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Gardening

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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:
horridhorrid · 19/02/2021 23:21

We had them living in a hollowed-out void under our previous shed. If they want to live in your garden, they'll find somewhere, whether you've got decking or not.

7Days · 19/02/2021 23:28

It's not that they want to live in your garden.
It's more like if your garden is hospitable to them, they will.
Decking and compost bins suit them.

TheRuleofStix · 19/02/2021 23:30

Yep. We had rats, mice and it’s slippery and dangerous. Bloody awful stuff. We couldn’t wait to get rid of it.

TheRuleofStix · 19/02/2021 23:32

Google Alan Titchmarsh and decking!

waterlane · 19/02/2021 23:33

Yes we did!

StormBaby · 19/02/2021 23:36

We would have rats regardless of the decking because we back on to a river

5zeds · 19/02/2021 23:36

Yes we did. We moved so don’t know if they are still there. I would never have decking again.

7Days · 19/02/2021 23:38

What did Alan titshmarch say about decking

lydia2021 · 19/02/2021 23:39

Yes rats like to be warm and dry. They like to live under decking and garden sheds. They also like compost heaps. If compost heap is kept wet with rain water or hosepipe they move on.

Iggly · 19/02/2021 23:42

It’s not rats in the garden which is the bother, but if they come into your house.

Our neighbours had rodents under theirs and they got into our house, the fuckers.

Haventhadaneggsinceeaster · 20/02/2021 00:11

Just get a cat at the same time as decking and leave a space the cat can fit under...

Wherearemymarbles · 21/02/2021 16:49

No rats. But plenty of fox cubs !

LunaHeather · 21/02/2021 16:52

@DemiBourbon

Right, well that’s a definite no to decking then! Better embrace the ‘vintage’ look Grin
Honestly OP I feel like what you have is quite nice looking. Mum's neighbour has it and I like it. Put some lovely plants in pots there, sorted and lovely!
LunaHeather · 21/02/2021 16:53

Oh and a friend had to go to A&E after slipping on wet decking, I guess it depends what kind you have.

LST · 21/02/2021 17:15

Think we have a rat or 2 under ours. But I also have cats and foxes so they've never been a problem. The decking is also at the back of the garden so have never been a bother to us

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