Rats and mice often find hiding and living space in landscaped areas, especially when there are food sources nearby. Rats will actually seek out soil to dig burrows, where they then live and breed. Even attractive landscaping can conceal or create a major rodent problem. For rodent control to work, landscaping must be rodent-proof.

Follow these 10 tips to help solve or prevent rodent problems around your property and landscaping.

1. Place enough garbage containers in eating and pedestrian areas, so food is not available to rodents. Locate containers, benches, and eating areas in open spaces, away from walls and dense ground cover (low-growing plants). Rodents like to live close to where they can find food.
2. Empty garbage containers and sweep up litter daily, especially before evening when rats and mice are most active. Don’t leave plastic bags containing garbage outside overnight.
3. Keep all vegetation 2 to 3 feet away from walls. Install a border of pea stone, about 2 feet wide and 4 to 6 inches deep, along walls. Pea stone (1/4” to 3/8” in diameter) can also be spread throughout shrub areas to help prevent weeds and burrowing.
4. Choose plants that do not produce large amounts of fruit and seed. Clean up fallen fruit and seed regularly.
5. Space shrubs and ground covers away from each other. If ground cover is essential, locate it away from potential food sources and make sure litter is cleaned up daily.
6. Eliminate and avoid planting dense vegetation. Select plants that have open or airy shapes. Space them apart, allowing light to penetrate, creating openness between and underneath.
7. Use heavy-duty refuse containers free of openings larger than ¼”. In public areas, use containers with domed lids. Inspect containers regularly and replace those that have cracks or holes.
8. Trim shrubs and trees regularly so branches do not hug the ground. This allows easy inspection and cleaning of refuse underneath, and also eliminates hiding space for rodents.
9. Remove weeds promptly to help expose or prevent borrowing, and because rodents eat seeds. Cut grass frequently so it does not grow tall.
10. Inspect landscaping weekly for rodent droppings and burrows. To determine if a burrow is active, place soil in the opening and check the next day to see if it has reopened. Use poison bait or traps when necessary.
    

Remember:
Manage your environment and control pest problems. Don’t provide the shelter and food that rodents need to thrive!