In addition to making your compost more inaccessible (did anyone mention putting a sheet of metal mesh underneath? I did that with mine because they're on soil - it's about 1cm/half-inch) rats don't like disturbance so bang on the side of the bin every time you walk past, turn it regularly or at least stir it up a bit, etc. Anything you can do to make it less attractive as a rat home.
Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
I've never had rats in my compost heap. Previously, the mice, but now, slow worms. I can't imagine how worrying it must be. We get squirrels, foxes and pigeons in the garden, (and have had mice in the house, which was stressful enough at the time), but never rats. Let us know how you deal with the problem @northamptongorkamorkaOoZGIgo7 and what works for you. You might get help from this community, but sharing your success will help others in the future too.
…. as Dove mentions above potato peelings are the rat equivalent of steak & chips.
My brother is a potato farmer .., he says rats will gnaw concrete blocks to try to get at potatoes.
Something I also found when I cleared out my shed a few years ago. The old cedar shed (put in by the previous owners) floor is thick concrete. In one area rats had chewed through the concrete floor to gain access to my shed where I used to store veg in winter. I recall one of my 1st posts on this forum all those years ago was to ascertain what was eating the spuds in my shed. I even tied a spud to some string and hung it from a rafter about 2ft above the ground. It was nibbled by the following day!
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
Thank you all so much for taking the time to contribute.
First off, I'd like to reassure you that when I say the rats are being moved away, I mean to a large park in our rat infested town, not some farmers field. I live with a bunch of other people, including in various combinations vegetarians, vegans, animal rights activists and buddhists, so killing them isn't an option. there are no ground nesting birds or other wildlife (except more rats) in the park that could be jeopardised by their presence.
Another unfortunate issues is that our compost is primarily used to dispose of food waste. the majority of it is uncooked but some left overs do go in too.
The weather has been pretty dry recently, so I'll try wetting the heap to drive the rats out. Some form of metal reinforcement might help too so I'll see if i can source some.
Someone mentioned they don't like being disturbed, Would a set of wind chimes disturb them do you think?
I've also been googling rat prevention gear, has anyone had any luck with those plug in sonic devices that allegedly keep rats away?
again, thank you all for your help, it's very much appreciated
If you remove the rats to another location (not a good idea) you are just leaving space for a new set of rats to move in. Nature abhors a vacuum and rats abhor leaving paradise empty. I understand why a lot of people don't like to kill rats but foisting them on other people isn't nice.
Keep the heap vegan and make sure rats can't burrow in. No cooked food at all.
I have windchimes next to my compost heaps and I have rats. Tinkling sounds do not deter them. Using the heaps as a drum kit might do the trick.
These rodents are clever and staring a rat in the eyes from two feet away, I always feel as though they are analysing me. I never get the feeling that they are afraid.
These rodents are clever and staring a rat in the eyes from two feet away, I always feel as though they are analysing me. I never get the feeling that they are afraid.
😁 I know what you mean! They give a look as if to say - so what you gonna do about it then? There a lot more of us than there are of you!
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
Posts
Let us know how you deal with the problem @northamptongorkamorkaOoZGIgo7 and what works for you. You might get help from this community, but sharing your success will help others in the future too.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
The old cedar shed (put in by the previous owners) floor is thick concrete.
In one area rats had chewed through the concrete floor to gain access to my shed where I used to store veg in winter.
I recall one of my 1st posts on this forum all those years ago was to ascertain what was eating the spuds in my shed.
I even tied a spud to some string and hung it from a rafter about 2ft above the ground. It was nibbled by the following day!
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
First off, I'd like to reassure you that when I say the rats are being moved away, I mean to a large park in our rat infested town, not some farmers field. I live with a bunch of other people, including in various combinations vegetarians, vegans, animal rights activists and buddhists, so killing them isn't an option. there are no ground nesting birds or other wildlife (except more rats) in the park that could be jeopardised by their presence.
Another unfortunate issues is that our compost is primarily used to dispose of food waste. the majority of it is uncooked but some left overs do go in too.
The weather has been pretty dry recently, so I'll try wetting the heap to drive the rats out. Some form of metal reinforcement might help too so I'll see if i can source some.
Someone mentioned they don't like being disturbed, Would a set of wind chimes disturb them do you think?
I've also been googling rat prevention gear, has anyone had any luck with those plug in sonic devices that allegedly keep rats away?
again, thank you all for your help, it's very much appreciated
I may calm them down, but I don't think they would be troubled in the least.
If food waste is being added to the bin, that will be the main problem.
Rats will consider it haute cuisine
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
https://betterhomesteading.com/homestead-garden/composting/bokashi-composting-method/#google_vignette
You release the rats in the park?! A place of recreation for families!?🤯 🤐
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I know what you mean!
They give a look as if to say - so what you gonna do about it then? There a lot more of us than there are of you!
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.