Rodent compost

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Rodent compost

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Blue Peter

Joined: 21 Mar 2005
Posts: 2400
Location: Milton Keynes

Posted: Mon Apr 11, 05 10:17 am Post subject: Rodent compost
I'm prettyy certain that we've had rodents in our compost bins at times this winter (but don't know what sort). Is there any problem in using it for growing food, especially if it's been rats? Peter.

tahir

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45670
Location: Essex

Posted: Mon Apr 11, 05 10:22 am Post subject:
I think it's fairly common to have rodents attack your compost, we;ve definitely had mice in ours before, still used the compost though.

judith

Joined: 16 Dec 2004
Posts: 22789
Location: Montgomeryshire

Posted: Mon Apr 11, 05 10:34 am Post subject:
You probably have rodents walking all over your veg beds at night all the time. All least the poo in your compost bins will be composted

Blue Peter

Joined: 21 Mar 2005
Posts: 2400
Location: Milton Keynes

Posted: Mon Apr 11, 05 11:22 am Post subject: Probably true
damn 'em, Peter.

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Mon Apr 11, 05 11:24 am Post subject:
The only think that concerns me with the odd rat we get is the risk of picking something up from the compost bin. That reminds me, I must have a little word with our latest visitor. If you use poison take care as poisoned animals may pose a risk to livestock such as hens etc.

judith

Joined: 16 Dec 2004
Posts: 22789
Location: Montgomeryshire

Posted: Mon Apr 11, 05 11:28 am Post subject: Re: Probably true

PeterHiett wrote:

damn 'em,

My sentiments exactly. We've got a bit of a mouse problem in the house at the mo. I'm trying to resist getting a cat, but we might have to give in - scrabbling in the roof space isn't conducive to a good night's sleep.

Blue Peter

Joined: 21 Mar 2005
Posts: 2400
Location: Milton Keynes

Posted: Mon Apr 11, 05 12:08 pm Post subject:
FWIW, we also had mouse problems in the cavities and loft last year. This: https://www.martleyelectronics.co.uk/pestcontrol-rodent.html#pcpro seemed to do the job (and blocking up the hole where they could get access to food cupboards). I don't know that I'm totally happy about the electric field thing, but it does seem to help with those problem cavities, Peter.

judith

Joined: 16 Dec 2004
Posts: 22789
Location: Montgomeryshire

Posted: Mon Apr 11, 05 12:42 pm Post subject:
Thanks for the link. I always wondered how well those repellant things worked - nice to have an endorsement. It certainly would be cheaper than a cat in the long run!

Guest

Posted: Mon Apr 11, 05 1:27 pm Post subject:
But you can't stroke a plastic box (well, obviously you can, but....) The advantage of this sort of thing is that it deals with the little blighters in the cavities, where your cat can't really get, Peter.

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