Council workers in Somerset were clearing an overgrown garden of vegetation when they discovered an abandoned car and boat among the brambles.
The environmental health team for Sedgemoor District Council were carrying out a warrant filed under the Public Health Act after the owner of a property in Burnham-On-Sea could not be found.
The brambles in the garden had been attracting "rats and vermin", the council said.
Officers successfully went through the courts to obtain the required permissions to tackle the overgrowth.
But only when cleaning staff stripped away the worst of the vegetation did they discover the abandoned vehicles.
Council spokesperson Claire Faun said: “Staff from Sedgemoor District Council’s Environmental Protection Team had received complaints in Burnham-On-Sea about an unoccupied neighbouring property with an extremely overgrown garden.
“The bramble cover was attracting rats and vermin, as well the overgrown vegetation growing into nearby properties.
“After months of trying to track down and contact the absent owner, the team applied to the courts for a warrant under the Public Health Act and alongside pest control staff, they examined the property.
“The garden has been cleared by Sedgemoor’s Clean Surroundings Team and bait was put out for the rats.
“Underneath the mass of brambles and weeds, the cleaning team found a car and a boat.”
Neighbours said there has been “a significant improvement in rat activity” since the work, and added they are grateful for the council’s help.
