Mysterious visitor in the compost

[hkreardon]

I was feeding my compost bin yesterday, and noticed that some of the peelings in it had obviously been nibbled by something larger than a worm. When I checked the outside of the bin (I have one of those black plastic dalek-type things), a couple of burrows were clearly visible. What is this beastie likely to be? I plan to move the bin in a couple of weeks, what is the likely actions of said beastie? How can I prevent this happening in the future? I put the usual stuff in the bin, no meat or cooked food, mainly peelings and paper.

[Nicos]

hkreardon - hello ....and welcome to the Vine!!

It's probably one of 2 things- depends on the diameter of the hole
If it's 1" then most likely a mouse, and if 2" then rats.
( 4-5 ins would be a bunny but I think they wouldn't eat off a compost?)

Don't panic if it's mice, but you may want to buy a trap if it's rats as they do spread disease.

A compost is a nice warm place at this time of year for wildlife- we found a dead blackbird huddled into a corner of ours last winter ( v sad)

[vicki lorraine]

Mice could be the culprit, or alternatively it could be a rat. They can burrow up under the bin and make a home. This is a reason why turning the compost is reccommended. If it is a small burrow only about an inch i would say a mouse. having two bins is ideal cos then you can regularly turn the contents this helps to speed up the composting process too.

[Geordie]

It'll be a rat

[nick the grief]

If it's about 3ft diameter it'll be a bear

Hi hkreardon, welcome to the vine. I'd bet it's a rat.

[Sue]

Hi
It would probably be a smaller nibble but I once opened my dalek bin to be confronted with a shrew eating a carrot top. Very casually disappeared down the inside.
Nicos
How sad to hear about your poor huddled blackbird, I've seen wrens creeping in and out of my open caged compost bins and field mice but surprised at blackbirds.
Sue

[Pyewacket]

Mysterious Visitor In The Compost

Hi HKReardon,

Your 'mysterious visitor' is probably mice or rats. They are rather a byproduct of compost bins.

My allotment is adjacent to a wetland nature reserve and I regularly find grass snakes of various sizes curled up asleep in my compost heap. I have also found rats,mice, hedgehogs and rabbits!

A compost heap appears to be a 'des res' for all self respecting wildlife; food, shelter and warmth all in one place!

I find my cat muffin comes in very handy for the mice and rats, although not so much for the snakes! But then they are a protected species apparently so just as well.

PYEWACKET

[snohare]

Could be a vole; they love raised beds and the like, are very partial to having a go at tatties.

[ugly gourd]

I think rat if I think ive got a rat I keep my compost heap very wet think it not so comfortable for them dont know if it works ( To scared to look!! )

[Birdie Wife]

They don't like disturbance much either, so turning over your compost will be beneficial. Check if you have other burrows elsewhere on your plot, under woodpiles, sheds etc. Trapping or poison is the only way to really sort them out I'm afraid, as Nicos says, they spread disease and disturbing them will only shift the problem elsewhere. They'll keep coming back too!