
Cold air, quiet beds, and a garden that finally gets a breather—winter feels calm and harmless. But beneath that peaceful surface, rats are actively apartment-hunting, and your garden may be flashing a giant “vacancy” sign. One common winter gardening habit creates warmth, shelter, and food all in one neat bundle, and rodents absolutely love it.
If you’ve noticed mysterious holes, chewed containers, or nighttime rustling, this habit could be the reason. The twist is that most gardeners do it with the best intentions. Let’s talk about what’s drawing rats in and how to shut the door before they settle in.