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Original poster

Has anyone really had rats living under their decking?

40 replies

DemiBourbon · 19/02/2021 19:29

We currently have a paved patio (1970s/80s pink and beige slabs) and not a lot of money to spend on updating it. We can afford to have wooden decking fitted but everyone we mention it to says they wouldn’t have it as rats nest under it.

Has anyone ever had this happen?

OP posts:
Cactuslockdown · 19/02/2021 19:36

Yes in our old house. Couldn’t get rid of them... we backed on to a residential home and they had poison down and all sorts. One day a rat ran out between a friends legs when he was over for a bbq Blush

3of5 · 19/02/2021 19:36

My lovely next door neighbours spent the autumn ripping up their decking due to rats!

ThisBear · 19/02/2021 19:42

Our decking was fine, we had it for a decade and not a rat to be seen. But MIL's neighbour wasn't so lucky. It seems to be down to luck if yours is safe or gets infested, annoyingly!

cyclingtowardsbethlehem · 19/02/2021 19:43

Yes. We ripped it up and had the pest control man round as well.

wobblewombat · 19/02/2021 19:43

Yep, apparently...

Bearsbearsbears40 · 19/02/2021 19:44

No, we had decking at our old place and it was fine. I was far more worried about it being slippy in wet weather than having unwanted visitors.

marthastew · 19/02/2021 19:46

Yep. And they caused a lot of damage.

caramac04 · 19/02/2021 19:47

Could you put some chicken wire around the base or box it in with maybe a few holes drilled for ventilation? We’ve had decking for years without rats as far as I know - maybe the staffies put them off.
We did, however, have one living in the compost bin. Saw the little blighter a couple of times and it had formed a tunnel through the compost. We must have been feeding it but once it got warmer it disappeared.

SpiderinaWingMirror · 19/02/2021 19:49

Decking is known as Butlins for rats!
Get a terrier. Simplest solution

Original poster
DemiBourbon · 19/02/2021 19:49

Ah, I was hoping it was sone kind of urban legend. Tbh I hadn’t thought about it being slippy as well. I wonder if there’s anything you could put underneath to fill the void?

OP posts:
Newchances · 19/02/2021 19:52

Is this a thing? We have one,my neighbour on either side have cats which frequent my garden,this enough to keep them away?

NuttySlacker · 19/02/2021 19:55

Not for certain but we had a fierce Jack Russell that was obsessed with something under there.

As she generally only got that excited for small, furry, scuttly things then I assume rats, or mice spent time under there. We tore it up and found a perfectly good patio underneath. Win!

bagsofbats · 19/02/2021 19:56

Had decking for 15 years, no problem with rats at all, it is built mostly over gravel and rubble.

NattyDiamondDoll · 19/02/2021 19:57

I've got rats living under my decking. They don't bother me too much because I've got two dogs and they won't come out in daylight if dogs are in the garden

Maybemay123 · 19/02/2021 20:02

Yes my neighbours have this problem and they are struggling to control it - had several pest control experts out.

scrivette · 19/02/2021 20:15

We had mice living under ours and one came into the house. The pest control man said that decking keeps them in a job.

I wouldn't have it again and can't wait for it to be taken up.

Original poster
DemiBourbon · 19/02/2021 20:26

Thanks for these, I’m not going to chance it. Will have to look for other cheap options.

OP posts:
museumum · 19/02/2021 20:28

No rats here - but we do have a fox problem at the back of the garden so that probably keeps them away.

im5050 · 19/02/2021 20:32

We have had decking for over 20 years
No rats never ever seen one
But we have always had several dogs that live outside so the rats probably won’t risk it 😂
Also we never ever get any cats in our garden either

HamCob · 19/02/2021 22:20

Another yes! Neighbours cat had several the other summer and left us one next to the BBQ Confused
Then one afternoon I was enjoying a nice cup of tea on the decking and one was sat under the table.
We're having quotes for a patio this weekend. I can't stand another summer of them!

BangingOn · 19/02/2021 22:22

Yep, we inherited the decking when we bought the house and have had rats on and off for the past decade.

GorvidAl · 19/02/2021 22:24

Yes, and all the other houses near us with decking have rats too.

Original poster
DemiBourbon · 19/02/2021 22:35

Right, well that’s a definite no to decking then! Better embrace the ‘vintage’ look Grin

OP posts:
Strugglingtodomybest · 19/02/2021 22:47

We've had decking up for about 10 years now and although I have seen rats in the garden occasionally, they've always run away under the fence to the neighbours. Again, maybe the Staffies keep them out of our garden normally? Our decking is also high as we're on a hill. There's room to walk around underneath it, so that probably makes a difference too.

MilduraS · 19/02/2021 22:55

We haven't had rats or mice but I've seen some massive spiders squeeze down in between the boards. I have a fear of spiders and have to keep my feet tucked up on my chair or the slightest breeze sends my drink flying. Our deck needs replacing and having already spent £3k on our fence this year, my husband wants us to DIY it. I'm terrified of pulling it up and seeing what's under there.

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