Let’s face it, finding dead rats in your yard can be a very troubling and horrifying experience for everyone in the home. This is especially true if no one knows where this problem is coming from, and why it is happening more often than you would ever expect.
In fact, whatever the case or situation, you need to make sure that this problem is addressed as soon as possible. Yet, you may not know where to start, particularly if you do not know where the source of these issues are coming from.
Thankfully, there is a wealth of information online about solving problems just like this. So, other homeowners can share their experiences, including the knowledge that they have about where the sources of these issues are actually coming from.
I keep finding dead rats in my yard
So, let’s get started by discussing some of the reasons why you keep finding dead rats in your yard.
1. Cats Bringing Dead Rats on the Property
First of all, cats are inherently animals of prey. Even though some people domesticate them, and share their homes as family members, it is still normal for cats to hunt rats and then kill them.
Also, based on the circumstances or situation, they may drag a dead rat along and then drop their dead carcasses somewhere on your property. Or, if they choose to do so, they may be proud enough to share the dead rat as a toy with you. Simply put, cats are notorious for bringing dead rats from your neighbors property to yours when they find them.
2. Poisonous Substances on Your Property
In addition to cats bringing dead rats onto your property, there are other reasons why dead rats can be found in different areas on your property, too. One of the most common involves rats eating poisonous substances on the property.
For instance, if you have a garden with vegetables and other edible plants growing in your yard, rats will find your garden a great source of food that they eat.
However, if the garden that you are growing contains any type of chemical (i.e. fertilizers, pest control or rodent killers), these are usually poisonous substances that will eventually kill any mice or rats that feed from these gardens.
Therefore, it is not uncommon to see dead rats in different areas on your property at one point in time.
3. Other Animals of Prey Killing Rats
Cats are not the only predatory animals that kill rats. There are other predatory animals that may leave the carcasses of dead rats laying around. Here is a list of predatory animals that’s presently known for killing rats when they are in their view.
- Birds
- Felines
- Snakes
- Dogs
- Weasels
Each of these predatory animals is infamous for hunting and feeding on rodents. For instance, birds like hawks and falcons hunt rodents during the day, while the owls are also notoriously dangerous to the rodent population at night.
It is also important to note that snakes eat a wide variety of different things, including birds, eggs, other small mammals, rodents, and mice. However, if the circumstances are right, there will be no remains left since snakes can swallow their prey whole.
4. Rat Infestation on the Property
To keep down problems with dead rats on your property, you must be diligent about making your property a rodent-free environment. Because rats can feed on virtually anything (i.e. left over food and garbage), the grounds must be clear of everything that gives rats a place to feed and hide.
So, if a rodent-free environment is not kept up, it can easily lead to an infestation of rats that will only multiply. Therefore, if you find dead rats on your property, you may want to look around for live rats, too. This is because dead rats may be an attraction to others, and evidence that you have an infestation that’s out of control.
I keep finding dead rats in my yard: Conclusion
If you keep finding dead rats on your property, it is important to find out why. This is especially true when you are finding more than one dead rat on your property, The reasons for these problems can also vary based on circumstances.
However, the most common reasons tend to be cats bringing dead rats onto your property, poisonous substances, other animals of prey, or there is an rat infestation that is out of control.