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Compost Bins and Rats

We live adjacent to cattle sheds and a bale stack. We are unfortunately blessed with an ideal home for rats. Fortunately not in the house, but there are warrens running under our lawn, they live in the cavity walls of our outbuildings and they even congregate in our car bonnets when it's cold. Its soooooo grim! 

Anyway, I've always wanted to start my own compost heap/bin but have always thought, surely it will be just one more thing that will attract the rats?? Does anyone have any advice? Maybe there are ways/prosicts to keep it rat free?

Any advice welcome

Posts

  • If you follow good compost-making practice and turn it regularly with the occasional watering to keep it damp, the disturbance will be enough to prevent them taking up residence.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • My compost pile is right next to my chicken coop.  The coop initially attracted rats, so I moderated amount of food I put out and kept the rest in a metal garbage can.  My compost I start in one of those compost tumblers.  Its impossible for the rats ( and raccoons) to get into.  Once I gets composted to a certain point, I add it to my pile.  Its an extra step, but seems to be working.  During the garden season, if its jus leafy things for old plants, I dont notice any rodent activity.  Its only when some of the rotten veggies , fruit peels , melon rinds ... make it to the pile that  notice more visitors.  

    In addition to all this, I have a family of stray cats on the property along with 2 owls I've heard ( but haven seen yet).  They also keep things a bay.
  • EmerionEmerion Posts: 599
    We had rats in a compost heap here, because of the warmth from decomposition I expect. Following sound advice on this forum, I stuck to a bi-weekly compost-turning plan 3 times, and then reduced it to monthly.  The first time, a rat ran out a few inches from my feet, and you could have heard my shriek from half a mile away! But it didn’t happen again, so they could well have decamped immediately. They really don’t like disturbance. I think it’s worth it for the compost.
    Carmarthenshire (mild, wet, windy). Loam over shale, very slightly sloping, so free draining. Mildly acidic or neutral.


  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601
    There will always be rats where there is livestock or feedstores. Personally, I would set traps where they will be safe and reduce the number. I am not cruel and do not wish harm but rats are bad companions for humans. A couple of cats would help, too. Tough moggies, not pretty exotics.
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    I used closed compost bins, partly re the rat question, and they work very well, teaming with life. I use a Hot Bin and three regular black plastic dustbins with clip lids and holes drilled in the bottom. Small capacity, for a small garden.
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