How to get rid of rats in the garden
Updated 22 October 2026 · By the MintGuard team
Quick answer
Take away food and shelter: bird seed, open compost, pet food and clutter. Block gaps under sheds and decking. Use repellent in sheltered spots like sheds and garages, where rain won't wash it away, and stop rats from moving from the garden into the house.
A rat in the garden is often the first step to a rat in the house. Here's how to stop it there.
What attracts rats to gardens
- Bird food on the ground or in low feeders
- Open compost heaps with food waste
- Pet food left outside, chicken feed and rabbit hutches
- Woodpiles, overgrown corners and space under decking and sheds
- Ponds and leaking water butts
Making your garden less attractive
- Use bird feeders with trays, and bring food in at night
- Use closed compost bins and don't add cooked food or meat
- Store feed in metal bins
- Clear clutter and cut back overgrowth near the house
- Block gaps under sheds and decking with mesh
Using repellent outside
Rain washes scent away, so put MintGuard where it's sheltered: inside the shed and garage, under the edge of decking and in the car engine bay. Protect the house too, at air bricks, waste pipes and the back door.
When to call the council
Many councils offer rat treatments, sometimes for a fee. If you see burrows, regular daytime activity or rats in neighbouring gardens, get professional help.
Common questions
Does peppermint keep rats out of the garden?
Scent repellents work best in sheltered spots, as rain dilutes them outdoors. Focus on sheds, garages and entry points to the house.
Get MintGuard
12 pressed peppermint balls per pack. No poison, no traps. Tracked UK delivery and a 90-day money-back guarantee.
- Tracked UK delivery
- 90-day money-back
- Secure checkout
- What happens next: 1. Pay on our secure checkout · 2. We dispatch your order · 3. You get a tracking email
Written by the MintGuard team
Last checked 22 October 2026. Plain, practical advice for UK homes. For a serious or ongoing infestation, contact your local council pest service or a qualified pest controller. Keep all repellents out of reach of children and pets.
