Get Rid of Rodents in the Yard
How to get rid of rodents
Rats or mice in your garden got you down? Have no fear, this post will teach you how to get rid of rodents in the yard.
There is all manner of spots and treats in your yards that might be attracting rodents. Thankfully, with a mix of prevention and elimination, you can get rid of them for the long term.
Check out our list of steps and tips, and if you follow it closely, you’ll have a rodent-free yard soon enough!
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How to Get Rid of Rodents in the Yard
Eliminate hiding spots
Go out into your yard or garden, and consider where the rodents might be hiding. Pretty much any pile of stuff or any large object can seem like an attractive hiding spot to a rodent.
Your first step is to tear down or get rid of piles of debris or lumber and to organize equipment. You’ll also want to consider whether there are any particularly dense vegetation areas. You could do some trimming to thin out the bottom or consider getting rid of any low-to-the-ground bushes altogether.
Trapping
Trapping outdoor rodents isn’t too different than trapping indoor ones. If you have managed to identify where the rodents are hiding, you’ll have an easier time placing traps close to those areas. Otherwise, you may want to use more traps, and place them all around the property.
When trying to get rid of rodents in the yard with traps, take a moment to consider which other animals could have a run-in with the trap. We recommend using cased traps that will only fit rodents, to protect curious cats or dogs.
Baited traps work well, and there are both kill and no-kill options. We suggest avoiding glue traps or poison, however, as those can be particularly cruel and dangerous.
Seal and lock-up food sources
The main thing that draws rodents to your yard is food. Their food sources can come from your garden, pet food, bird feed, or even your garbage and compost bins.
For most of these, you can seal or lock them away by switching to more secure bins and containers. You can also keep those in the garage instead of the yard.
Where things get a little more labor-intense is when it comes to rodent-proofing your garden, especially if you grow edible plants. When the fruits or veggies begin to grow, use mesh bags, metal fencing, cages, or protective wrapping to seal them.
Attract predators, prevent water-pooling
If you live in an area where owls can nest safely, try to attract them to your yard. Owls are a natural predator to most rodents. Unlike cats, they won’t disrupt the balance of the local wildlife populations by over-hunting. To attract owls, set up an owl nest box and reduce light pollution.
Like food, water also attracts rodents, so consider the water sources in your yard. Do you have a leaky hose? A fish pond? A barrel that holds rainwater? You may want to get rid of those water sources altogether, especially by fixing leaks.
Protect your home, garage, and shed
Rodents in your yard are one thing, but the last thing you want is for the little critters to infiltrate your home. As a protective measure, make sure to scan the perimeter of your house and other structures, to make sure rodents won’t find their way inside. Tiny cracks and holes in your foundation, air vents, and even poor attic insulation can all lead to an infiltration, so make sure to seal any potential entryways.
There’s no shame in asking for help
Homeowners are often surprised by the tiny missed details that make their yard a rodent haven. While our list of suggestions should help you get rid of most of the rodent-attracting features in your yard, it’s not always easy to identify the unique situation in your home.
If you’d like some expert advice, professional rodent control can help. Reach out to us, and we’ll be happy to customize an action plan to get rid of rodents in your yard once and for all.