can also help you with insect control, bird control, and fly control throughout the areas across the West Midlands.

Report rodent problems to us for competitive prices, pest control advice, and future care measures regarding food and other rodent temptations. If you’re experiencing rodent problems or fear you might be, don’t wait till a lot of damage has been made, contact us today and we will be there to send the rodents packing.

We are pest control services specialists that follow regulations set by the British pest control association, so when dealing with us, you’re assured that you’re dealing with the best.

No job is too big or small for Pest buster’s pest control and we will work closely with you to ensure that your rodent problems are eradicated with an effective solution so that you can get on with your life normally. Our team of experts are able to discreetly and swiftly remove the problem and make sure that you can enjoy a rodent-free environment.

How to get rid of rats in your garden without poison or traps

When getting rid of rodents in your garden, you should avoid using rat poison or traps because they are a risk to your children, pets and native wildlife. So you should look for permanent solutions that will not pose a risk. Below we have listed some natural methods that you can use to get rid of rodents in your garden, they include peppermint oil, catnip, removing food and water sources, keeping your garden clean, soil netting, sealing gaps, moving things around, protecting your compost bin, etc. take a look at these in detail.

Peppermint oil

Rats can’t tolerate the smell of peppermint oil, therefore, using it to drive them away is effective and works quite well. However, you should make sure to use 100 per cent pure peppermint oil. The method involves moistening a cotton ball with peppermint oil and placing them in various places around your garden and all the areas that you suspect might have rats. Once the rats smell the peppermint oil, they will flee from the place and try to find other hiding places, but make sure all the places that have rats have the peppermint oil cotton.

Catnip

Rats hate the catnip plants as much as they hate cats, and therefore, planting it in your garden can send the rats packing. Cats are attracted to this plant as well, they love rolling around it, playing with it, chewing it, and so forth. So don’t be surprised to see several cats around your compound once you’ve planted the catnip plant. Otherwise, you should be happy about it as the cats will send the rats packing effectively. Remember to plant the plant strategically around your garden so that it can work effectively in driving the rats away.

Remove food and water sources

Removing food and water sources is one of the most effective ways of getting rid of rodents in your compound. Rats move to certain locations to have access to food, water and shelter so if you make sure these are beyond their reach, they will move from your garden to another location. You need to make sure your outside bin lids are always closed properly so that the smell of thrown away leftovers do not attract the rats, this should be done especially in the nighttime because that’s when rats come out to feed. Rats also love compost, so make sure such things are not found anywhere around your compound, bury your organic material. Also, make sure you remove all the sources of water, these can include containers, water bowls, and water dripping tape. Overall, just make sure you remove all the sources of water and food so that the rats could starve and move somewhere else.

Keep your garden clean

Keeping your garden clean is the first step to preventing rat infestations. Remove all the weeds and trim plants so that the rats do not find a hiding place anywhere around your garden. Rats like staying in hidden places, so when you remove all the possible places where rats can hide, they will not be attracted to your garden. Make sure you pick all your fruits and vegetables in time and get rid of over-ripened or spoiled fruit it’s time as well before rats can get attracted to it. Another important measure to take is sealing gaps and blocking nooks and crannies in external walls to protect the inside of your home from infestation. Taking all these measures ensures that rats do not feel comfortable anywhere around your compound, they will not have a hiding place hence they will not feel safe.

Soil netting

Rats are a problem to gardens because they like burrowing into garden beds and feasting on the crops. They particularly love the stem bases of mature crops. You can stop this by using a layer of netting just under the soil to prevent burrowing. Rats will give up when the netting has been put.

Sealing gaps

If your home has many small gaps, know that those that pathways for rats to enter your home. Therefore, once you suspect that you have a rat infestation in your garden, should make sure all these gaps are sealed. You should use appropriate sealant to block any nooks and crannies.

Stop feeding wild birds and animals

When you feed wild birds and animals, you attract rats too. All the leftovers that fall down will build and attract rats to the site. Therefore you should stop feeding birds and animals the minute you suspect a rat infestation.

Move things around

If you have a lot of unwanted things in your compound or around your garden such as piles of wood, you should move and get rid of them. Rats love hiding in such places and once you leave such things outside, you’re creating a breeding zone for rats and in no time they will find a way to enter your house as well.

Block access to decking

The space beneath the decking is the perfect shelter for rats because it also provides a perfect hiding place and also food scraps call fall between the plants. Make sure you block all the access to decking and remove all the food that falls over after you’re done eating.

Block access to garden buildings

If your garden has doors, walls and a floor, make sure you seal any hole that might give rats access to your garden. There are many ways in which you can do this and prevent the rats from having access to your crops before it’s too late

Protect your compost bin

The main reason why rats move to a certain location is food, and the biggest source of food in your compound is your compost bin. So you need to make sure it’s sealed all the time to prevent it from attracting rats, the smell of rotting leftovers is enough to have rats flocking to your compound.

Keep an eye on crops

Rats will eat anything you plant in your garden, whether it be sweetcorn, pumpkins, squash, root vegetables and apples, they can eat it all, therefore, if you suspect a rat infestation, do not eat our crops until you’ve monitored the garden properly, rats carry diseases that can harm you and your family.

Get a pet.

The biggest enemy of rats is a cat, so getting a cat can also help you get rid of rats in your garden. Pets are a good deterrent, they are a disruptive force in your garden, and they make the rats fear coming out from their hiding places. They feel threatened and would rather vacate instead of facing the pets.

Use Certain Plants to Repel Rats from Coming Back Again

There are several plants that repel rats from coming back again, these include lavender, rosemary, onions, grape, garlic, marigolds, black pepper, daffodils, oregano, etc. If you plant these around your garden, rodents will fear coming back again.

Mints for Deterring rats

Rats in the garden hate the smell of peppermint oils so if you have it around your garden, they will stay away from it.

Balsam Fir for Deterring Rats

Balsam fir oil helps to repel rodents by emitting an odour that is offensive to rodents but not to you and your pets.

Sagebrush for Deterring Rats

These plants emit a pungent scent that effectively repels rats.