Monty Don Recommends doing only this one Job to Keep Rats away from your Garden and Home.

Published by Staff Writer on April 25, 2026 April 25, 2026

Spring may bring warmer days, fresh growth, and longer evenings in the garden — but it can also bring a problem many homeowners would rather not think about: rats.

As breeding season begins, rats become more active, which means gardeners may notice them more often around sheds, borders, compost areas, and even near the house. The thought of rats getting close to your home is enough to make anyone uneasy, but according to well-known gardening experts, one common garden habit could be making the problem much worse.

The biggest attraction? Compost.

Composting is one of the best things gardeners can do for their soil. It turns kitchen scraps and garden waste into rich, nourishing material that helps plants grow stronger. But as Monty Don has warned, compost only works well when the right ingredients are added.

Monty has often explained that compost is alive with natural activity. It breaks down because bacteria, fungi, worms, beetles, and other tiny organisms digest the material over time. In that sense, a compost heap works almost like a recipe. Add the right mix of ingredients, give it time, and it becomes a brilliant soil improver.

But add the wrong leftovers, and the compost heap can quickly turn into a dinner invitation for rodents.

Monty’s key warning is simple: avoid adding meat, fats, cooked food, and especially cooked starches such as potato, rice, and pasta. While these items will eventually break down, they usually decompose more slowly than raw plant-based material. As they sit there, they can create strong smells and attract unwanted visitors.

That is where the real problem begins. Rats are drawn to easy food sources, and a compost heap filled with cooked scraps can become exactly that. Once rats discover regular food in your garden, they may keep coming back — and if they find shelter, warmth, or access points nearby, the problem can grow quickly.

This does not mean gardeners should stop composting. Far from it. Composting remains a smart, eco-friendly way to recycle natural waste and improve garden soil. The trick is to compost carefully.

Good items for a compost heap include vegetable peelings, fruit scraps, grass cuttings, leaves, plant trimmings, cardboard, paper, and other natural uncooked materials. These break down well and are far less likely to attract rats when managed properly.

Alan Titchmarsh has also warned gardeners about the same issue. He has said rats are especially fond of compost heaps because the rotting vegetation creates warmth. That heat, combined with food scraps, can make compost one of the most appealing spots in the garden for rodents.

His advice is also clear: do not put cooked food, processed food, meat, fats, or potatoes into compost. These items can act like an open invitation.

To reduce the risk further, gardeners should keep compost bins covered, turn the heap regularly, avoid leaving food waste exposed, and place bins away from doors, windows, and easy entry points into the home.

So, if rats are suddenly appearing in your garden this spring, the cause may not be a mystery. Your compost heap could be helping them feel right at home.