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Compost Heaps / Rats

Dirtman67wetDirtman67wet Posts: 2
in Problem solving

I am digging out one of my 8 feet square compost bins and rats have been in the middle of it, is the compost still ok to use on my allotment?

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  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,146

    I wouldn't hesitate to use it on the veg patch - I would wear gloves if handling it.

    If you had a night camera on your allotment you'd see all sorts of animals, including rats, wandering around there when you're tucked up in your bed. 

    image


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





  • PalustrisPalustris Posts: 4,307

    Been using rat visited compost on our Veg patch for 21 years. We are still alive                ,just!

  • CloggieCloggie Posts: 1,457

    I've got a swede in a veg bed that has teeth-marks in it - it's by the side of my heaps which are in plastic daleks.

    We set up the night vision, motion-detecting, wildlife cam to see who was making the marks and caught someone whiskery living under the shed who came out, sniffed the camera (steaming up the lens) and then ran off across the fields.

     I'll see if I can find the photies.

    I am loathe to eat that particular swede but since the daleks are mostly full of grass clippings, Mulchings, cardboard and paper and do run hot, I like to think I'm not encouraging them in.

  • Guernsey Donkey2Guernsey Donkey2 Posts: 6,713

    I have just seen this thread, and want to add the same as Verdun. Never put cooked food, or any type of meat on your compost heaps. This will certainly attract rats.

    We have had very few rats on our compost heaps, but the year we decided to cover the heap with old carpet was the year I saw one very happy, warm rat making a nest under the carpet.  So now our heaps are open to the weather and we still get a decent amount of compost to spread on our veggie patch each winter.

  • CloggieCloggie Posts: 1,457

    I would never use cooked food on the heap, too risky. I do empty the vaccuum cleaner onto the heap (which must contain skin cells and dog hair so lovely organic stuff!).

    ..still trying to find the pics, they were cute. image

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,146

    I agree GD , covering compost heaps makes a warm snug home for rats in the winter. 


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





  • Dirtman67wetDirtman67wet Posts: 2

    Thanks everyone I will not cover it with carpet then like I usually do and leave it open to the elements.

    I do not add any cooked food to my compost bins.

    Thanks

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