Rodent proof hardscaping

8 years ago

Hi,

We live behind a row of restaurants and next to a neighbor with a rat problem. We have one burrow in the backyard and would like to redo the fence (close all gaps and add steel siding 24 inches deep from base of fence) and install hardscaping (pavers or flagstone) in the center of the yard (currently gravel) to address the issue. In addition, we thought about installing some solar lamps and covering all gutter drainage with wire. Any suggestions/tips or recommendations? We will also get the block treated and the businesses to clean up, but want to ensure the backyard is difficult for rats to burrow through.

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n h
Original Author

8 years ago

So we ended up putting down aluminum flashing two feet deep, a gravel base next to that and then soil and a concrete-based flagstone patio (with gravel underlay) in the middle. We also put hardware mesh 8 inches under the patio to two feet out on the vulnerable side - the other sides had trees so we couldn't put the mesh there without digging them up. We also closed all gaps in the fence, and installed drain boxes and covered drainage pipes with wire mesh. Hopefully this does the trick! We dug up a rat nest about 6 inches underground in the process, and about 7 rats ran out of it. Ugh!

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Comments (15)

NHBabs z4b-5a NH
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
I don't know about the rest of it, but the pavers or flagstone won't reduce burrowing IME. If there is anywhere in the yard they can burrow, the paving will make a nice burrow roof. My sympathies with this issue.
n h
Original Author
8 years ago
The flagstone/pavers would have 4 inches of gravel underneath them which is what rodent control recommends. But, you may be right which is why we are looking to secure access from outside the fence as well with the steel flashing.
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gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
8 years ago
And even if you are able to prevent burrowing (somewhat unlikely), they will still get over the top of any fence. The short answer is you cannot completely prevent rats from entering your property. Really your best bet to limit the problem is working with the neighbors and neighborhood establishments to eliminate as many of the nasty little creatures as possible.
PRO
KD Landscape
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Rats are a component of urban living. While nothing keeps rats from entering your property there is a product called "hardware cloth" by old-timers like me. I have no clue why it's called hardware cloth as it is a more tightly woven and heavier gauge of steel than chicken wire.

The City of Chicago requires hardware cloth on top of tree balls that are contained within tree grates. It does work and stops rats from living under the tree grates and sidewalks when installed correctly.

If you install it along the edge of a patio or walkway it will deter an assortment of critters from burrowing. They cannot chew through or squeeze through the hardware cloth.

Here in the burbs we are more likely to see chipmunk, rabbit, opossum or skunk issues and we use hardware cloth effectively on the skunks, opossums and rabbits. The chipmunks are a bit more resourceful and of course smaller.

We just installed it last year on a job site where skunks numbering in excess of twenty were burrowing happily under the deck, patio and front walk. While the skunks are still cruising through the yard at this house at night they are no longer burrowing under the patios, steps or front walk. (Honest!)

If you buy it in a 2' roll simply snip it in half and sink 1' as close to the patio edge as you can get it.

Also, your solution to go 2' deep with steel at the fence should easily be deep enough to stop the burrowing there. But, again, nothing is going to make you completely rodent proof.

This is the previously mentioned front walk. Almost a full year and no skunks!

Traditional Patio · More Info

Hardware Cloth
NHBabs z4b-5a NH
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Great suggestion K&D LM! I use 1/4" hardware cloth to keep out voles and it does the trick beautifully, especially if it's used on open surfaces as well as buried surrounding the problem areas. So 1/2" hardware cloth will be fine for rats, though I wouldn't go any larger. It's amazing how small an opening a rodent can squeeze through. The advantage of hardware cloth over sheet metal is that it doesn't block the movement of water and doesn't hinder small roots.
n h
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks for the recommendation! We thought about sheet metal under the base of the wooden fence two feet deep then hardware cloth between the base of the fence and the base of the patio (set in sand on gravel for drainage) so they can't burrow. I know there might still be the odd few running across at night but that's better than having a family chilling in or front yard. We will also try and illuminate the dark spots with solar lights and cover the gutters with hardware mesh. Hopefully that does the trick!
n h
Original Author
8 years ago
So I found the pictures below which is what I am thinking of next to the fence and under the flagstone, using the hardware cloth. Any idea if this will work? Next to the fence will probably need to be two feet deep and maybe one foot wide. Under the flagstone will probably just need to be a foot deep since it will be on gravel.
PRO
KD Landscape
8 years ago
The second photo from at lyndamakara.com is similar to how we would install it.
n h
Original Author
8 years ago
Thank you!
KD
8 years ago
Having had pet rats, they are resourceful little buggers. If they want in, they will get in. So whatever else you do, stay on top of the cleanliness issue in your area. (Restaurants with trash and so on.) You can’t really prevent them so much as say “this buffet is too much work, go somewhere else.” So keep that in mind as you’re working on things.
n h
Original Author
8 years ago
Yes, we are trying to also work with businesses in the area on trash management and with the city in treating the entire block. I fully agree with the "this buffet is too much effort" - they're not coming to our backyard to eat but they're coming there to live in between buffets. Hopefully with a comprehensive approach across the neighborhood we can improve the situation not just for ourselves but for everyone else as well.
KD
8 years ago
Right, they’re doing that because you’re nice and close to a delightful buffet. So I’m including your yard in the buffet area - it’s like a quiet table in a buffet restaurant during all-you-can-eat hours. :D
PRO
KD Landscape
8 years ago
"Ugh!" on the rats is right! Hope your installation was successful.
Jane Mcfadden
2 years ago
I have a similar problem

I am a few years late into this thread

I was going to do a lot of what was suggested but hey ho a family of foxes have moved into the grocery store ( next door). ....the rats eat there but they're always looking for shelter in my yard

They are tenacious little critters grr. I'm just leaving my yard for the foxes. I have no children or other pets. But anyone please bear in mind what you put around fencing/ gates etc

I feel like the calvery have moved in !!!

They are under my privits ( the foxes ) . I feel sorry for anyone else who has had rat problems

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