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Rats and Compost Heaps

mrsvictoriaorford202134580mrsvictoriaorford202134580 Posts: 1
in Problem solving
I have rats. Apparently rats like compost heaps.  How does one keep a compost heap without attracting rats?
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  • bertrand-mabelbertrand-mabel Posts: 2,697
    You can't
  • CeresCeres Posts: 2,698
    Too true. 
    I did have smaller rodents in my heaps but when I took off the lid and found a large rat staring back at me, I decided to rest all the heaps and tackle them this autumn. I will be putting wire mesh under each heap in an attempt to keep the bald tailed rodents away from the contents.
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    edited October 2023
    These are two good videos on rats in the compost. They explore approaches to the question. They might offer some kind of useful info. 

    RED Gardens:

  • Joyce GoldenlilyJoyce Goldenlily Posts: 2,933
    As long as you never ever put cooked food remains on the compost heap I would just put rat poison down in the near vicinity of the heaps if they really bother you. Otherwise, just accept there are rats everywhere and it is impossible to eradicate them totally. They do a very good job of cleaning up a lot of the waste that is left lying around by us humans.
    I live in an area where a lot of people keep chickens so I would be on a hiding to nothing if I tried to get rid of them. I just have had to learn to live with them being around. I hate the look of them and always keep my fingers crossed that my dog or cat never gets bitten by one.
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445
    as long as they don't come inside they can live in the garden. I don't poison, the effects on the rest of my ecosystem rule that out


    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited October 2023
    Like us, rats like a cozy dry home … if they’re living in your compost heap it’s too dry and not being turned enough. Stirring  it (and them) up and keeping it well dampened will encourage them to move out … 

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





  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    Apparently they don't like disturbance. Bang or kick the side of the bin regularly, whenever you're passing.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • thevictorianthevictorian Posts: 1,279
    Disturbing the bin works well and so does male urine if you have easy access to it (which is also good for adding nitrogen). We were once told to pee around our sweetcorn because we had problems with rats and we haven't had a problem since.
  • StephenSouthwestStephenSouthwest Posts: 635
    https://www.barnowltrust.org.uk/hazards-solutions/rodenticides/safer-rat-control/

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    They wouldn't fancy my compost bins - too cold/wet @mrsvictoriaorford202134580, so 
    I'd agree - if they're making a home in there it's because it's nice and cosy and dry.
    A good mix, and a bit of moisture should help move them on, but be vigilant - they might just find somewhere else they fancy - under a shed or similar.
    If you're more rural, it's part of the landscape, but in a more domestic setting, it's not ideal - for you or any other residents. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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