In article ,
Andrew Wells wrote:
Hi

We've got rat(s) in our compost bin (wooden "beehive" sort, with gaps
between
the sections and at the bottom that I can well believe are big enough for a
rat to squeeze through). The council sent someone round today to put down
bait, but:
- is there anything I can do to stop them coming back?

Not a lot. You can turn the heap more often, which annoys the rats
and encourages them to move elsewhere, but rats get everywhere.

- will the worms in there be okay?

Those that haven't been eaten by the rats, yes. It isn't a problem.

- is there any danger of the rat(s) dying in there?

Yes, but they compost down quite well :-)

- will the compost still be okay to use?

Yes. I suggest not putting it on ground where you are going to
grow radishes, carrots for eating raw and so on, but otherwise
there is no need to worry much. Be careful when handling it if
you have cuts on your hands, and make sure that your nearest and
dearest know to mention ratty compost if you suddenly develop a
high fever (Weill's disease). But the chances of any problem
are very low indeed.

Regards,
Nick Maclaren.