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Compost bins

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  • 08-09-2008 9:44pm
    #1
    TJGer
    Registered Users Posts: 25 ✭


    Hi All,

    Just wondering do compost bins attract rodents?? If so whats the best way to keep them out...eg the best make of composter.
    I'm going to plant some veg in the garden and I think it would make good fertiliser but herself does'nt want rats!


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    #2
    Sonnenblumen
    Registered Users Posts: 5,834 ✭✭✭Sonnenblumen


    Normally no risk so long as you only compost uncooked foodstuffs. There does seem to be some evidence that the presence of cooked foods in composters can and does attract various rodents etc.


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    #3
    dh0661
    Registered Users Posts: 2,630 ✭✭✭dh0661


    TJGer wrote: »
    Hi All,

    Just wondering do compost bins attract rodents?? If so whats the best way to keep them out...eg the best make of composter.
    I'm going to plant some veg in the garden and I think it would make good fertiliser but herself does'nt want rats!

    We had a mouse in our compost bin, still can't figure out how it got in there, guaranteed no cooked food, and only about a quarter way full.

    I went to empty the small (lidded) bin into the composter one day and noticed some movement, thought it was a mouse.

    Hubby put a mouse trap on the top and next morning there was a result, he put the trap back in there several times after with no result.

    As I was the one who wanted the compost bin in the first place, green and all that, I'm glad it was not a larger type of rodent, if it was I would have tossed the lot into the black bin.


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    #4
    siochain
    Registered Users Posts: 2,548 ✭✭✭siochain


    I'd say he was only using it as a nice warm home as opposed to been attracted to food.


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    #5
    Mr Kite
    Registered Users Posts: 28 ✭Mr Kite


    Yeah the compost bins that make contact with bare ground have the potential for mice or rats to make a tunnel into the compost. One solution that I use is the old council refuse bin that was in use before the wheelie bins.
    I turned mine upside down and drilled about ten 8mm holes for drainage and then sat the bin on top of a plastic basin of the same diameter. that way There is a liquid run off into the basin - which can be used as a weak organic fertiliser - The lid on the bin stops rodents and the basin stops anything tunnnelling into compost bin.
    I think those old style bins are still on sale into the big DIY stores.

    Slater bud.


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    #6
    construct06
    Registered Users Posts: 505 ✭✭✭construct06


    any pics of that mr. kite sounds like something i might try


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