How to keep rats out of your garden this Halloween season

The spooky date coincides with 'rodent season' when rats and other creatures are more active after heavily reproducing between March and October.

The time of year is perfect for these small mammals with leftover pumpkins, gourds and other Halloween treats providing the perfect source of food.

Luckily, there are a number of ways to tackle this problem, according to the experts over at Polhill.

Pumpkins and gourds can often attract rodents around Halloween time (Getty) (Image: Getty)

How to keep rats and mice out of your garden this Halloween

Here is how you can keep rats and mice out of your garden this Halloween amid 'rodent season'.

Choose the right location for your decorations 

Choose a spot for your pumpkin that is far away from your home and any potential rodent hiding spots such as thick foliage, compost bins or crowded spaces.

Elevate your pumpkin

Elevating your pumpkin to a higher spot such as a bench or table makes it harder for rodents to reach them, making your garden less desirable.

Use artificial decorations

Avoiding real pumpkins and gourds and opting for fake options will lower the chance of an infestation in your garden.

Rubbish that has not been secured can attract rats (Getty) (Image: Getty)

Keep your garden clean and secure rubbish

Clearing your Halloween decorations of rubbish and leaves makes the spot less desirable for rats and mice and removes hiding spots.

Similarly, securing rubbish prevents pests from easily hiding in your garden or from accessing food sources.

Remove food sources

removing seeds and other edible components from pumpkins is another great way to make your garden less attractive to rodents.

Use pest-repelling plants 

Plants such as marigolds and mint can be used to keep pests out of your garden.

Set traps and deterrents 

If you're really worried about pests you may consider humane traps as well as ultrasonic equipment to keep them at bay.