Has your compost begun to be frequented by local rodents? Give these hairy critters the order to leave!
Steps
Step 1. Review what you are composting
Some foods can attract rodents more than others, such as bread and baked goods. Avoid including these foods, especially cooked and processed ones. Also, don't add meat or fish scraps. Also leave dairy products, bones, oils, fatty foods, and pet feces out of the pile. Meat, fish and dairy products should not be composted into normal household compost for any reason, as they can harbor human pathogens that can be harmful.
Rats that keep returning will likely continue to do so with plant waste as well. It may be necessary to stop placing them in the pile until the problem is resolved by creating a different compost or getting rid of the mice by other means. This means that you can compost only grass scraps and not household food scraps
Step 2. Keep the mound moist and turn it over regularly
It is a less comfortable environment for mice when wet and constantly stirred!
- The ideal humidity of a compost pile is about the same as that of a wrung-out dish sponge.
- Look for a good balance between green materials and topsoil to maintain a good moisture level in the compost. Add water when the heap gets too dry.
- High-carbon materials (e.g. dry leaves or dead plants) placed at the base of the pile and lining the container walls can improve airflow, control odors, and aid drainage. The important thing is to keep this "earthy" material moist.
Step 3. Go to the heap often
Rats and mice are shy when disturbed by humans, and being seen often can already be a good deterrent.
Step 4. Re-evaluate the compost setting
If it doesn't turn plant waste into something less attractive to rodents within 24-48 hours, the compost design needs to be changed. You may need more nitrogen or more mass to ensure it gets warm enough, smaller material waste, and more moisture.
- Compost that heats up more likely deters rodents more easily than a cold compost method.
- It seems that rats and mice don't like bokashi, so you may want to consider using this method if you've tried to keep your pile out of rodents to no avail.
Step 5. Bury the food scraps deep
If rodents seem to be partying in your pile, make it difficult for them to get the tastiest morsels (kitchen scraps) by burying them in the center of the compost, placing additional layers of plant material on top.
Alternatively, if you don't want to bury the scraps every time, keep a scoop next to the container and add a layer of leaves, soil, or finished compost on top of the food scraps each time you put them in the pile. These materials cover up the smell of food and the microorganisms in the soil help speed up the composting process
Step 6. Encourage local birds of prey to approach your compost pile by placing it near tree branches
Do not prune the lower branches of such trees.
Step 7. Put a lot of physical barriers against rodents
Keep a lid on the compost pile. Make sure the compost bin or heap always has a lid to keep local wildlife out. Prevent animals from digging to access the underside by placing a wire mesh with a 5-6 mm mesh under the container. This net can also be used to cover any already gnawed holes.
The advantage of the wire mesh compared to other types of barrier is that it allows access to worms (whose presence in the compost is very desirable), as well as allows good drainage
Step 8. Collect ready compost every 3-6 months
This prevents rodents from being tempted to nest in your heap.
Advice
- Keep the compost bin away from walls, ditches and any other areas that could be a refuge for rodents. Keep it outdoors as much as possible.
- Encourage your cat to check the compost area from time to time!
- If you have a pile in the open air, store it indoors. Get a suitable plastic bin or other suitable structure at a hardware store or garden center, or build the closed structure yourself. The pile of compost outdoors makes it too easy for rodents to access the tasty scraps.
- Plant lavender or mint around the base of the composter. rats and mice dislike these herbs.
- Composted straw bales can facilitate rodent infestations, because straw for them is the basic element for the nest. It may be necessary to get rid of this type of mound and replace it with something less inviting to rodents.
- Make sure your whole yard is unattractive to rodents, always keep lids on litter, regularly remove garbage and materials that could serve as a nest, collect leaves and other material that can be added to compost by placing it in closed containers, such as a garbage can. If you feed the birds, clean up the mess they make with the seeds after eating.
Warnings
- Always wear gloves when handling compost. This protects you from the potential for contagion of human pathogens, if any, but it could also protect you from a rodent bite if you're that unfortunate.
- Too much grass clippings could become suitable nesting material. Mix it well in the compost, to prevent it from being used this way.
