You might think you’re doing everything right in your garden by keeping things tidy, watering regularly, and creating a little outdoor haven.
However, if you’re constantly battling unwanted pests, there’s a chance you’re accidentally inviting them in without realising. Some of the most common garden habits can act as a welcome sign for everything from slugs to rodents, and once they settle in, they’re hard to get rid of. If your garden has become a bit of a bug buffet, these might be the reasons why.
1. Overgrown plants create the perfect hiding spots.
If your garden is full of thick bushes, tall grass, or overgrown plants, you’ve basically rolled out the red carpet for pests looking for shelter. Overgrown greenery creates a cosy home for slugs, snails, rodents, and even wasps. Keeping things trimmed and tidy makes it harder for pests to hide. It doesn’t mean you have to go full minimalist on your garden, but a bit of regular maintenance can make a big difference in keeping unwanted visitors at bay.
2. Standing water is a mosquito paradise.
Even the smallest puddles can attract mosquitoes, who love nothing more than laying their eggs in stagnant water. Things like birdbaths, clogged gutters, and plant saucers can all collect rainwater and turn into prime breeding grounds. Emptying or changing out standing water regularly stops mosquitoes from settling in. If you love having a water feature, consider adding a small pump to keep the water moving — it’ll look good and keep pests away.
3. Mulch piles can attract unwanted guests.
Mulch is great for keeping your garden healthy, but if you’ve got thick layers of it, you might also be providing the perfect home for slugs, ants, and rodents. Pests love the warmth and moisture mulch provides, especially when it’s piled up too high.
Keeping mulch layers thin and raking it occasionally helps prevent pests from getting too comfortable. If you’re dealing with a lot of slugs, try using gravel or crushed shells instead of organic mulch — they won’t like crawling over rough textures.
4. Bird feeders can attract more than just birds.
It’s lovely seeing birds flock to your garden, but bird feeders can also draw in rats, mice, and even squirrels looking for an easy meal. Spilled seeds on the ground make it even worse, as rodents will quickly pick up on the free food supply.
To avoid this, choose a feeder that reduces spillage, place it away from fences and trees where rodents can climb, and clean up fallen seeds regularly. That way, you can keep feeding the birds without feeding the pests.
5. Compost heaps can be a rodent buffet.
Composting is great for the environment, but if you’re not managing it properly, it can become a food source for pests. Rats, in particular, love rummaging through compost piles, especially if there’s a mix of food scraps in there. Using a sealed compost bin instead of an open pile helps keep rodents out. Also, balancing food scraps with plenty of dry material like leaves or shredded paper can stop it from smelling too inviting.
6. Overripe fruit is an open invitation for bugs.
If you’ve got fruit trees or berry bushes, any overripe or fallen fruit left on the ground will attract everything from wasps to rodents. Once pests realise there’s free food, they’ll keep coming back. Picking fruit as soon as it’s ripe and clearing up any that drops can help prevent a full-on infestation. If you’ve got more than you can use, consider sharing with neighbours or making jam before pests get to it first.
7. Unsealed rubbish bins make an easy meal.
If your outdoor bins aren’t properly sealed, they’ll attract everything from flies to foxes. Food waste, especially, is a major draw for pests looking for an easy meal. Using bins with tight-fitting lids and making sure waste is bagged properly can help keep pests out. If you’re dealing with persistent critters like foxes, placing something heavy on top of the bin can stop them from getting in.
8. Outdoor lights attract swarms of insects.
While outdoor lighting makes your garden look nice in the evening, it also acts as a beacon for flying insects. Moths, mosquitoes, and other bugs are drawn to bright lights, and once they arrive, they’ll start looking for food sources nearby.
Switching to yellow or warm-toned LED lights can help reduce the number of insects swarming around. Motion sensor lights are also a good option since they only turn on when needed rather than staying lit all night.
9. Cracks and gaps in fences invite rodents in.
If there are gaps under your fences or holes in garden walls, pests will find a way through. Small rodents like mice can squeeze through even tiny openings, making it easy for them to enter unnoticed. Sealing up gaps and checking for weak spots in your fencing can help keep pests out. Adding wire mesh to the bottom of fences can also help stop burrowing animals like rabbits from sneaking in.
10. Leaving pet food outside attracts unwanted guests.
Outdoor pets, like cats and dogs, sometimes get fed in the garden, but any leftover food is an open invitation for pests. Rodents, foxes, and even insects will pick up on the scent quickly. If your pet eats outside, make sure to remove any uneaten food straight after. Storing pet food in sealed containers can also stop pests from sniffing it out and making themselves at home.
11. Storing woodpiles near the house invites termites and rodents.
Stacking firewood too close to your house or shed can be a bad idea if you’re not careful. It creates the perfect hiding spot for termites, mice, and spiders, who will eventually make their way inside. Keeping woodpiles at least a few metres away from your home and raised off the ground can reduce the risk of pests moving in. Covering them with a tarp also helps keep moisture levels down, making it less appealing for bugs.
12. Leaving doors and windows open in the evening lets pests in.
On warm evenings, it’s tempting to leave doors or windows open to let in fresh air, but it also lets in mosquitoes, moths, and other flying insects. Once they’re inside, they can be tricky to get rid of. Using insect screens on windows and keeping doors closed after sunset can help prevent pests from sneaking inside. If you want airflow without the bugs, a simple mesh curtain works wonders.
13. Garden furniture cushions can harbour pests.
Soft garden furniture cushions make a cosy hiding place for spiders, ants, and even small rodents, especially if they’re left outside overnight. Damp cushions can also attract mould and mildew, making them even more inviting. Bringing cushions inside or storing them in a sealed box when not in use can stop pests from moving in. If you prefer to leave them out, shaking them off regularly can help keep unwanted guests away.
14. Neglected sheds become a pest hotel.
If your shed is cluttered and rarely used, it’s an ideal hideout for spiders, mice, and even wasps. Dark corners, undisturbed boxes, and gaps in the structure all make it a perfect pest haven. Clearing out the shed regularly, sealing up holes, and using pest deterrents like peppermint oil or mothballs can help keep it pest-free. If it’s been a while since you last checked inside, it might be worth taking a cautious look before stepping in!
