After watching rats climb the bird feeder and finding knawed food remains in the dalek, I moved all my compost bins around. They now rest on small gauge chicken wire which comes up the sides. That seems to have worked. OH shot the rats on the bird feeder with his shotgun...
No rats in heap yet, though we have had them in the garden after the birdfeed, and also droppings in the shed and gnawed stored birdfeed sacks and bulbs. The council put down bait for us. However, we have had toads in the compost heap, which whilst I like toads in general, did give me a bit of a turn when getting out some compost to use.
That's the trouble with wildlife friendly gardens - you don't get any choice about the wildlife that takes up residence. My MIL had very bad legs and could hardly walk, in later life, but she met a frog hopping about in the garden one day and got up quite a turn of speed as she ran to the house, with her kness almost touching her chin!
No bait was taken from near the bins yesterday, so I'm hoping the problem is now resolved.
MMP, I'll get one of those Darlak things. I hadn't heard of them before, so thanks.
I purchased a dalek compost bin via the Council, they take loads of garden waste which is great and it does die down quickly in them even though I have to push it down when its full. I have had one going for 2 years and when I go to pop some lawn clippings etc in there there is always a foot of space in the top and I can see grubs etc moving around doing their job. Don't know if there are any rats in there I have not seen any and it is at the bottom of the garden. How long should compost take before you can use it, this is my first attempt with making home made compost.
I have a 'Dalek' oop t'lotty, and it has become a very good tool for 'forcing' rhubarb ! As far as composting is concerned, I don't think there is such a thing as the perfik composter ! They seem to be only for the gardening experts on TV shows, with lots of spare time to do all the turning, mixing, piling in specific heaps and still have time to tell us how to produce the wonderful mixes they show us. \i am just a grumpy old cynic. Next year, I shall simply dig a trench and dump the kitchen stuff, + lawn trimmings, + old newspapers & etc, into the trench, and cover it up with the next trench.
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After watching rats climb the bird feeder and finding knawed food remains in the dalek, I moved all my compost bins around. They now rest on small gauge chicken wire which comes up the sides. That seems to have worked. OH shot the rats on the bird feeder with his shotgun...
The only trouble with shooting rats, is the MESS that it makes. Don't mind killing pests as long as it's a clean kill.
As the troops are coming back gradually, from Afghanistan, there might be some surplus sniper rifles going on ebay ! Rat a twoey for Tea ?
PB, I like it!
Or sp-rats? Or how about ca-rat cake?
No rats in heap yet, though we have had them in the garden after the birdfeed, and also droppings in the shed and gnawed stored birdfeed sacks and bulbs. The council put down bait for us. However, we have had toads in the compost heap, which whilst I like toads in general, did give me a bit of a turn when getting out some compost to use.
That's the trouble with wildlife friendly gardens - you don't get any choice about the wildlife that takes up residence. My MIL had very bad legs and could hardly walk, in later life, but she met a frog hopping about in the garden one day and got up quite a turn of speed as she ran to the house, with her kness almost touching her chin!
No bait was taken from near the bins yesterday, so I'm hoping the problem is now resolved.
MMP, I'll get one of those Darlak things. I hadn't heard of them before, so thanks.
I have a 'Dalek' oop t'lotty, and it has become a very good tool for 'forcing' rhubarb ! As far as composting is concerned, I don't think there is such a thing as the perfik composter ! They seem to be only for the gardening experts on TV shows, with lots of spare time to do all the turning, mixing, piling in specific heaps and still have time to tell us how to produce the wonderful mixes they show us. \i am just a grumpy old cynic. Next year, I shall simply dig a trench and dump the kitchen stuff, + lawn trimmings, + old newspapers & etc, into the trench, and cover it up with the next trench.
Keep
It
Simple
Stupid
is my motto
finally have spotted the rat in the compost bin , had high level of suspicion seeing as how the compost seemed to be turning itself!
may call in the council to sort out, but good ideas in here.
starve it no fruit or cooked foods , ie bread fat etc . they will move on