Rats have a bad reputation and are notorious for destroying and damaging most things it crosses paths with.

From making holes, to eating whatever they like, to gnawing through wood and spreading diseases, finding ways to keep them out of your garden is vital.

These nocturnal animals are savvy creatures too with many gardeners even being none the wiser to having any rat visitors at all.

There are a number of tell-tale signs however indicating you have the furry critters in your garden which could potentially make its way into your home.

Fortunately, a simple hack if done effectively will help keep them out of your home and garden for good.

Spotting tunnels in your gardens is a big indicator of a rat problem - they are roughly 6 to 9 cm diameter in length.

Tracks are another sign of rats which can usually be found alongside walls, buildings or fences known.

According to Gardenersworld.com, other tips indicating rats are present in your garden are visible gnawed wood revealing parallel teeth marks left behind and also cylindrical droppings which are around 15mm long and 5mm wide.

To get rid of these critters lies in looking at what rats need in order to survive, which is food, water and shelter, experts say.

The top tip to avoid a rat infestation is to eliminate any harbourage points around buildings and sheds.

“Rats are ‘neo-phobic’, which means they have a fear of new things,” explains Gardenersworld.com.

“They don’t like disruption to their territory, so place obstacles in their runs and move things around in the garden frequently.

While on the subject of blocking, the space beneath a garden’s decking is said to be an ideal spot for rats.

“It’s hard to reach and food scraps can fall between the planks. Block access if possible or consider installing a patio instead.”

Other essential blockage measures to take in order to keep rats out of your garden include blocking any holes in walls, floors and doors of the garden buildings with the gardening experts ensuring these blocks are as secure as possible.

Gardening experts insist on the importance of sealing up these holes securely as rats are notorious for being able to squeeze through very small holes.

“You could add a metal ‘kick plate’ to your shed door to prevent entry,” they added.