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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think that decking is just awful

23 replies

microfight · 26/04/2011 14:35

AIBU to think that decking in gardens, especially urban small gardens, is just a haven for rats and mice as well weathering really quickly.

OP posts:
MaisyMooCow · 26/04/2011 14:36

YANBU I tend to agree

Groovee · 26/04/2011 14:37

YABU ours is a huge area without rats or mice. It's nice for sitting on and less maintenance for dh seeing as I don't garden.

WinterOfOurDiscountTents · 26/04/2011 14:39

Don't have any then.

NEXT!

noddyholder · 26/04/2011 14:40

I still like it lovely on your feet and in about 15 years of having it have never seen a mouse!

Original poster
microfight · 26/04/2011 14:43

"......decking provides an ideal home for rats -brazen super-rats that are bigger and more difficult to kill than their ancestors.

The wooden boards keeps out the cold and rain in the winter, fallen leaves can be dragged in, providing bedding, while tasty morsels from the barbecue provide a banquet.

Now gardeners countrywide are being warned by pest control experts to take action to combat the problems of the hiding place for vermin only yards from their home."

OP posts:
Paschaelina · 26/04/2011 14:44

Its vile. Neighbours have just put some down which is going to rot and collapse quite quickly because they just shoved it in. It looks terrible.

I'd rather have stones.

berri · 26/04/2011 14:44

Odd thing to not like, just another thing to walk on isnt it? Like a patio?

EricNorthmansMistress · 26/04/2011 14:47

YANBU
it's fugly. But then I have evil racist knobbish weirdo twats odd neighbours on one side whose garden is like where nature went to die. Every square inch covered in decking and 'features' so I'm a bit indisposed to it. I like green stuff.

Original poster
microfight · 26/04/2011 14:49

The problem I have is that in urban areas it increases the chance of major rat infestations and when houses are so close together it has a knock on effect. In my old house when my neighbour pulled up his decking I saw several huge rats appear from underneath! Then a few days later saw one squished on the road at the back of their garden...probably because it lost it's home and was looking for a new one.

OP posts:
Chil1234 · 26/04/2011 14:50

Our little patch of decking fits the bill, is nicer than the flagstones we used to have and we've not be troubled with super-size vermin either. We're quite good at eating the stuff we cook on the BBQ so it would be slim pickings on that score. The rats mostly live in the chicken coop three doors down :)

Chil1234 · 26/04/2011 14:53

You don't need decking to have rats in the garden, btw. Garden sheds are traditional hang-outs. And there's little point getting anxious about wildlife until it decides to camp out inside the house, rather than outside. Put food waste in heavy wheelie bins, fill in holes in your walls & take other reasonable precautions.

LoopyLoopsNincompoop · 26/04/2011 14:53

Our decking has turned the garden into a useable space. We live on a very steep hill, and had no area to play or sit. Now, it juts out to form an area of lovely flat space. I adore it.

Rats not a problem, but we do have two very cunning cats.

It looks great, and has really maximised the view. Therefore, YABU.

Punkatheart · 26/04/2011 14:56

We have rats but no decking. I feel cheated.

Original poster
microfight · 26/04/2011 14:59

chil1234
very true what you say about garden sheds Smile
Although it's the added thing that with decking there is normally food sources in the summer from BBQ's etc and often they are next to open patio doors.

OP posts:
Original poster
microfight · 26/04/2011 14:59

Punkatheart Grin

OP posts:
HughManatee · 26/04/2011 15:02

Our decking means we can use the bottom of the garden which used to be a quagmire. We've also got a fully-functioning anti-rat device - a Patterdale.

chocadoodle · 26/04/2011 15:04

I think it looks nice when it's newly done but after a few years it can end up looking a bit of a state. I saw down the gaps in the decking at a friends house and thought it looked a bit grim.

I'd rather have a patio, easier to keep clean and no need to worry about what's going on underneath it. I wouldn't go as far as to say decking's awful, but I wouldn't choose to have it myself.

sausagesandmarmelade · 26/04/2011 15:10

LOVE our decking...

Great place to sit and enjoy the peace and tranquility of our urban garden....we have grass and beds too, but the decking is best for our table and chairs.

No rats yet...as far as we know.

ClarenceChudbukitThe3rd · 26/04/2011 15:48

Dont talk to me about decking. I got fired from my job at B&Q because this fella came in and said he wanted decking so I punched him and he fell over

well he said he wanted decking

Al0uiseG · 26/04/2011 15:58

Yadnbu, about ten years ago I had decking outside my front door on both sides. Ten years later its a bloody eyesore and slippery as hell in the winter.

BettySwollocksandaCrustyRack · 26/04/2011 15:59

My decking looks fab - I love it!

MorticiaAddams · 26/04/2011 16:01

YANBU. I don't like it and much prefer a patio and yes, it's partly to do with thinking about rat nests under decking.

bethelbeth · 26/04/2011 16:27

Decking can be fugly or can be nice. It depends on your personal tastes and how much you're willing to pay for it.

Of course £40 of decking from B&Q will be hideous. Gorgeous landscaped decking with raised beds that were £XXXXX by the gardener will probably be less so.

Just be glad you have a garden moanypants Grin

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