Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. picture alliance / Getty Images Rats are a nuisance in the garden. They damage plants, leave droppings, and carry diseases. But ...

Rats are a common, annoying problem for gardeners. They damage garden crops and ornamental plantings; eat and contaminate food, damage structures and property; and transmit parasites and diseases.

Q. I have noticed a lot of rat activity in my garden this spring – more than I’ve ever seen! What can I do to at least keep them out of my house? The heavier rains earlier this year have caused the ...