Compost Discussion Thread (Merged Threads)

Moggles_2

We had a family of mice nesting in the bottom of our compost box for several winters. They never caused any problems, though we had to take care when emptying the box. Eventually they moved on.

surfsister

rats can be a problem and it's best to avoid adding any cooked food to the composter.

I had a green joanna composter supposedly ratproof and one chewed a chunk out of the side! Also don't add egg shells as rats eat these too.

Advice from the rat man who came to put down poison.

Don't be put off though I've been composting for ages.

Moggles_2

Yes. Rats are resourceful little so-and-sos.
IMO, a wormery is the best place for egg shells and kitchen scraps in general.

tiff

save-a-lot wrote:

Hi

There is a simple solution to this, leave the lid off for a day or two and this will alleviate the problem as fruit fly predators can get into the bin.

Brilliant, we have loads of flies in ours but I didnt think to leave the lid off.

Bargainbabe_2

ilovecakes06 wrote:

hi, well we've been using a compost bin and recycling organic matter, however we do seem to have developed a problem of rats and mice. now its all sealed in a compost bin, but there are still rats about, i think they must be diggin undeneath it (and we never had a problem before).

is there any way around this because it very offputting continuing recycling. and its not apropriate to be putting down posion as we have hedgehogs. the council have put down traps and it seems to have solved the problem BUT i dont think i will continue using the compost heap if the problem will only arise again in the future. any suggestions?

You think you have a problem with rats? Well it could be worse, you could have baby armadillos! :rotfl: :

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=267714

conradmum

Do you or a neighbour have rabbits or chickens in their garden? Rats hang around these areas because they eat the leftover food. It could be nothing to do with your compost bin.

save-a-lot

tiff wrote:

Brilliant, we have loads of flies in ours but I didnt think to leave the lid off.

Also, it lets some moisture into the bin which can help things out a bit

ailuro2

I agree with the cooked food thing- especially meats.

At least that's what my s-i-l found when she had one.
All our compost goes to the council for composting and selling- we don't garden much so are happy for them to have it.

Moggles_2

The best way to recycle kitchen waste, IMO, is by worm composting. This takes up little space, time or effort. You can add small quantities at a time to a wormery, it does not give off unpleasant smells and it produces a quality end product!

Ksandra

Try wrapping all your food in a couple of sheets of newspaper. If you still have problems you can use an organic accelerator to help break down food. Once it has started to break down rats and mice lose interest.