Decking and rats - is it a myth?

[Nepotism]

Moving to a house backing onto fields. It needs a lot of work and the end of the garden is quite overgrown. The views are beautiful and I'd like to put a raised deck at the end to make the most of them but have a fear of rats. Decking websites say that the rat issue is a myth but they would, wouldn't they! Does anyone have a similar setup?

if you or your neighbours have a rat table bird table which regularly provides delicious and nourishing rat food bird food for the rats birds, then you will have plenty of rats birds.

They also need access to water, so a stream, pond, rat bath bird bath, water feature or even a dripping tap or leaky water butt will make them welcome.

If you attract rats, they will find somewhere to live.

I have a friend who works in pest control and he would tell you no, it's not a myth. Problem is, if you have a shed or a compost heap or live near a river (etc) then you would also be more likely to get them. There's lots of way you could end up with them.

We have a raised deck and as far as I know, no rats . But we do have a cat - font know if that makes any difference? Just in case you are not aware - you need planning permission for a raised deck over 30cm high. We didn't know this until after the deck was built though...

I have decking across a huge part of my garden. No rats at all. But I do like to empty my tiny swimming pool once a month, and it floods underneath the decking, so maybe I'm just drowning the fuckers

I have a raised deck. Sorry to say, yes we do get rats under there. We are in a city though, not backing onto fields. So I guess rat accommodation is more in demand where we are. I don't think decking attracts rats, but rather provides a convenient hide out for them if they have nowhere else to go. Your set up doesn't sound like that, so you would probably be ok.

We have a raised deck and have had rats several times, we have had to stop composting now which is a shame.

Given two weekly bin collections I doubt there is anywhere in the country you can live and there not be rats.

Urban or rural, you've always found rats everywhere. The fact that people are forced to stick sacks of rubbish in their yards and sheds if they miss black bin week just adds to the problem.

My neighbours have raised decking, pond, bird table, shed, compost bin. I've tried dropping a few subtle hints about rats but they're not baiting. I've heard a rumour recently that a dead rat was found floating in their pond. I'm terrified.

I know that once, not if, the rats appear I will be burning the house down and moving back to our old house. Sob.

We live in London so plenty of rats around. We had ratty visitors before we got some decking and we've had them since. I have a highly calibrated rat detection system aka my Schnauzer.

Really don't see how you'd stop them nesting under there if they choose to do so?

I don't know about rats but pretty much everyone I know who has a deck has had mice under them. I also know a few who have had wasps nests under them.

Don't do it! Fields, undergrowth and decking- lots of potential for rats!

We've got decking and no rats.... A million spiders though.

rats are nothing to do with less-frequent bin collections and everything to do with too much food being wasted. A secure compost bin shouldn't attract them.

but if you are backing on to fields you WILL get mice, possibly rats, foxes etc. If you have issues with this then it is the wrong place for you to live.

You can have a deck and reduce the risk of rats by leaving the underneath section of the decking open. It would also help if you have the area paved or covered in gravel/ slate to reduce the areas that rats can nest. If you box the decking in and have lots of weeds underneath you will create a good breeding ground for rats.

Rats are unfortunately everywhere now, wherever you live. We are quite rural and have suspected that the 'bump in the night' on the wheelie bin lids was the local cats going about their nocturnal activities... had proof of rats a couple of weeks ago when a neighbour found a half eaten rat in her garden. Completely vile to think they are so close but at least the cats are doing their bit for the community I suppose!

Thanks all. It's a seaside village with a lot of streams. I've lived there before and actually had rats in the house after they ate through the pipe at the back of the loo - not an experience I want to repeat! Took ages to find the problem and meanwhile all the sewage was being flushed under the floor.

I'm getting the two ponds filled in immediately and the ancient shed is coming down

I hadn't realised about planning permission, so that's very useful.

I know the pitfalls of the beautiful location, I just don't want to make the rats feel welcome. Patio slabs here I come!

Thanks everyone.