Solving Problems with Rodents

We have one species of rat in the UK – the Brown Rat or ‘Rattus Norvegicus’. It’s worth being aware that this is not the same species associated (incorrectly) with ‘the plague’ (that was ‘Rattus Rattus’ which is now all but extinct here). There are three species of mice you’re most likely to see in your garden – the Wood Mouse, House Mouse and Yellow-Necked Field Mouse.

Rats and mice need do little more than just be seen to have some people in a panic. The usual concern is the spread of disease when, in fact, they are no more likely to pass a disease to a human than any other animal. Indeed you are far more likely to contract something from a pet animal than any wildlife.

Rodents play an important ecological role, clearing up spilt food and providing a food supply for foxes, badgers, birds of prey, and even hedgehogs! A well-balanced eco-system will ensure that there are enough rodents to provide food but not so many that they become an infestation. A natural but not untidy garden without too much artificially added food should be about right. Issues tend to develop when a garden is unkempt, providing undisturbed, sheltered areas for nesting, or food provided for pets or birds is allowed to spill.

But the general message is, if you’re seeing a small number of rats or mice in your garden, there really is no cause for concern. In fact, you could even take it as a compliment that your garden is a healthy eco-system.

 

Common Issues #

Most gardens will have a small population of rats and mice visiting without causing any problems. But if their numbers increase or they start to tunnel under patios, decking or sheds, their presence might cause concern.

Rats can pose a threat to small, outdoor pets and will sometimes prey on them. If you keep pets outside, ensure their enclosures are made with strong mesh, not chicken wire, and any runs are sat on paving to prevent burrowing in. Enclosures are best made with metal rather than wood which can be chewed through. Don’t forget to store pet feed in metal storage units too otherwise it will be a major attractant.

Less often, rats and mice might find their way into our homes where they can do damage by nibbling on electrics. In many cases, this can be resolved by locating and blocking entry points.

 

The problem with lethal control #

Essentially, the issues with traditional methods of pest control, which rely largely on killing, are

  • methods of killing often cause considerable suffering
  • methods of killing are indiscriminate which can lead to young being left without a parent and then suffering a slow death
  • some methods of killing, such as poison, also have an impact on other species, especially the target species’ predators
  • removing individual animals is not a successful long-term solution. Animals are attracted to an area by territory availability, food and shelter. If all these things remain in place and individual animals are removed or killed, animals in surrounding territories will soon move in to take advantage of the available resource.

These issues are covered in more detail here – helpwildlife.co.uk/advice/traditional-methods/

 

What about trapping them and releasing them elsewhere? #

Some well-intentioned people are taking a more compassionate approach by purchasing humane traps and releasing caught individuals. Whilst we admire their attempts to deal with the problem without killing, this method is as ineffective as killing them. The removed individuals will still be replaced by breeding if changes aren’t made to the environment. It is also not really humane as rats and mice are territorial. Resident animals may chase away any new arrivals, causing them to flee to an unsafe area, putting them at greater risk of predation, and making it harder for them to find food and a safe nesting area. You should also be aware that you become legally responsible for the welfare of any animal in a trap and if your actions lead to it suffering, you could be in breach of the Animal Welfare Act.

Releasing live animals to a new location …raises potentially serious welfare issues
G Mason and K E Littin
THE HUMANENESS OF RODENT PEST CONTROL

The Alternatives #

Integrated Wildlife Management is a more intelligent, science-led approach to ‘pest-control’. Rather than simply shooting or poisoning the ‘offending’ creature, which will only bring about a very temporary solution, it uses an understanding of wildlife behaviour and ecology to find a holistic, humane and effective long term solution.

Removal of the nesting, shelter and roosting places can significantly reduce many types of vertebrate pest problems.
Walter E Howard
Biological control of vertebrate pests

The most effective method of resolving a wildlife conflict is to remove what is attracting the animal – usually this is food, shelter, and nesting sites. These basic tips will help to make your garden less interesting

  • Clear up any food such as pet food, spilt bird food or fallen fruit
  • Feed birds in hanging feeders, not on a flat table.
  • Trim trees and bushes so they don’t provide an easy route to the feeder
  • Add a baffle to your feeder pole to stop rodents climbing it
  • Do your composting in a secure compost bin
  • Place all refuse in wheely bins
  • Tidy up any overgrown areas which might be providing shelter
  • Store compost, logs, coal etc in sturdy sealable containers

If that proves ineffective, the next step is to actively deter the animals. To do this, you need to offend as many of their senses as possible.

Taste – add peppery products to your bird food. The birds can’t taste it but rodents don’t like it!
Smell – use commercial deterrent products such as ‘Squirrel Away’, ‘Scoot’ or ‘Keep of My Garden’.
Sight – use brightly coloured wind spinners or CDs hanging from string to create random movements to spook the rodents.
Hearing – employ sonic deterrent devices or windchimes to create unpleasant sounds.

The third step is to block access. You’re unlikely to be able to stop rats and mice getting into your garden, but stopping them getting into your house is more straightforward. Just bear in mind that they can squeeze through extremely small holes – rats through half an inch, mice as little as half a centimetre. The most common points of entry are where pipes enter your house or through broken air bricks. Pipe holes can be covered with metal plates or filled with wire wool or expanding foam. Air bricks can be covered with metal mesh such as the purpose made ‘Mouse Mesh’. If rodents are tunnelling in your garden, the most effective way to stop them is to put a paving slab down in the area. Alternatively, shingle is harder for them to burrow into.

If you have an issue not covered by this article and would like some bespoke advice, you can email using the form below. There are also growing number of humane pest control companies using the same holistic principles as us. You can find details of some here.

Updated on December 9, 2023