The Landscaping Material That Works As A Barrier Around Your Home To Keep Rodents Out

Strategically covering the lawn with materials like straw, wood chips, or other types of mulch is a great way to protect your garden from weeds, high temperatures, extreme rainfall, and erosion. These materials are also good for making natural-looking footpaths around your property. Unfortunately, they cannot protect you from pests; in fact, bugs and rodents are actually drawn to mulch made from organic stuff like grass or wood. This is due to the high moisture content of natural mulch, as well as the fact that the mix of broken bark and soil gives small animals a perfect hiding spot. Unless you don't mind a few extra house guests, use gravel as a landscaping material to keep rodents out.

Any type of inorganic material like cement, brick, or stone will be less attractive to rodents and other pests than organic options. What makes gravel especially adept at warding away critters is its texture: there are many different types of gravel, but it is generally made of tons of small roundish rocks that move freely and quickly fill any hole dug into them. This makes it nearly impossible for burrowing creatures like rats or mice to travel through gravel.

In order for your gravel barrier to work properly, it should be at least half a foot deep so that vermin can't easily dig into the soft soil underneath, and about two feet across so they can't simply jump over. A gravel barrier can work pretty much anywhere, like as a walkway between your garden and patio area, or right alongside the foundation of your house — just don't place it in the worst spot to put gravel in your lawn — anywhere you still need to mow.

Along with creating paths and barriers, you can use gravel to fill any holes around your property to block out mice and rats. If gravel isn't enough to keep rodents out of your home, there are a few other steps you can take in the lawn to deter pests. For instance, small animals like to hide out in the shadowy areas under bushes and shrubs, so it's important to keep the bases of plants near your home trimmed and clear of dead leaves. Also, don't plant plants that produce food too close to the house.

With a bit of gravel and some thoughtful placement, you'll be able to keep mice and rats out with style. Whatever you do, just don't make these mistakes that attract pests to your home.