Making Rat-free Compost

Making compost at home has many advantages. It cuts down on the amount of waste we produce, and the fuel used to transport it to landfill sites or incinerators. Organic waste rotting down in landfill creates methane and contributes to global warming. Even modern landfill sites, that collect methane, can’t catch it all. And home made compost is the best source of fertility for your garden, ensuring bumper crops and bountiful flowers without costing a cent. But many gardeners are wary of making compost at home, because they believe a compost heap attracts rats and other vermin. In fact there is no need for a compost heap to cause problems, and following a few simple rules will ensure that it doesn’t.

Firstly, you need to consider where you will put your compost bin. It’s tempting to put it right down at the end of the garden, where it’s out of sight. But there are several reasons why this might not be the best place. If you’re new to composting, then having the bin at the end of the garden won’t encourage you to use it – especially when the weather is bad. And a nice, quiet spot with little human traffic is ideal for rats – they’re shy creatures and prefer not to be disturbed. Putting the bin nearer to the house encourages regular use and discourages rats. A sunny spot keeps the bin warm and speeds up the composting process, and leaving a space between the bin and fences and walls forces rats out into the open (which they hate) if they want to get to the compost.

Although anything that was once alive will compost, being selective about what you add to your compost bin cuts down on rat problems. Garden waste, vegetable peelings, coffee grounds and tea bags, paper, cardboard and egg shells are all fine to add to the compost bin. Avoid adding cooked food, meat and fish, dairy products, bread or bones to the heap, all of which may attract rats looking for food.

Getting the mix of compost materials right also helps to avoid problems. Compost materials are divided into “greens” (wet, soft materials like grass clippings and vegetable waste) and “browns” (dry, woodier materials like fallen leaves and cardboard). Try to add similar amounts of both types of material. If you have a lot of grass clippings to add to the compost bin, balance them out by adding some scrunched up newspaper or cardboard. A happy heap will compost quickly, and be too wet to make a good home for rats. If your compost looks dry, try adding some water.

Using a closed bin with a lid, instead of a sprawling heap, makes it harder for rats to get into the heap. If you follow the rules above then the rats shouldn’t be trying too hard to get into your heap, but if you’ve already had rat problems then you may need to make it harder for them. You can site a compost bin on stone or concrete – it doesn’t have to be on open soil for the composting processes to work. Alternatively, try wrapping narrow gauge wire mesh (something tough, look out for suitable construction materials) round the bottom of the bin and underneath the bin, to prevent rats tunnelling in or biting through the plastic walls.

When your compost is finished, you can safely use it on the garden without worrying about rats, but it’s wise to wear gloves when handling compost or to wash your hand thoroughly afterwards.