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  • How to Make A Wall Garden Stand Out

    Creating a stunning garden for any type of home can seem like a massive challenge.

    However, by choosing the right approach, you will get an amazing look a lot more easily than you might think.

    Let’s look closer at a popular trend among homeowners – walled gardens.

    Walled gardens involve lovely grass and beautiful plants, this is a clever idea that will give you a fantastic garden fairly easily.

    So, what does this involve and how can you best go about it?

    How to Make A Walled Garden

    The first step you need to get through is the design stage.

    This is when you measure your garden to see how much space you have and then work out how best to use that space effectively. It makes sense to take your time and see as many examples as you can of walled gardens while you do this. You will find that there are all sorts of different types around, from classic flower gardens to walled kitchen gardens.

    The wall provides the plants with shelter from the worst of the weather. This is the type of garden where you might be tempted to grow tropical plants that might not survive if they were fully exposed to the elements. If you have some good walled gardens near you that you can visit then it is a great idea to do so. While you might not design something that is exactly the same, it is good to get a feel for the overall atmosphere that you feel when you are in it. Once you understand the basics, you will feel a lot more confident about creating your own little piece of paradise in your new walled garden – with less effort than you originally imagined.

  • Be the Hero Your Neighborhood Deserves

    Conserve Water

    Homeowners can save money on water by switching to artificial turf!

    The EPA estimates that the US uses about 9 billion gallons of water a day watering natural grass lawns! In California, roughly half of residential water is used for landscape irrigation.

    By installing artificial turf, you can lower your monthly water bill and avoid water waste.

    2. Take Your Weekend Back!

    Artificial grass frees up time for life’s most important moments!

     Don’t waste another weekend weeding, seeding, and mowing. Take your weekend back with artificial turf from AGR! 

    From backyard barbecues to playing catch with the kids, AGR’s affordable, soft-to-the-touch turf has you covered. And because AGR turf requires minimal maintenance, you can be there for it all!

    Be the Hero Your Neighborhood Deserves

    Artificial grass increases property values by filling your community with lush, evergreen lawns. 

    Trade your old, dying grass for state-of-the-art synthetic turf!

  • The Secret Ingredient to a Great Installation

    All the tools in the world aren’t worth much if you’re not working with quality turf. 

    AGR purchases used sports fields that would otherwise end up in a landfill. Our team buys the best quality artificial grass fields and then resells them at a considerable discount. 

    Because it’s sports turf, this product is designed to withstand the sharpest cleats and toughest tackles! So it should have no problem standing up to the challenges of everyday use.

  • Optional Tools for Installing Synthetic Grass

    Pickaxe – A pickaxe can be helpful for removing stumps and stones when tearing up your old lawn.

    Dump trailer – When removing your existing lawn and base, soil can build up quickly! For that reason, we recommend having a dump trailer on sight, if possible. This will greatly help with getting rid of your existing lawn, which needs to be disposed of according to local regulations. 

    Class II road base – We recommend using class ii road base to create a level base with proper drainage. Alternatively, you can smooth and wet your existing soil for your base.

    Seam tape – If you’re working with multiple rolls of turf, you can use seam tape to secure different pieces together. 

    Spackle – If you choose to secure your turf with seam tape and glue, you can use spackle to spread the glue. 

    Infill – Infill is the gritty, sand-like material that keeps your artificial turf standing straight. It can consist of a number of materials, including silica sand, volcanic ash, rubber crumb, and more!

    Gopher wire – By laying a mesh covering under your turf, you can prevent gophers from digging up your new lawn.

    Weed barrier fabric – You may want to add a weed barrier to prevent vegetation from sprouting through your new lawn. Weed barrier is NOT recommended if you have pets.

  • Essential Tools for DIY Artificial Turf Installation

    Shovel – Before you can install artificial turf, you first need to remove your existing lawn. Start by digging up the top 2-4 inches of soil. Using a shovel and pickaxe is the most economical way to remove your existing lawn. But it is time-consuming. So if you have access to a compact trailer we recommend using that. If not, get digging!

    Wheelbarrow – You can use a wheelbarrow to transport freshly dug soil out of your yard.

    Box cutter – You can use a simple box cutter to fit your new lawn to the shape of your yard. All cuts should be made from the back of your turf so you can see the stitch rows.

    Turf paint – Repurposed sports turf often comes with lines and marking. But don’t worry! These are easy to fix. Using green paint you can easily cover up any unwanted lines or markings

    Hammer – You’ll need something to secure your turf turf to your base. We recommend using a hammer or mallet to add nails every few inches around the perimeter of your artificial grass. 

    40-D turf nails – When securing your turf to your base, we recommend using 40-D 5 inch non-galvanized turf nails. 

    Drop spreader – This allows you to evenly disperse the proper amount of infill across the entirety of your lawn. Note: many of our repurposed lawns come with infill in them, so you may not need to add any.


    Push broom – A push broom is essential to After spreading your infill with a drop spreader, use a stiff bristled broom to brush the infill into the turf. This will stand the blades up straight and give your new lawn the appearance of freshly mowed grass. Alternatively, you can use a power broom if it’s available to you.

  • How to Clean Rat Poop Safely

    For households with pets, the risks multiply. Dogs and cats are naturally curious — they may sniff, lick, or even ingest rat droppings. This can transmit bacteria and parasites, including salmonella and leptospirosis. Even dried droppings, when disturbed, can irritate a pet’s respiratory system.

    Symptoms in pets can range from vomiting and diarrhea to coughing or unusual lethargy. If you suspect your pet has ingested rat droppings, veterinary care should be sought immediately. Preventive steps matter too: keep pet food in sealed containers, clean contaminated areas promptly with disinfectant, and block off zones where droppings are found until thoroughly sanitized.

    How to Clean Rat Poop Safely

    Cleaning rat droppings must be done with care. Sweeping or vacuuming is dangerous because it stirs harmful particles into the air. Instead, protective gear such as gloves and a mask should always be used. Droppings should be sprayed with disinfectant or a bleach solution and left to soak for several minutes before being wiped up with paper towels.

    Dispose of the waste by double-bagging it in sealed plastic, and finish by disinfecting the area again. Proper ventilation during cleanup reduces risk further.

    When to Call a Pest Control Professional

    A few droppings here and there may be manageable, but large amounts across multiple rooms, droppings that reappear after cleaning, or those found in food-prep areas are clear signals that professional help is needed. Licensed pest control specialists can trace the source, locate nests, and block entry points, ensuring not just cleanup but long-term prevention.

    Final Thoughts

    Rat droppings are more than an unpleasant discovery — they’re a warning sign you can’t afford to ignore. By recognizing what they look like, understanding the health and property risks they carry, and knowing how to respond, you can protect your household from both contamination and costly damage. If droppings appear in your home, act quickly: clean safely, monitor for ongoing activity, and don’t hesitate to bring in professional help.

  • Where to Find Rat Poop in Your Home & Yard

    The placement of droppings tells its own story. In attics, they usually signal roof rats nesting in insulation or rafters — sometimes with the added danger of chewed electrical wires. Droppings in kitchens or pantries are among the most serious warnings because they mean food contamination is likely already happening.

    Basements and garages, with their clutter and hidden corners, are classic habitats for Norway rats. If droppings appear there, a colony may already be established. Outside, you may spot droppings near compost bins, sheds, or fences. These are signs of rats foraging nearby, and without sealed entry points, they often transition indoors.

    Why Identifying Rat Poop Matters

    Catching rat activity early can save you both money and headaches. Droppings are the most reliable indicator of infestation, more so than noises in the walls or occasional damage. They also help professionals determine whether you’re dealing with Norway rats or roof rats, and whether the activity is current or old. The sooner you confirm what’s happening, the faster you can act — and the easier it will be to contain the problem.

    Health Risks Linked to Rat Poop

    Rat droppings aren’t just unsanitary; they’re dangerous. Inhaling dust from dried feces can expose you to hantavirus, a serious respiratory illness. If droppings contaminate food or surfaces, salmonella can cause gastrointestinal illness. Leptospirosis, another bacterial infection, spreads through contact with urine-contaminated droppings and can affect both people and pets. Even those without direct illness risk may find allergies and asthma worsened in a contaminated environment.

  • How Much Rat Poop is “Normal”?

    The amount of droppings you find can reveal how severe the infestation is. A few isolated pellets might mean a single rat has wandered in. Dozens of fresh droppings appearing day after day, however, signal that rats are actively nesting nearby. If you’re finding piles or clusters in multiple rooms, that’s the hallmark of a full colony.

    It’s worth remembering that a single rat can produce 40 to 50 droppings in one night. That means even a small handful of pellets can indicate more rodents than you think.

    Why Rat Poop is More Alarming Than You Think

    Beyond being unpleasant, rat droppings can cause serious problems for your home. They’re often found alongside gnaw marks on wood, wires, and insulation, and urine can seep into drywall, leaving behind odors that are nearly impossible to remove. In some cases, rats have chewed electrical wiring, creating a genuine fire hazard.

    Food contamination is another concern. A few pellets in your pantry are enough to taint packaged goods. Rats also leave invisible urine trails, spreading bacteria even where you don’t see feces.

    If droppings appear in several rooms, are accompanied by a strong ammonia smell, or show up alongside smear marks and footprints, the infestation is spreading quickly. Droppings near wiring should always be treated as urgent.

  • Rat Poop vs Mouse Poop

    Homeowners often confuse rat and mouse droppings, but there are clear differences. Rat droppings are larger and thicker — about half an inch long — while mouse droppings are much smaller, resembling grains of rice. Rats tend to leave thicker, sausage-like pellets, while mice leave finer, more tapered ones.

    Comparison Table

    FeatureRat PoopMouse Poop
    Size~½ inch~⅛–¼ inch
    ShapeCylindrical, thickThin, rice-like
    EndsPointed or bluntPointed
    TextureShiny when fresh, crumbly when oldSimilar but smaller

    Types of Rats and Their Droppings

    In the United States, two species are most common: the Norway rat and the roof rat. Their droppings look similar at first glance, but a closer look can help you tell them apart.

    1. Norway rats, also known as brown rats, leave larger pellets — sometimes up to three-quarters of an inch long. The droppings are thick and blunt at the ends, and you’ll usually find them in basements, near foundations, or around sewers, since these rats prefer to burrow close to the ground.
    2. Roof rats, sometimes called black rats, are climbers. Their droppings are a bit smaller, closer to half an inch, and more slender with pointed ends. If you find them in attics, rafters, or even high tree branches near your home, you’re likely dealing with roof rats. Knowing the difference is more than academic: it helps you understand where to look for nests and how to block future entry points.

  • What Does Rat Poop Look Like? Identification Guide with Pictures

    Rat poop is usually dark brown to black, about half an inch long, shaped like a pellet with pointed ends. Fresh droppings appear moist and shiny, while older ones are dry and crumbly. They’re most often found in clusters along walls, in kitchens, basements, or attics.

    What Does Rat Poop Look Like?

    When you stumble upon small, dark pellets in your home, your first question is often: what does rat poop look like? The answer matters more than you might think. Rat droppings are one of the most reliable indicators of an infestation. They reveal not only that rodents are present, but also how recent and active the problem is.

    Unlike dust or dirt, droppings have a very specific appearance. They’re typically cylindrical, about half an inch long, with ends that may be pointed or slightly rounded depending on the species. Fresh droppings look moist and dark, while old ones dry out, fade to gray, and crumble when touched. Rats leave dozens of these pellets every night, often clustered along their well-worn paths.