Have you ever wondered what Alan Titchmarsh’s advice for keeping rats out of your garden might look like? You’re in luck; Gardening Guru has some top tips for keeping them out of your garden before the warm weather, but one of their tips is a bit divisive, with no mow may come.
One of Alan Titchmarsh’s key pieces of advice How to keep rats out of your garden Almost entirely revolves around your state lawn. Why? Well, because he says that letting your grass grow unchecked creates the perfect environment for rodents to roam undetected.
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‘Cut it short… and as you can see, no rats.’
(Image credit: Getty/Sandra Standbridge)
On the surface, it’s classic, common sense gardening advice; Tidy spaces are less inviting to pests, after all. But there’s just one problem: it clashes directly with one of the UK’s biggest Wildlife movement, No moveWhich starts this weekend.
While Alan Teachmarsh shared his advice last summer, the presenter and gardener is known to be skeptical of the No Move May movement.
Led by conservation groups, No Mo May encourages bees to put away their lawnmowers for months so wildflowers and grasses can grow freely. The goal is to support pollinators such as bees and butterflies, which rely on these habitats for food and shelter.
With more than half of Britain’s butterfly species in decline since 1976, many experts are urging gardeners to take a more relaxed approach to lawn care… even if it means a slightly wilder-looking garden.
So, do gardeners have to choose between supporting biodiversity and keeping pests at bay? Well, not necessarily…
If you want to help local wildlife And Follow Alan Titchmarsh’s advice to keep rats out of your garden, says Nick Ee, Product Manager Blake + DeckerBelieve that there is a middle ground that allows you to do both.
‘While our grassroots campaign focuses on helping people create good-looking gardens for their enjoyment, we are equally committed to encouraging participation in No Mo May as a way of creating healthy spaces that support the UK’s biodiversity,’ he explains.
Instead of giving up mowing altogether or sticking strictly to a short lawn, Nick suggests a more flexible approach: zone your garden. ‘If you’re keen to take part in No Mow May but are concerned that long grass may attract unwanted pests, try dedicating a small section of your lawn to free-growing,’ he advises.
(Image credit: Getty Images/Jackie Parker Photography)
By keeping the rest of your lawn trimmed and framing your long grass area with a border or low fence, you can reduce the likelihood of more rodents entering your garden and still provide valuable items. residence For wildlife.
It’s a practical compromise, basically, and it reflects how many modern gardeners are rethinking their outdoor spaces.
If you plan to follow Alan Titchmarsh’s advice to keep rats out of your garden, Nick suggests focusing your wildlife efforts away from the usual tactic of making your lawn grow wild.
‘To support wildlife after No Mow May, try building something like a bee hotel,’ he says, adding that placing it in a sunny, sheltered spot near pollinator-friendly plants can further boost your garden’s biodiversity.
Other tips for getting rid of rats
Lawn tips aren’t Allen’s only advice for keeping rats out of your garden this spring and summer. His other top tips for making rodents feel ‘less comfortable’ in your garden include keeping an eye on your compost pile or bin, where rodents gravitate to because of the heat.
‘Make sure the structure is solid, I have really strong wooden sides, but most of all I also have steel sheets around the back,’ he says, tapping his compost container. He continues that they can bury down, but it makes it difficult for them. He also recommends avoiding adding any cooked or processed food to your compost pile, as it’s just an ‘open invitation to rats’.
He also points out that bird feeders can be a magnet for rodents, so he recommends placing them in an open area in the middle of the lawn, as rodents hate running through open areas. It is also worth investing in A rodent-proof bird feeder like this one on Amazon.
The Swiss
Bird Feeders Hanging Station
Charles Bentley
Charles Bentley Ward 220l Ecomax Environmental Garden Composter
Made from hardwearing and durable plastic, this compost bin won’t be easy for mice to find their way into.
Pat ting
Wooden Insect House Hotel Eco Friendly Bee Ladybug Butterfly Insects 25.5cm
If you want to follow Alan’s advice to mow the lawn even in May, the bug hotel will still help encourage insects and other wildlife in your garden.
The trick to keeping rodents out of your garden sustainably is, essentially, to try to combine careful maintenance with purposeful wild spaces so you can create a garden that’s both beautiful and rewarding… one that supports wildlife without rolling out a welcome mat for insects.
