Strategically using materials such as straw, wood chips, or various types of mulch to cover your lawn is an effective way to shield your garden from weeds, high temperatures, heavy rainfall, and erosion. These materials are also ideal for creating natural-looking pathways around your property. However, they do not offer protection against pests; in fact, mulch made from organic materials like grass or wood often attracts bugs and rodents. This is because the high moisture content of natural mulch, combined with the mixture of broken bark and soil, creates an ideal hiding place for small animals. To avoid unwanted guests, consider using gravel as a landscaping material to keep rodents at bay.
Inorganic materials like cement, brick, or stone are generally less appealing to rodents and other pests compared to organic options. Gravel is particularly effective in deterring critters due to its texture: consisting of numerous small, round rocks that move easily and quickly fill any hole dug into them, making it nearly impossible for burrowing creatures like rats or mice to navigate through.
Gravel and Proper Placement Deter Pests
To ensure your gravel barrier is effective, it should be at least six inches deep to prevent vermin from easily digging into the soft soil beneath, and about two feet wide to stop them from simply jumping over. Gravel barriers can be placed in various locations, such as a pathway between your garden and patio area, or right alongside your house’s foundation—just avoid placing it in areas where you still need to mow.
In addition to creating paths and barriers, gravel can be used to fill any holes around your property to block out mice and rats. If gravel alone doesn’t suffice in keeping rodents away, there are additional measures you can take in your lawn to deter pests. For example, small animals tend to hide in the shadowy areas beneath bushes and shrubs, so it’s crucial to keep the bases of plants near your home well-trimmed and free of dead leaves. Additionally, avoid planting food-producing plants too close to the house.
With a bit of gravel and strategic placement, you can stylishly keep mice and rats out. Just be sure to avoid these common mistakes that attract pests to your home.
