Yes, it can. Rats can feed on pet waste, and the District of Columbia Department of Health lists pet feces among the food sources that keep rats around, right next to open trash and leftover pet food. Scooping your yard on a regular schedule removes that food source. Dog poop also draws flies.
Does dog poop attract rats?
It can. Rats need three things to settle in: food, water and a place to live. The District of Columbia Department of Health’s rodent control program says plainly that rats can feed on pet waste (fecal material) and names pet feces as one of four places rats get food. Its fix is short: scoop pet waste daily and place it in the trash can.
Does dog poop attract mice too?
Mice are after the same basics as rats: food, water and shelter. A yard with weeks of waste on the ground, a bowl of kibble on the patio and seed under the bird feeder is offering all of the food they need in one place. Take the food away and the yard gets a lot less interesting.
What else in a backyard attracts rodents?
Dog waste is rarely the only draw. The same DC Department of Health guidance lists:
- Open trash cans and loose trash bags. Use containers with tight-fitting lids.
- Pet food and birdseed. Remove uneaten food quickly and keep feeders off the ground.
- Pet feces. Scoop daily and put it in the trash.
- Tall grass and weeds. Keep them cut below 8 inches.
- Piles of debris. Remove them rather than storing them.
Closer to home, the Douglas County Health Department gave South Omaha residents similar advice in November 2024: do not leave pet food outside, clean up birdseed that falls on the ground, and keep trash cans tightly covered.
Does dog poop attract flies and other pests?
Yes. Flies find fresh waste fast, which is why an unscooped yard turns unpleasant so quickly in an Omaha summer. Waste that sits also brings health risks of its own. We cover those in our guide to how dog poop affects kids and pets.
When are rodents most likely to show up in Omaha yards?
Fall and winter are the seasons to stay ahead of it. As temperatures drop, rodents look for dependable food close to shelter. That is also when a lot of dog owners stop scooping, because it is cold and the snow hides the evidence. Waste does not break down once it freezes, so it simply builds up until spring. Keeping pickup going through the winter keeps the food source from piling up.
How do you keep rats out of a yard with dogs?
- Scoop on a schedule. Daily is the health department standard. Weekly is the practical minimum. Here is how often to pick up dog poop.
- Bag it and trash it. Use a can with a tight lid.
- Feed pets indoors. Pick up any bowls left outside.
- Clean up under bird feeders.
- Keep grass cut and clear debris piles.
If you are already seeing rodents, call a licensed pest control company. Scooping removes a food source. It does not remove rats that have already moved in.
Is a pet waste removal service worth it for pest prevention?
If scooping is the chore that keeps slipping, yes. A scheduled service means the food source is gone every week, all year, including the months when nobody wants to be out in the yard. Monarch K-9 Waste Removal offers weekly, biweekly and one-time dog poop pickup across Omaha, Bellevue, Bennington, Council Bluffs, Elkhorn, Gretna, La Vista, Louisville, Millard, Papillion, Plattsmouth, Ralston, Springfield, Valley, Waterloo and Yutan. Pricing depends on your yard and number of dogs. See what dog poop removal costs in Omaha.
Frequently asked questions
It can. The District of Columbia Department of Health states that rats can feed on pet waste and lists pet feces among the food sources that keep rats around.
Mice look for the same things rats do: food, water and shelter. An unscooped yard supplies an easy food source, especially next to spilled birdseed or pet food left outside.
Yes. According to the District of Columbia Department of Health, rats can feed on pet waste (fecal material) as well as uneaten food set out for birds and pets.
Yes. Flies are drawn to fresh waste quickly, which is one reason an unscooped yard gets unpleasant fast in warm weather.
The District of Columbia Department of Health recommends scooping pet waste daily and placing it in the trash. For most Omaha yards, a weekly professional cleanup is the practical minimum.
Open trash, pet food left outside, spilled birdseed, tall grass and weeds, and piles of debris. Removing food and shelter is the first step in any rodent plan.
Evict the uninvited guests
Your castle should have one royal family, and it should not have whiskers and a tail. Request a Free Quote at monarchk9.com or call (402) 537-4649 and we will keep the kingdom clean all year.
Monarch K-9 Waste Removal, 17703 Storage Rd, Omaha, NE 68136. Call (402) 537-4649, Monday through Friday, 8am to 4pm.
By David Ortleb, Owner, Monarch K-9 Waste Removal. Serving the Omaha metro since 1997. Last updated October 2026.
