Anyone with an apple tree in garden urged to do 1 thing now or risk attracting rats

People with apple trees in their gardens are being urged to take action now to avoid attracting rats. Experts have warned that fruit trees can act as magnets for rodents, drawing them in with the smell and sweetness of ripe or fallen fruit.

While most people are aware that rubbish bins or unsecured food can lure them in, many may not realise that fruit trees can be just as appealing. Rodents are particularly drawn to the sweetness and smell of fruit. Once they find a reliable food source in a garden, they are more likely to return and even nest nearby.

Fruit trees can become a persistent problem for gardeners, especially in autumn when fruit is ripening and falling to the ground.

Low-hanging branches can also provide easy access to the tree, making the problem worse.

According to experts at Pest ID, rotting fruit on the ground is a major but often overlooked reason why rats gather in gardens.

They said that while many people think of fallen fruit as an issue mainly linked with wasps, it is also a big draw for rodents.

Experts at Purcor Pest Solutions echoed these concerns, explaining that the smell of ripening fruit can attract rats from a surprising distance.

They added that fruit trees not only provide a steady supply of food but can also offer shelter, creating a perfect environment for rodents to nest and breed.

Experts from both organisations say that one of the most effective steps homeowners can take is to remove the food source.

They warn that if fruit is left lying around, rats will keep returning for more.

Signs of rodent activity around fruit trees include gnaw marks on trunks or branches, partially eaten or damaged fruit, burrows or nests nearby, droppings around the base of trees, and even scratching or scurrying noises coming from the tree.

Both pest control services advise regular pruning to reduce hiding places and make it harder for rats to reach the branches.

They also stress the importance of acting quickly in autumn when fruit begins to fall.

Their number one piece of advice for homeowners is to pick up all fallen fruit as soon as possible.

Leaving apples or other fruit on the ground is effectively providing an open food supply for rats.

They also recommend keeping bins sealed if the fruit is thrown away, so rodents do not simply move from the garden to the rubbish.

Additional measures include using rat guards on tree trunks to prevent climbing, spacing trees far enough apart so rats cannot move easily between them, and in some cases even choosing varieties that are less appealing to rodents, such as citrus trees.