There are a large number of things that will attract rats to your yard.
It is a huge challenge to stop rats from getting near your home, but if you learn what they are attracted to, you can remove these attractants to reduce infestation.
This post will answer the question: Does mulch attract rats?
Before we can understand how to get rid of them, we first ned to understand what rats are attracted to!
First up, let’s find out what mulch is.
What Is Mulch?
Mulch is material that is placed over soil and is used mainly for the following tasks:
- Keeps soil moist
- It helps to stop weeds from developing
- It makes flower beds look good
- Protects against frost
As it helps keep the soil moist, it helps the environment as you use far less water than you would without mulch.
There are two types of mulch: Organic and inorganic. Let’s take a look at both.
Organic Mulches
As you would expect, organic mulch is made up of organic matter. Including:
- Bark
- Grass
- Compost
- Paper/Card
- Leaves/Flowers
- Pine needles
- Seaweed
- Wood chips
Inorganic Mulches
Inorganic mulches are made up of inorganic matter. For example:
- Rubble
- Slate
- Shingles
- Plastic
- Tires (or other rubber)
Does Mulch Attract Rats
We know that rats are attracted to certain things in and around your home. They are attracted because it offers them something they need to survive. Here is a rundown:
- Shelter
- Food
- Water
- Bedding
Going back to mulch. Does it offer any of these to rats?
The answer is yes; inorganic and organic mulches do attract rats.
Mulch offers:
- Water – as it retains moisture, the rats may use it to get liquid.
- Shelter – a rat can hide in mulch, which means it provides cover from predators.
- Bedding – Rats may use mulch for bedding if it has a nest or burrow nearby
Prevention
Preventing rats from getting near your mulch is a challenge! You can only do this by setting some (live catch) rat traps nearby, with some rat bait to entice the rat to the trap.
You could apply the mulch in an area frequented by a predator, such as a cat, dog, or owl. If the rat is desperate, it will go near your mulch.
The good news is that the mulch is unlikely to be the only thing attracting the rat. It could be:
- Easy access to your home
- Yard cover from predators (think trees, bushes, etc.)
- Food from fruit trees or vegetables
- Bird feeder
Ultimately, if you notice a rat in your yard or garden, take some time to check for other things they may be attracted to.
Please do not consider using rat poison! It doesn’t discriminate, and you may kill something other than a rat.
Conclusion
We learned in this post that rats are attracted to mulch. We also learned that it is unlikely to be the mulch the rat is attracted to.
And if you want to get rid of rats, you need to understand what they are attracted to!
If you notice a rat this close, you should be looking to protect your home. Start by checking for common rat entry points, and seal them up.
Remove any attractants from your yard, and set some live catch traps in and around your home to catch any that get close.
Looking around your yard for signs of a rat burrow would be best. These are easy to miss and can lead to an infestation if left.
Good luck.
