Mid-February to mid-March is the perfect time for Houston residents like you to start planting the vegetable garden that will provide joy, food, and cost savings to your family throughout the year.
But here in the 4th “rattiest” city in the world, you’re going to want to think about furry interlopers while you’re planting your strawberries, starting your tomatoes, and sprouting your lettuce seeds.
Fortunately, planting a garden doesn’t guarantee an infestation. You just need to take some precautions.
What makes spring vegetables particularly attractive to rats?
If we were to tag any garden plants as being the worst rat-attractors, it would be the spring ones. That’s because they serve not only as a ready source of food, but a ready source of water as well.
They’ll take a big bite of a tomato just to get at the water inside. Sometimes they’ll infuriate you by taking a bite out of one at a time, ruining every tomato on the ground. In fact, half-eaten veggies that look like they’ve been hollowed out is one of the surest signs that rats, not birds, are the critters attacking your garden.
How quickly do garden rats become attic rats?
The “commute” from your garden to your attic is short, and it won’t take rats long at all to try to get inside your attic.
Now that they’ve found a great source of food and water in your back yard, they’re going to want to raise litters of babies in the nearest secure shelter. Your attic is practically a luxury apartment in the eyes of any rat.
They’ll try to make the move in a matter of days, so it’s imperative that you exercise proper rat control as you start your garden—not later on in the process, when it may already be too late.
How can I protect my garden against rats?
Three simple steps can make all the difference.
- Line the bottom of raised beds with ¼-inch or ½ inch galvanized hardware cloth. This protects against burrowing rats.
- Harvest your crop as soon as it starts to ripen. You can ripen green tomatoes on your counter, rather than leaving them on the vine for rats to ruin.
- If you use drip irrigation, ensure it isn’t pooling. Rats can sustain themselves for months on a little bit of standing water in saucers under potted plants.
What about chicken wire? Sadly, it’s useless. They can squeeze through the holes or chew through the thin gauge wire. Some crop cages are designed better. You want to look for heavy-gauge galvanized steel mesh cages. Pay careful attention to the size of the holes if you’re going to spend the money: rats can squeeze through holes as small as ½”. ¼” is safer, though not fool-proof: some enterprising young rats may still get through.
While no perfect system exists…some rats are going to get some berries or tomatoes no matter what you do…taking the precautions and “hardening” the target (your garden) can mean the difference between a dangerous infestation and a rat colony that moves on to a less careful homeowner down the street.
When is it time to call a professional for an inspection?
Sometimes, rats get in the house despite our best efforts. That’s just part of life in Houston.
If you see active burrows under your garden beds or gnaw marks on your home’s siding near the garden, you’re seeing signs that rats have moved from foraging to nesting, and may have already moved into your home. At this stage, you’ll need to get the rats out of your home and ensure your home is sealed off before the population expands. Contact Elite Wildlife Services today to schedule a free inspection. Protect your home and enjoy your fresh produce. What could be better?