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There’s nothing quite like spending time in your garden. You might be picking fresh fruit, tending to your veggies, or feeding your chickens. But all it takes is one small discovery to spoil the moment, a few dark droppings scattered across the path. Rats have found their way in.
Once rats move in, they won’t leave unless you make them. They’re smart, sneaky, and love any space that offers food, warmth, and shelter. If left alone, a small problem can turn into a full-blown infestation. So, what’s the best way to deal with rats in the backyard? The answer is a mix of prevention and control.
Let’s walk through what attracts rats, how to stop them from moving in, and how to get rid of them if they’ve already settled in.
Rats are driven by three things: food, shelter, and safety. If your garden has plenty of these, it becomes the perfect home for rodents. Common reasons rats are attracted to a yard include:
Even if you keep a tidy home, the yard can still offer plenty of hiding spots and food scraps that go unnoticed. A garden full of life can become a haven for pests if not kept in check.
The easiest rats to deal with are the ones that never come. Prevention is key. By removing the things that attract them, you’ll make your yard far less appealing to rodents.
Secure Your Bins
Rats love a free feed. Rubbish bins should always be sealed tightly, both indoors and out. Make sure the lids close properly and there are no holes or gaps. If possible, keep bins off the ground or in secure storage areas.
Tidy the Shed and Storage Areas
Old furniture, clutter, and unused tools can offer perfect shelter. Check sheds, garages, and storage nooks regularly. If you haven’t used something in over a year, consider removing it. The fewer hiding spots, the better.
Raise Wood and Brick Piles
Piles of timber, bricks, or other materials stacked directly on the ground are an open invitation for rats. Elevate these at least 30 cm off the ground using pallets or a raised platform. This stops rats from burrowing beneath or building nests between gaps.
Pick Up Fallen Fruit
Fruit trees are a great addition to any yard, but overripe or rotting fruit that’s fallen to the ground attracts more than just flies. Check under trees often and remove any fruit that’s been dropped. Also, keep compost areas away from trees where possible.
Cut the Grass
Tall grass, weeds, and overgrown shrubs are ideal hiding spots. Mow regularly, trim garden beds, and clear out leaves and debris. It’s not just rats who enjoy overgrown yards, snakes do too.
Seal Compost Bins
Compost is a goldmine for rats. Make sure your bin is sealed and sturdy. A compost bin that’s off the ground and has no holes or entry points is ideal. Avoid throwing cooked food scraps or meat into your compost, they smell stronger and attract more pests.
Feed Pets Responsibly
Only give pets what they’ll eat in one go. Leftover dog, cat, or bird food will draw rats in. Clean up feeding areas each day, and if you have chickens, remove uneaten feed at night.
Use Vermin-Proof Feed Storage
Store pet and chicken food in metal or thick plastic containers with tight lids. Hungry rats can chew through thin plastic and cardboard with ease.
Cover Holes and Drains
Walk around your home and check for any gaps or cracks, especially near sheds, decking, or under the house. Seal holes with wire mesh, steel wool, or cement filler. Cover open drains or pipes with mesh to block entry points.
If you’ve already spotted droppings, heard scratching at night, or noticed burrows in the garden, it’s time to act. Getting rid of rats involves choosing the right method for your space, your family, and your comfort level.
Rat poison is a common method for fast results. These baits are placed in secure stations where rats can feed safely. But there are downsides. Poison can harm pets or wildlife if not used carefully. Even worse, rats may crawl off and die in walls or roof cavities, causing a foul odour that lasts for weeks. Always follow label instructions and consider hiring a licensed pest controller if you're unsure.
Traps come in snap traps, electric traps, or live catch traps. They’re effective and allow you to monitor the problem. Place traps along walls, near sheds, or close to where you’ve seen droppings or gnawed material. Use bait like peanut butter, meat, or dried fruit.
If using live traps, check them daily and release the rats far from residential areas—or consider humane euthanasia if relocation isn’t safe or legal.
Snap traps are a quicker method and tend to kill rats instantly. However, they can be messy, so be prepared to dispose of the remains.
These devices emit ultrasonic or electromagnetic signals that annoy rodents but aren’t harmful to people or pets. Some even flashlights as an added deterrent. They’re a clean, quiet option that works well as part of a broader control plan, though they won’t solve a major infestation on their own.
If rats have taken over or you’re unsure where they’re nesting, professional help is your best option. Licensed pest control technicians like Sydney Pest Crew can assess the problem, find hidden entry points, and apply safe, long-lasting solutions that suit your property.
Our rat control services in Sydney prove to be quick and effective. We also have a winter offer of rodent pest control from $220! If you are experiencing a rodent infestation, get in touch with our Sydney expert rat removal company right away.
Rats multiply quickly. A single pair can produce dozens of offspring in a year. What begins as a few droppings in the garden can turn into scratching in the walls, chewed wires, and contaminated food.
By acting early, you’ll avoid damage, disease risks, and the stress of a larger infestation. Prevention doesn’t take much effort, and the results are worth it.
Rats may be clever, but they’re no match for a prepared homeowner. A mix of smart prevention and safe control can make your backyard an unwelcome place for pests. Keep the grass low, secure food, close up holes, and deal with problems early.
Whether you're dealing with a single rat or a colony hiding under your deck, the goal is always the same: make your space clean, safe, and rodent-free.
And if the droppings return? Don’t panic, just get back to your plan, stay consistent, and don’t be afraid to ask for expert help.
Book a pest treatment online or call us on 1300 288 342
