[tgg]

How do I keep rats out of my compost pile?

I want to grow the healthiest fruits and vegetables that I can, using only natural fertilizer.

[James Kilkelly, was GPI.]

Hello tgg.
Firstly, have a look at this Irish Gardeners article on garden rats http://www.gardenplansireland.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=235

Then use some or all of the following tips to deter rats from your compost area...

1/ Any composting materials that fall onto the ground around the compost heap should be picked up.

2/ A rat is more likely to enter a compost bin in the garden if incorrect materials have been composted. Never compost meat, fish, bones or other cooked foods, also do not add dairy products such as milk or yogurts.Don't give the rat a food source as well as a shelter.

3/ Top up and fork over your compost regularly, as rats do not like to be disturbed. Try positioning your compost heap where it gets regularly walked by, this will continually disturb the vermin.

4/ Place the compost bin or heap in an open area. Rats hate the exposure of travelling across an open piece of ground Rats don’t like to cross open spaces as it makes them more visable to predetors.

5/ A plastic compost heap which you buy in, can often have a lid you can strap, clamp on screw on, this will help prevent rat access. A homemade compost heap can be covered with a sheet of plywood and weighted heavily, this may cause a slight slowing of the composting process, but you can't have everything.

6/ All access gaps into the composting unit a half inch or larger should be covered with galvanised metal mesh. The best mesh is the one with very small gaps, so use builders diamond mesh which is often used in plastering jobs and to to strengthen concrete.

This can be pegged to the soil beneath the bin or heap to prevent rat entry but still allow worms to enter and provide drainage and aeration. On a compost heap created from old pallets, you must tack this mesh to the insides of the heap walls also.

7/ Remember, where rats are around, it is a good idea to wear gloves when handling your compost and soil.

[BlackBird]

Lavender and catmint are known to deter rats. Try planting them around the compost heap. A ring of steel.

[verge]

Member Inishindie has posted an interesting article on rats and compost heaps here....... RATS

[Lizard]

That's interesting.. what you said about rats and open space. Well done for not suggesting rat poison. I have two very cute pet rats at home, and when I let them out for a run on the bathroom floor, they always end up hiding behind the toilet - this used to puzzle me.. but now I know thanks!

[NoobGardener]

I know this is an old thread, but something I've always wondered
Everytime I read about making compost, it always says don't add meat or cooked food...but it always says after, as this may attract vermin.
My question is, can you actually compost meat/dairy etc if you can 100% guarantee no vermin would get to it? I mean, apart from vermin, is there a reason to not compost meat etc
I'm not thinking of doing it, I'm just wondering.
Thanks

[Sive]

I assume anything that comes from a living organism will decay if given enough time.
However it might not smell too sweet in the process !
I ignore the "cooked food" ban, and have done so for over 30 years composting, with no problems.
However when I say "cooked food" I don't mean any animal products.....but I regularly add cooked leftovers such as vegetables, rice, pasta, and stale bread.
I don't compost meat, fat, cheese or fish.
I also have a long-held ambition......... to end up in my compost heap myself....but it will have to be my ashes !

[Fiachra]

I have a pot of mint beside the compost heap and one on top of the (broken) cover.So far no rats.I read somewhere that bananas and melons attract rats so I don't compost these.

[sal]

i have a jack russell and 3 cats,but mint planted by the composter is something i must try ,and around my chicken coop,as i give them melon and banana skins,thanks for that tip

[forest flame]

we recently got the brown bin from the council and you can put nearlly everything in it left over meat bones fish veg bread pasta etc. etc. the downside is the smell and the amount of flies.is anyone familiar with a method of reducing the fly content considerably thanks in advance

[sal]

my daughter planted lemon balm in the chicken coop to keep away flies,we also have a couple of yarrow plants in there too,sophie our chicken lingers round them and is very quick to grab the insects that fly to the yarrow,perhaps that is why no flies?or maybe the lemon balm is doing its job,i also heard lavender repels flies.

[forest flame]

cheers sal thanks for that will try those love lemon balm