Rat Finding a burrow hole in the garden is often the first clear sign that rats have moved in. Around Soham, where many gardens back onto fields, ditches or allotments, burrows can appear in flower beds, under sheds, along fence lines or near compost heaps.
Knowing what to look for, and what not to do, makes a real difference to how quickly the problem gets sorted.
What a rat burrow looks like
Rat burrows are usually smooth and round, roughly 6 to 9cm across, often with a worn path leading to and from the entrance. Unlike some other garden holes, they tend to have freshly disturbed soil nearby, and there may be more than one entrance connected to the same tunnel system. Burrows are commonly found near boundary fences, under decking or sheds, in compost heaps, and along the base of hedges.
Why they turn up in gardens
Gardens offer rats everything they need: shelter in the burrow itself, cover from predators among plants and structures, and often a nearby food source such as bird feeders, compost or bins. In Soham, proximity to open farmland and drainage ditches means there is rarely a shortage of rats looking for a new spot to settle, particularly during colder months.
What to do if you find one
It is best not to fill in a burrow hole straight away, as this does not remove the rats and they will usually just reopen it or dig a new entrance close by. It is also worth avoiding contact with burrow entrances or soil around them without gloves, as rats can carry diseases that spread through contact with urine or droppings.
The more reliable approach is to have the burrow properly assessed. Green Pest Control inspects the extent of the burrow system, identifies how many rats are likely involved, and treats the area using appropriate baiting or trapping. Once the infestation is cleared, burrows can be filled in and the surrounding area proofed to discourage rats from returning.
Keeping pets away from burrow entrances in the meantime is a sensible precaution, and it is worth checking the wider garden for additional holes, since a single visible burrow is sometimes only one entrance of a larger connected system running underneath beds, paths or lawns.
If you have spotted burrow holes in your Soham garden, call 01502 630 122 for a free, no-obligation quotation.
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