Yellowrose Posted December 22, 2006 Share Posted December 22, 2006 I like the idea of a small composter, I know you can get them cheaply through the council bins people. However I am really really paranoid about getting rats. This happened to my parents in two different houses when they had compost heaps, I remember one of them was in an open box type structure. They never used cooked food only garden waste and peelings, but still got rats. How can I do it in a fairly small space and exclude rats? Do I have to get one with a bottom in? Will I have to turn it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yellowrose Posted December 27, 2006 Author Share Posted December 27, 2006 You lot are quiet. You must be having a really busy Christmas! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neeeeeeeeeek Posted December 27, 2006 Share Posted December 27, 2006 Chicken wire underneath. Keeps the rats out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamMT Posted December 28, 2006 Share Posted December 28, 2006 We have one and no rats (i dont think!). If you get one where you get the composted stuff out the bottom and put the fresh in the top I dont think you have to do anything to it? Or at least we dont! No expert tho... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don_Kiddick Posted December 29, 2006 Share Posted December 29, 2006 We're a 6 composter family & never seen a rat yet Adjacent to farmland too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kim69 Posted December 30, 2006 Share Posted December 30, 2006 I have a composter at the top of my garden, which I got via the council, I have it stood on a plastic base with slits in which also came from the council, and I have had it for 2 years and dont have a rat problem. SamMT I put new stuff in the top and get compost out the bottom, but I still give it a good stir every now and then, not sure that it helps much though! I also have 3 composters made from pallets on the allotment and I have not seen any rats in the vicinity. But then I'm biased anyway as I had a pet rat who used to sit on my shoulder and watch television with me. She is now in ratty heaven. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jabberwocky Posted December 30, 2006 Share Posted December 30, 2006 This morning I lobbed a ton of stuff into my composter which filled it up to the top. I took a spade and started to ram it into the composter to stir it all up and make more room, but a three foot long sprout stalk that was in there was waiting for me. As I rammed the spade in, it hit the end of the stalk, catapulting a load of rotting, stinking old food and garden waste straight into my face. Actually it was mildly better then the aftershave i use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yellowrose Posted January 6, 2007 Author Share Posted January 6, 2007 I have a composter at the top of my garden, which I got via the council, I have it stood on a plastic base with slits in which also came from the council, and I have had it for 2 years and dont have a rat problem. SamMT I put new stuff in the top and get compost out the bottom, but I still give it a good stir every now and then, not sure that it helps much though! I also have 3 composters made from pallets on the allotment and I have not seen any rats in the vicinity. But then I'm biased anyway as I had a pet rat who used to sit on my shoulder and watch television with me. She is now in ratty heaven. So the plastic base is worth paying extra for, as a rat deterrant?? Because if I have to buy wire netting I might as well just buy the base. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neeeeeeeeeek Posted January 6, 2007 Share Posted January 6, 2007 Yep.............. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yellowrose Posted January 6, 2007 Author Share Posted January 6, 2007 This morning I lobbed a ton of stuff into my composter which filled it up to the top. I took a spade and started to ram it into the composter to stir it all up and make more room, but a three foot long sprout stalk that was in there was waiting for me. As I rammed the spade in, it hit the end of the stalk, catapulting a load of rotting, stinking old food and garden waste straight into my face. Actually it was mildly better then the aftershave i use. They would be the new strain of attack-sprouts then? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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