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Rats

Jane EaglesJane Eagles Posts: 3
in Problem solving
We have rats living in our compost bin, how do we get rid of them?
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Posts

  • jonathan.colejonathan.cole Posts: 221
    Avoid food scraps, especially things like egg shells.

    Turn the compost regularly, they don'tike being disturbed.

    Set out baited snap traps near the compost in those nice contained boxes so you don't injure other wildlife.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    All of the above, plus if the rats are happy to make themselves a home there , then in all probability your compost heap is too dry
    ... compost needs to be damp and turned regularly in order to mix and aerate it to speed up the compost. Both of those things will make life uncomfortable for rats. 👍 


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Jane EaglesJane Eagles Posts: 3
    Hello out there, thanks for your responses. I'v been making my own compost for years & never had this problem before, I don't think it's too dry as the rats are pushing some soil out, (it's a home made composter,) & it's damp soil. Am a bit terrified of having to comfront them!
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Then I would definitely get a professional pest controller to deal with them. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • fromtheshiresfromtheshires Posts: 72
    Genuine question. Why are they an issue? Most of us want more wildlife in our gardens (hedgehogs/birds/bees etc) but hate the thought of rats.

    If they aren't hurting anyone and just making a home in the compost without trying to get into the house / attacking pets or causing damage to your plants or property etc then whats the issue or am i being a bit thick? 

    I get they can carry diseases but so can most wildlife. 

    I wouldn't be too happy about discovering them and have plenty where I work as we are rural and unfortunately have a lot of opportunities for rats to flourish but they keep themselves to themselves. 
  • BraidmanBraidman Posts: 274
    Weil's disease!

    My brother in law works for the local water company, all you have to mention is Weil's disease and he's off in a rant about rats in tunnels and drains and how all his work mates are terrified about catching it!
    Rats are deadly things!

    (If left untreated, Weil’s disease can lead to kidney failure, liver failure, or heart failure. In rare cases, it may result in death.quote)


  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    My school friend’s younger brother died from Weil’s Disease caught from rats living in the drains in their garden. You don’t catch that from hedgehogs. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    I treated a few cases as an ICU doctor, and believe me, it is not a disease you want.
    They are lovely animals, but should not be mixed with humans.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Absolutely. Not something anyone would want to catch.  :/
     
    Definitely sounds like you need some professionals in @Jane Eagles. Sometimes, a sudden appearance can be down to them being displaced from their normal home - building works for example, and their usual habitat being removed. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • stephh65stephh65 Posts: 3
    I had the same problem a few years ago and found that because I had my compost bin on the grass the rats were digging in underneath so after emptying it I then put a fine wire as a base so the rats couldn't then get in.
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