Rodents digging under fence solution.

Soot2006

Rats are a part of garden life. We tolerate them but I agree the fence digging is annoying. We have a fox that periodically digs under the fence - I've tried firm mesh running underground but it just digs deeper/gets angrier and tears at fence panels ... Are they doing any damage? They won't stay long if you're not feeding them. We have many bird feeders and also a vegetable patch, so I guess they will always be there but as long as they don't come near/into my house, we can be friends.

Eldi_Dos

Disagree that rats are part of garden life and should not be accepted as such, the most probable reason you and your neighbours have rats is the debris from bird feeders.I know a lot of people think they are doing good by putting out feeders in the summer but I feel it is distracting birds from their natural way of foraging.Better to stock your garden with plants that provide a natural food source and habitat then birds can behave in a way that nature intended.

Far better to leave the feeders to the depths of winter when the birds may need help to get over a time of scarcity.

GDB2222

Do rats just follow a circuit as they forage for food? I know we have urban foxes that prowl through our garden as part of their round on a daily basis. One used to sunbathe at the bottom of the garden.

If it’s a daily circuit, it’s going to be hard to put them off. 

Soot2006

Eldi_Dos said:

Disagree that rats are part of garden life and should not be accepted as such, the most probable reason you and your neighbours have rats is the debris from bird feeders.I know a lot of people think they are doing good by putting out feeders in the summer but I feel it is distracting birds from their natural way of foraging.Better to stock your garden with plants that provide a natural food source and habitat then birds can behave in a way that nature intended.

Far better to leave the feeders to the depths of winter when the birds may need help to get over a time of scarcity.

We'll have to agree to disagree. The RSPB recommends feeding all year round, especially in areas where their habitats are increasingly limited by construction etc. The birds also benefit from our cherry trees, blueberries and vegetables, but so the rats! Seen a rat run off with huge bunches of cherries off our tree. And the squirrels And the foxes ... and occasionally a young badger ... 

 Apologies to the OP for the hijack -- I do understand that people don't wants rats in the garden, but doing a total "rat proofing" is difficult. They are agile, can jump, climb, chew, dog and squeeze through tiny spaces. I only occasionally see the ones if my garden, but I know they're there from the way my terriers react.

Grenage

I agree it's a fruitless endeavour to try and keep rats out. Remove their food source where possible.

Shelled sunflower seeds are good in feeders; generally no waste on the floor.