A keen gardener has shared the one thing you need to place in your outdoor compost bins to prevent rats from being attracted to them – and it’s so simple. The last thing you want around, or even in, your property, is rats. The rodents might be cute to some, but the furry creatures are not your friends, as they can pose significant health risks, damaging property and contaminating food.
And if rats get into your compost bins, this means that they’re way more likely to try and get into your home. Simon Akeroyd shared how you can stop the pests from entering your compost bins, and therefore, hopefully keep them out of your garden and your home forever.
He wrote: “Compost bins can, unfortunately, attract rats. They particularly like these plastic cylinder types of compost bins as they can burrow underneath and up, and then enjoy the warm, insulated environment. It’s like a five-star hotel to them!
“Rats can pass on diseases, so ideally you don’t want them in your compost bin. Compost bins should ideally not be placed on hard surfaces, such as patio slabs and tarmac.
“This is because you want worms to move in and out of your compost bin from the soil below! This aeration from worms below helps prevent your compost bin from becoming stagnant.
“Placing a sturdy wire mesh under the bin instead of patio slabs will prevent rats from burrowing underneath, but at the same time, still allow worms to move in and out of the bin. If you have a serious rat problem, you might take further measures, as a real infestation will get in almost anywhere, and even chew through the mesh!
“This wire mesh will keep a few at bay for a while! But not an infestation!”
In the comments of Simon’s TikTok video, someone also fumed about mice, writing: “A mouse got in my house and went underneath my nice dishwasher, fairly new, and chewed through all the tubing for the water and the electrical wires. Had to get a new one. I’m not a fan of them.”
A second agreed about their compost, sharing: “Yeah, mine are on concrete and have nice little rat-shaped holes chewed out of the bottom of them.” A third wrote: “Oh, brilliant, thanks, I’m just about to start composting.”
Somebody did say that they “don’t mind wildlife,” however, saying it’s a privilege to be able to live alongside these creatures – although many people certainly do not see it in this way.
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