Baby rats in compost bin
Charlie23
Posts: 2
Hello I'm a newbie here but would like some positive advice on a problem.
I have a wooden behive compost bin that is off the floor but yesterday when trying to empty the bin I discovered a small hairless baby without eyes open about an inch long!! I am sure it must be a baby rat and I picked it out carefully to check.Probably stupid thing to do but did not give a second thought as to it being a mouse or rat however my brain now tells me it was too big to be a baby mouse! At the time yesterday I put it back while I researched what to do. I think I know that I should kill it (and probably the rest) but being a pacifist could someone advise a way to dispatch. Should I open the bin and probably let the mum escape or should I drench the whole compost and trust they drown. I think I must be wrestling with my conscience because I always catch spiders and let them out of the window and feel bad about swatting flies! Any kind words please?
Posts
Don't overthink his you know what to do
I'll be as gentle as I can....I'm afraid sentiment is misplaced when dealing with rats, they are vermin and should be treated as such.
A smart blow with the back of your spade would be (for me) the right thing to do.
PS. I agree with setting spiders free.
Spade as David suggests - short sharp shock and they're despatched. Much kinder than drowning one imagines!
THEN water down the compost bin so that it is damp and uninviting for any returning mother rat building a new nest.
Wrap the baby in newspaper and one quick stomp will do it. Otherwise decapitation by spade works too.. just a bit messy. As the other's said, quick is most humane.
If you don't want to kill them could you dispose of the compost somewhere rurally instead? It sounds like you don't plan on using it now anyway and that way you don't have to fight with your conscience then either.
Don't handle them directly, they can carry very dangerous diseases.
Lean N - You'll just leave the babies to starve instead? The mother will be long gone at the first sign of disturbance.
That's a fair point Blue Onion.
Rats finish weaning by 4 weeks of age so if you decide not to go for the kill option then they should be self sufficient by that point Charlie.
As good an advert for watering compost bins as I've heard all year. Give them a kick on the way past daily, if you can too.
Get a cat! They have no compunction whatsoever and will keep you vermin-free for years.