Rats in compost bin

[Gareth the Duck]

Hi there

I have had rats tunnelling into one of my blag plastic composting bins, I can see where they have dug in at the bottom and eat thier way up to the top. I don't know why as I have never put anything other than organic waste in their. Could there be any problems? Will they eat all the worms? Is there anything I can do because even the thought of rats is horrible.

[veggiechicken]

Common problem, I'm sorry to say.
Lots of threads about it, put "rats" in the search bar.
Here's one https://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gr...bin_95034.html

[Can the Man]

Common problem, few suggestions it is hearsay that they don’t like the scent of human urine .........., also you could just put some bait boxes close buy and try kill them.

[nickdub]

I do my composting in plastic barrels which are held off the ground by a horizontal pipe through them which is supported on a home-made aluminium stand (old glazing bars from a scrapped greenhouse)

[DannyK]

Don't bother putting bin on slabs or trying to block access through base.

I did that and they gnawed their way in through the plastic! They came in through top of wormery,

[Gareth the Duck]

Thanks for the advice guys.

I'm going to experiment by tipping the bins out out and put two layers of chicken 25mm mesh on the bottom. Load them back up and see what happpens. I will space the bins out a bit more and have a tidy up to deny them cover and will make a point to visit the plot twice a week to turn the compost over. I they knaw the plastic then I'll have to deal with that perhaps with traps.

Poison is not an option here as there are large numbers of Red Kites, if i create poisoned carrion it could harm the birds.

[Scarlet]

I would put baited snapper traps inside the bins on the top of the compost. They will get through the mesh. You need to keep the numbers down or you will be over run with them.

[bikermike]

They don't like being disturbed or being wet.

Giving the heap a good stir and watering it (or weeing on it) should help get rid. Also avoid putting anything too sweet in it for a bit.

[AntC]

There are new regulations/legislation out that prevents people who have not received the correct training to set bait and bait traps. We are not allowed to undertake our own baiting but have to contact the Council Pest Control Officer.

[DannyK]

There are new regulations/legislation out that prevents people who have not received the correct training to set bait and bait traps. We are not allowed to undertake our own baiting but have to contact the Council Pest Control Officer.

Link please. I've only just taken delivery of bait.

[AntC]

Link please. I've only just taken delivery of bait.

Haven't got a link, just a letter from the Council.

[Scarlet]

There are new regulations/legislation out that prevents people who have not received the correct training to set bait and bait traps. We are not allowed to undertake our own baiting but have to contact the Council Pest Control Officer.

Are you sure that is correct?
The council charge for each visit, not everyone can afford this.
Our local farm sell rat bait - this can only be bought if you have a licence in tubs above a certain weight. I'm not sure on the limit - but the small tubs are big enough for domestic use if you deal with the problem swiftly.
You can certainly still purchase poison, break back traps, live traps and even those sticky boards.
I don't like killing anything. But rats multiply fast, carry disease, and can cause serious damage. While the traps and bait are still available to buy over the counter I will not be contacting a specialist to do the job for me.

[Greenleaves]

I believe it is rat poison containing Bromethalin you can't buy anymore. There is no legislation that bans the use of zinc based or anticoagulant type poisons. Local Authorities may ban the use on their land due to secondary poisoning.

[Aberdeenplotter]

watching this with interest. If vermin can't be controlled we'll all be over run sharpish

[burnie]

I steer away from poison outside due to the fact that it is indiscriminate, even if nothing else eats the poison, an owl or buzzard could eat the dead rat, or someone's pet. I have a licensed air rifle to deal with vermin and only use it if there's a problem. I currently have the odd visit from a rabbit in the back garden, but it is not causing any damage, so it is under surveillance, ditto the rat that visits the bird feeder in the front garden, being watched, trouble with rats is Weil's disease could be transmitted, so I do tend on the side keeping them away if I can, human urine really does seem to deter rats. Collecting some in a bottle saves all those embarrassing moments if you try to use draught...……………………………...