Leaving Dog Poop On The Lawn Could Attract A Major Pest

Leaving dog poop around the yard can cause a number of issues, including the spread of zoonotic diseases, parasites, and other bacteria. In addition, as waste washes into storm drains, it could destroy the environment and local waterways. However, leaving pet waste around may lead to another unsavory outcome: attracting rodents.

Rodents, such as mice and rats, are often drawn to the undigested food particles and scents in dog poop. In urban areas, dog poop left lying around is also one of their biggest sources of food. Mice and rats can cause a lot of destruction beside just eating pet waste. They can spread diseases, both directly and indirectly. Fleas, mosquitoes, and other parasites may jump between rodents, pets, and people, leading to illness. They might also cause a lot of property damage, creating holes in siding, making nests in homes, and leaving their own waste behind.

Keeping your lawn clear of debris and dog poop is one of the easiest ways to deter rodents. Further, yard smell neutralizers could help reduce the scent of dog poop in the yard. You may also want to designate a section for your dog to go potty, such as an easy-to-clean gravel area, to help you stay on top of stool removal. 

Keeping tools on hand, like some of the best pooper scoopers, can make clean up easy without having to bend and pick up stool in the yard. Consider using a compact pet waste garbage can that mice and rats can't easily chew through to safely contain stool. Composting your dog's poop is another option. The USDA (pdf) recommends that any composted materials reach at least 145 degrees Fahrenheit for several days to help kill any pathogens present in the stool.

If you would rather avoid dealing with dog poop entirely, many cities offer private pet waste pickup services. They come weekly or monthly, and scoop and dispose of all waste off-site for you. All of these options, as well as removing brush, debris, and other places rodents like to hide, can help deter these pesky pests from visiting your yard. A clean lawn will also provide a more usable spot for you and your pup to enjoy.