Rats and mice are one of the biggest nightmares for gardeners – they eat your crops, leave droppings everywhere, spread disease, and hide in the most inconspicuous places. Not only that, but they multiply insanely fast.
A rodent only has a three-week gestation period. It can birth up to 14 babies per litter, and a female can have up to 10 separate litters each year – and that’s just from one of them.
So if you notice any rodent pests in your garden, you need to act swiftly to eliminate them.
However, it is best to prevent them from entering in the first place and that can be done naturally.
Plants and crops are things that can deter rats and mice, but some can also have a negative effect and actually attract them eventually leading them to infiltrate your home.
One crop rats and mice love to feast on is pumpkins. Pest experts at Pest Control East London said: “If there are rats and mice in your area, they can eat your Halloween pumpkins.
“They love pumpkins and can’t get enough of them. They will happily munch on them. Pumpkins are a favourite food for chipmunks, squirrels, mice and rats. They will attract these pests.”
Pumpkin seeds are popular amongst mice and rats too. They are a healthy source of protein and fibre and also contain important vitamins and minerals.
Pests UK also claimed that rats and mice are attracted by pumpkins. They said: “Rodents such as rats and mice will enjoy feasting on pumpkins, especially if they’re carved and open to reveal the delicious fruit inside.
“Rats and mice aren’t particularly fussy when it comes to food – they will eat the flesh and seeds of pumpkins.”
The pros warned: “Pumpkins placed outside can lure rodents to your home, which increases the risk of an infestation in or around your property.”
Gardening enthusiast Teo Spengler shared a rat problem she discovered in her garden as a result of growing pumpkins with Gardening Know How.
After getting her pumpkins to grow fast and larger, Teo began to develop an ordain issue – namely rats.
After she woke up one morning she found that rats had eaten and left holes in two of her six pumpkins, even after covering them with netting.
