There's a Rat in the Compost bin wot I'm goona do...

[Green gardener]

SorryLesley Jay! and thanks for the welcome!

It's just you advised the poster to put poison down and although, I am very keen gardener and do not like anything eating my veggies! I am also a animal lover and a keeper and lover of fancy rats, so am a bit biased towards rats in particular (even wild ones). But, equally am totally against inhumane traps or poisons (except, maybe for slugs! ) I know rats can be a pain, especially when they are eating our crops, but there has got to be other ways to deter them.

[Slug]

Jersey Jan, I think you can work out if you've got a mouse or a rat from the shape of the poos - here's where Green Gardener may be better at identifying a rat poo!

I was told (when I had a rodent of some description in the house!), that if the poo looks like bits of rice, then it's a mouse, and if it looks more like raisins then it's a rat.... Luckily I had rice shaped poo in the house!

[Green gardener]

Jersey Jan, I think you can work out if you've got a mouse or a rat from the shape of the poos - here's where Green Gardener may be better at identifying a rat poo!

I was told (when I had a rodent of some description in the house!), that if the poo looks like bits of rice, then it's a mouse, and if it looks more like raisins then it's a rat.... Luckily I had rice shaped poo in the house!

Yes! rats poos are definitely raisins, rather than rice!

[blackkitty]

I practise biological control. We have four cats, funnily enough the only rodents we see are very dead ones.

[nick the grief]

SorryLesley Jay! and thanks for the welcome!

It's just you advised the poster to put poison down and although, I am very keen gardener and do not like anything eating my veggies! I am also a animal lover and a keeper and lover of fancy rats, so am a bit biased towards rats in particular (even wild ones). But, equally am totally against inhumane traps or poisons (except, maybe for slugs! ) I know rats can be a pain, especially when they are eating our crops, but there has got to be other ways to deter them.

Whilst I agree with your sentiments there is the health concerns. Weils disease is not pleasant & could be present in the urine that is no doubt in the compost heap. So try Eviction if you can't bear the alternatives.

[Sunbeam]

we got a cat from the cat protection league when we had a problem - we had about 8 of the little buggers eating the chicken food... absolutely facinating to watch , but as ntg points out, a health hazzard...I just hope she doesn't bring one into the house - like she does with the mice, voles, birds etc!!!

[sewer rat]

How would I deter my fellow rats from the compost bin - four choices really, and in no particular order.
1. Shoot 'em with an air rifle - if you are a good shot, it's quick and painless.
2. Poison 'em - not very quick and you might find them decomposing under a shrub
3. Buy a cat - but only if you live in a town.
4. Buy a Parson Jack Russel Terrier - but only if you have the ability to let them run about all day in wide open spaces.
Me, 1 & 4 are my preferred methods

[zebedee]

MartinXXXXXX

Every time you go to your plot or anywhere near the compost bin, give a good hefty kick! Apparently they soon get fed up and move on. Truthfully, I haven't had this problem, but I have heard this works. Please, let me know.