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Rats in compost.. what can I do?
Gasp!
I was turning my compost bin over the week end, and four rats ran out of it... I was warned not to put any cooked or meat based organic stuff in the bin, and have been careful not to. The following is what goes in: Grass clippings (possibly a little too much, as it is a bit wet and yukky at the moment) Shredded paper (newspaper and other, but not glossy paper) Kitchen waste (veg peelings, stale bread, and such) Shrub/tree clippings Weeds Is some of what I am putting in at fault? Is the fact that my compost is too wet part of the problem? I have added shredded newspaper this w/e to try and mop up the wet. Fortunately, my box is at the very end of the garden, and therefore not near the house - so no danger of rats moving in. Still, I would like to do something about it, but am a bit at a loss... I should say that the land beyond our back boundary - against which the composter backs - is wasteland which may well have its own rat population, although I am only surmising this. So not only do I need to get rid of the current inhabitants of my bin but I'd need to make sure I am not attracting any more. I did turn the compost reasonably thoroughly this w/e, so that the grassy goo is more homogeneously spread - perhaps rats are not keen on a gooey home? I really do not know what to do... help! -- Cat(h) The world swirls... -- Cat(h) The world swirls... |
On Mon, 4 Oct 2004 09:47:29 +0100, "Cat"
wrote: Gasp! I was turning my compost bin over the week end, and four rats ran out of it... I would say contact your local council. They may be keen to help you get rid of the rats. You saw 4. There may be more. Pam in Bristol |
In article , "Cat" writes: | Gasp! | I was turning my compost bin over the week end, and four rats ran out of | it... | I was warned not to put any cooked or meat based organic stuff in the bin, | and have been careful not to. That is an old wife's tale. It makes no difference whatsoever. | Is some of what I am putting in at fault? Is the fact that my compost is | too wet part of the problem? I have added shredded newspaper this w/e to | try and mop up the wet. No. | Fortunately, my box is at the very end of the garden, and therefore not near | the house - so no danger of rats moving in. Still, I would like to do | something about it, but am a bit at a loss... Turn the heap over or get the rat man in. | I should say that the land beyond our back boundary - against which the | composter backs - is wasteland which may well have its own rat population, | although I am only surmising this. That is the reason. As crops are harvested and winter sets in, they move into compost heaps in search of warmth and food. | So not only do I need to get rid of the current inhabitants of my bin but | I'd need to make sure I am not attracting any more. There is nothing, precisely nothing, that you can do to ensure that. They are attracted by the warmth and the worms, both of which are essential aspects of a compost heap. | I did turn the compost reasonably thoroughly this w/e, so that the grassy | goo is more homogeneously spread - perhaps rats are not keen on a gooey | home? They will go once disturbed, anyway. Temporarily. Regards, Nick Maclaren. |
In article , Nick Maclaren
writes They will go once disturbed, anyway. Temporarily. Rats are pretty common. There's a saying that you're never more than 60ft from a rat. Or 20ft. Or something. Call the council rat catcher, or buy some rat traps. But don't over- react or feel that you are a public health nuisance - just relax. Rats happen. -- Kay "Do not insult the crocodile until you have crossed the river" |
In article , Kay writes: | In article , Nick Maclaren | writes | | They will go once disturbed, anyway. Temporarily. | | Rats are pretty common. There's a saying that you're never more than | 60ft from a rat. Or 20ft. Or something. Yes. I think the accurate one says that 99% of the population is within XXX feet of a rat at any one time. I don't believe that people swimming 100x offshore are likely to have their toes nibbled by a passing rat, somehow. | Call the council rat catcher, or buy some rat traps. But don't over- | react or feel that you are a public health nuisance - just relax. Rats | happen. Equally well, don't treat them as just large mice and ignore them. They are a significant health hazard, though NOT enough of one to go into panic mode. Regards, Nick Maclaren. |
"Nick Maclaren" wrote in message ... In article , Kay writes: | In article , Nick Maclaren | writes | | They will go once disturbed, anyway. Temporarily. | | Rats are pretty common. There's a saying that you're never more than | 60ft from a rat. Or 20ft. Or something. Yes. I think the accurate one says that 99% of the population is within XXX feet of a rat at any one time. I don't believe that people swimming 100x offshore are likely to have their toes nibbled by a passing rat, somehow. | Call the council rat catcher, or buy some rat traps. But don't over- | react or feel that you are a public health nuisance - just relax. Rats | happen. Equally well, don't treat them as just large mice and ignore them. They are a significant health hazard, though NOT enough of one to go into panic mode. I am not too sure local authorities in Ireland have rat exterminators ready to pounce at the citizens' request... though of course I might be wrong. I propose to put rat traps - not poisoned ones, as I wish no harm on the neighbours' cats - more the larger versions of what you get for mice. I'll have to check next w/e if my disturbing the heap has actually got rid of them. What do people recommend for baiting traps? Am I right in assuming that bacon works as well on rats as it does on mice? I am not freaked: I live in the country, and rats are a common enough occurrence, so long as they don't come into the house, I am happy enough. However, I have no intention to facilitate them by offering B&B on my property. So, traps it is then. Thank you Pam, Nick and Kay for your good advice. -- Cat(h) The world swirls... |
On Mon, 4 Oct 2004 13:54:43 +0100, "Cat"
wrote: snip What do people recommend for baiting traps? Am I right in assuming that bacon works as well on rats as it does on mice? Cold pork sausage is where it's at, apparently. Regards, -- Stephen Howard - Woodwind repairs & period restorations www.shwoodwind.co.uk Emails to: showard{whoisat}shwoodwind{dot}co{dot}uk |
"Cat" wrote in message ... Gasp! I was turning my compost bin over the week end, and four rats ran out of it... I was warned not to put any cooked or meat based organic stuff in the bin, and have been careful not to. The following is what goes in: Grass clippings (possibly a little too much, as it is a bit wet and yukky at the moment) Shredded paper (newspaper and other, but not glossy paper) Kitchen waste (veg peelings, stale bread, and such) Shrub/tree clippings Weeds Is some of what I am putting in at fault? Is the fact that my compost is too wet part of the problem? I have added shredded newspaper this w/e to try and mop up the wet. Fortunately, my box is at the very end of the garden, and therefore not near the house - so no danger of rats moving in. Still, I would like to do something about it, but am a bit at a loss... I should say that the land beyond our back boundary - against which the composter backs - is wasteland which may well have its own rat population, although I am only surmising this. So not only do I need to get rid of the current inhabitants of my bin but I'd need to make sure I am not attracting any more. I did turn the compost reasonably thoroughly this w/e, so that the grassy goo is more homogeneously spread - perhaps rats are not keen on a gooey home? I really do not know what to do... help! Calm down. Cats also are vectors for a number of diseases, and yet there are folk who live blissfully with cats as pets. Did you know that the police are now training rats to do the jobs that sniffer dogs usually to do? The rats are apparently better at it. Franz Franz |
"Stephen Howard" wrote in message ... On Mon, 4 Oct 2004 13:54:43 +0100, "Cat" wrote: snip What do people recommend for baiting traps? Am I right in assuming that bacon works as well on rats as it does on mice? Cold pork sausage is where it's at, apparently. Cooked or raw? And do they expect relish on the side? Will they go pester the neighbours if I put broccoli instead? Just wondering :-) -- Cat(h) The world swirls... |
Cat wrote:
:: Gasp! :: I was turning my compost bin over the week end, and four rats ran :: out of it... :: I was warned not to put any cooked or meat based organic stuff in :: the bin, and have been careful not to. :: The following is what goes in: :: Grass clippings (possibly a little too much, as it is a bit wet :: and yukky at the moment) :: Shredded paper (newspaper and other, but not glossy paper) :: Kitchen waste (veg peelings, stale bread, and such) :: Shrub/tree clippings :: Weeds The only things to interest rats in this lot is the bread..they already have an ample (and free) supply of all vegetable products, so there's nothing much in that department of any interest to them...cut out the bread and watch them disappear! :: Is some of what I am putting in at fault? Is the fact that my :: compost is too wet part of the problem? I have added shredded :: newspaper this w/e to try and mop up the wet. :: Fortunately, my box is at the very end of the garden, and :: therefore not near the house - so no danger of rats moving in. :: Still, I would like to do something about it, but am a bit at a :: loss... :: I should say that the land beyond our back boundary - against :: which the composter backs - is wasteland which may well have its :: own rat population, although I am only surmising this. :: So not only do I need to get rid of the current inhabitants of my :: bin but I'd need to make sure I am not attracting any more. :: I did turn the compost reasonably thoroughly this w/e, so that the :: grassy goo is more homogeneously spread - perhaps rats are not :: keen on a gooey home? :: I really do not know what to do... help! It doesn't matter how gooey it is, they aren't living there - just feeding, remove the food source and they will forage elsewhere. |
Cat wrote:
:: "Stephen Howard" wrote in message :: ... ::: On Mon, 4 Oct 2004 13:54:43 +0100, "Cat" ::: wrote: ::: ::: snip :::: What do people recommend for baiting traps? Am I right in :::: assuming that bacon works as well on rats as it does on mice? ::: ::: Cold pork sausage is where it's at, apparently. ::: :: :: Cooked or raw? And do they expect relish on the side? :: Will they go pester the neighbours if I put broccoli instead? :: Just wondering :-) :: Cooked - it's more spongy and therefore more difficult to get off the spike...I find that cooked bacon rind is far better as it's like elastic. Don't expect to catch more than one or two rats before they get wise, probably only one - they learn remarkably quickly to avoid traps. |
"Nick Maclaren" wrote in message ... In article , Kay writes: | In article , Nick Maclaren | writes | | They will go once disturbed, anyway. Temporarily. | | Rats are pretty common. There's a saying that you're never more than | 60ft from a rat. Or 20ft. Or something. Yes. I think the accurate one says that 99% of the population is within XXX feet of a rat at any one time. I don't believe that people swimming 100x offshore are likely to have their toes nibbled by a passing rat, somehow. | Call the council rat catcher, or buy some rat traps. But don't over- | react or feel that you are a public health nuisance - just relax. Rats | happen. Equally well, don't treat them as just large mice and ignore them. They are a significant health hazard, though NOT enough of one to go into panic mode. Are they genuinely more of a health risk than a pet cat? Franz |
In article , "Franz Heymann" writes: | | Equally well, don't treat them as just large mice and ignore them. | They are a significant health hazard, though NOT enough of one to | go into panic mode. | | Are they genuinely more of a health risk than a pet cat? A good question. I believe so, but wouldn't be shattered to find out that converse was true. Regards, Nick Maclaren. |
"Franz Heymann" wrote in message ... Are they genuinely more of a health risk than a pet cat? Franz I'm no expert (as is painfully obvious from postings)... but I know two people who got Weil's disease - one died from it, the other was lucky to pull through and spent considerable spells in hospital before, thankfully, making a full recovery. -- Cat(h) The world swirls... |
"Martin" wrote in message ... On Mon, 4 Oct 2004 15:32:41 +0100, "Cat" wrote: "Franz Heymann" wrote in message ... Are they genuinely more of a health risk than a pet cat? Franz I'm no expert (as is painfully obvious from postings)... but I know two people who got Weil's disease - one died from it, the other was lucky to pull through and spent considerable spells in hospital before, thankfully, making a full recovery. from cats or rat urine? Rats' urine in both cases. -- Cat(h) The world swirls... |
"Cat" wrote in message ... I am not too sure local authorities in Ireland have rat exterminators ready to pounce at the citizens' request... though of course I might be wrong. I propose to put rat traps - not poisoned ones, as I wish no harm on the neighbours' cats - more the larger versions of what you get for mice. So your neighours won't mind their cats getting broken legs or noses? :0) |
"ex WGS Hamm" wrote in message ... "Cat" wrote in message ... I am not too sure local authorities in Ireland have rat exterminators ready to pounce at the citizens' request... though of course I might be wrong. I propose to put rat traps - not poisoned ones, as I wish no harm on the neighbours' cats - more the larger versions of what you get for mice. So your neighours won't mind their cats getting broken legs or noses? :0) What's better.. a cat with a broken leg, or a cat dead of poisoning? Of course, if the flipping cats were any good in the first place, I would not be in my current predicament ;-) -- Cat(h) The world swirls... |
"Martin" wrote in message ... On Mon, 4 Oct 2004 15:46:54 +0100, "Cat" wrote: I'm no expert (as is painfully obvious from postings)... but I know two people who got Weil's disease - one died from it, the other was lucky to pull through and spent considerable spells in hospital before, thankfully, making a full recovery. from cats or rat urine? Rats' urine in both cases. What you need is a couple of healthy cats, cat. Despite the name, I am not much of a cat person... Traps don't need to be litter-trained, and no one expects traps to love you for yourself, rather than for the quality of your kittekat, or the adequacy of your sofa as a scratching post... Traps look like an attractive option. All I need now is to plant a few seedlings of "Kitty Scat" (ruta graveolens) around the traps, to avoid leg and nose breakage... The only rat I have seen locally was one the cats caught. I wish the neighbours' cats did their job. If you google you will find that Weil's disease is rare, it's surprising how many people know somebody, who has caught it. I know of two too. -- Martin -- Cat(h) The world swirls... |
"Martin" wrote in message ... On Mon, 4 Oct 2004 16:43:48 +0100, "Cat" wrote: I wish the neighbours' cats did their job. maybe they are delivering the rats to your garden? :-) Alive and kicking, though... and not even a *little* dishevelled. Never were healthier rats seen in a compost heap! I still say the cats are incompetent. -- Cat(h) The world swirls... |
Phil L wrote:
Cat wrote: Gasp! I was turning my compost bin over the week end, and four rats ran out of it... I was warned not to put any cooked or meat based organic stuff in the bin, and have been careful not to. The following is what goes in: Grass clippings (possibly a little too much, as it is a bit wet and yukky at the moment) Shredded paper (newspaper and other, but not glossy paper) Kitchen waste (veg peelings, stale bread, and such) Shrub/tree clippings Weeds The only things to interest rats in this lot is the bread..they already have an ample (and free) supply of all vegetable products, so there's nothing much in that department of any interest to them...cut out the bread and watch them disappear! Is some of what I am putting in at fault? Is the fact that my compost is too wet part of the problem? I have added shredded newspaper this w/e to try and mop up the wet. Fortunately, my box is at the very end of the garden, and therefore not near the house - so no danger of rats moving in. Still, I would like to do something about it, but am a bit at a loss... I should say that the land beyond our back boundary - against which the composter backs - is wasteland which may well have its own rat population, although I am only surmising this. So not only do I need to get rid of the current inhabitants of my bin but I'd need to make sure I am not attracting any more. I did turn the compost reasonably thoroughly this w/e, so that the grassy goo is more homogeneously spread - perhaps rats are not keen on a gooey home? I really do not know what to do... help! It doesn't matter how gooey it is, they aren't living there - just feeding, remove the food source and they will forage elsewhere. I'm not at all sure about that: they're much more likely to be nocturnal feeders around human dwellings, aren't they? That, and finding a whole group in one place, suggests a nest rather than foraging. I would cut out the bread, though -- it may not make much difference, but it's not that much use as compost-fodder, anyhow. Steve mentioned how difficult it is to catch more than one rat in a trap: this is true. Sometimes you have to get over their suspicion of anything new by leaving the trap about for a few days, then, if it kills one, they get wise. I'm sorry to say that poison is probably the only answer, unless you can borrow a couple of good terriers -- oops, that's h**ting! I bet the official rat man will use poison if you call him in. Mike. |
"Martin" wrote in message ... On 4 Oct 2004 14:31:37 GMT, (Nick Maclaren) wrote: In article , "Franz Heymann" writes: | | Equally well, don't treat them as just large mice and ignore them. | They are a significant health hazard, though NOT enough of one to | go into panic mode. | | Are they genuinely more of a health risk than a pet cat? A good question. I believe so, but wouldn't be shattered to find out that converse was true. We've had two cats for 12 years. We are healthy perhaps rats aren't a health risk either. Agreed. Children are a bigger health hazard. Yes. Franz |
Cat wrote:
:: "ex WGS Hamm" wrote in message :: ... ::: ::: "Cat" wrote in message ::: ... :::: :::: I am not too sure local authorities in Ireland have rat :::: exterminators ready to pounce at the citizens' request... though :::: of course I might be wrong. I propose to put rat traps - not :::: poisoned ones, as I wish no harm on the neighbours' cats - more :::: the larger versions of what you get for mice. ::: ::: So your neighours won't mind their cats getting broken legs or ::: noses? 0) ::: ::: :: :: What's better.. a cat with a broken leg, or a cat dead of :: poisoning? Of course, if the flipping cats were any good in the :: first place, I would not be in my current predicament ;-) I think you would be better off using poison to begin with, you won't deter them with traps. You can get some blue pelleted stuff from B&Q which isn't very good, but it's all they sell...you could do with some of the older stuff, although I'm not sure if it's available to the public anymore (sigh), which is blue wheat - obviously the wheat is the bait and the blue stufff is the toxin...you may be able to get some from a farmer if you ask around. don't do as I did and re bait every night as it takes 3-4 days to start working and those you 'fed' on night one are just using up good bait...bait up at 4 day intervals until the bait stays in place for a few days, then you're clear. To prevent accidentally killing cats etc, place the bait in a piece of plastic drainpipe, this serves two purposes: 1)It stays dry and away from other animals like cats and dogs, 2) it gives the rat seclusion - rats won't eat from a 'dodgy' source - if they see another rat die after eating from a particular baited spot, they will not eat there themselves ('Rentakil' have properly designed chambers made especially for this reason - there's an inlet and outlet at each side, with a small box in the centre for the bait) All this is probably not required anyway, if you cut out the bread you probably won't ever see them again. |
"Phil L" wrote in message . .. Cat wrote: :: "ex WGS Hamm" wrote in message :: ... ::: ::: "Cat" wrote in message ::: ... :::: :::: I am not too sure local authorities in Ireland have rat :::: exterminators ready to pounce at the citizens' request... though :::: of course I might be wrong. I propose to put rat traps - not :::: poisoned ones, as I wish no harm on the neighbours' cats - more :::: the larger versions of what you get for mice. ::: ::: So your neighours won't mind their cats getting broken legs or ::: noses? 0) ::: ::: :: :: What's better.. a cat with a broken leg, or a cat dead of :: poisoning? Of course, if the flipping cats were any good in the :: first place, I would not be in my current predicament ;-) I think you would be better off using poison to begin with, you won't deter them with traps. You can get some blue pelleted stuff from B&Q which isn't very good, but it's all they sell...you could do with some of the older stuff, although I'm not sure if it's available to the public anymore (sigh), which is blue wheat - obviously the wheat is the bait and the blue stufff is the toxin... I doubt it. The blue is probably only a dye to make the stuff recognisable, but I may be mistaken. you may be able to get some from a farmer if you ask around. don't do as I did and re bait every night as it takes 3-4 days to start working and those you 'fed' on night one are just using up good bait...bait up at 4 day intervals until the bait stays in place for a few days, then you're clear. To prevent accidentally killing cats etc, place the bait in a piece of plastic drainpipe, this serves two purposes: 1)It stays dry and away from other animals like cats and dogs, 2) it gives the rat seclusion - rats won't eat from a 'dodgy' source - if they see another rat die after eating from a particular baited spot, they will not eat there themselves ('Rentakil' have properly designed chambers made especially for this reason - there's an inlet and outlet at each side, with a small box in the centre for the bait) All this is probably not required anyway, if you cut out the bread you probably won't ever see them again. |
"Phil L" wrote in message . .. Cat wrote: :: "ex WGS Hamm" wrote in message :: ... ::: ::: "Cat" wrote in message ::: ... :::: :::: I am not too sure local authorities in Ireland have rat :::: exterminators ready to pounce at the citizens' request... though :::: of course I might be wrong. I propose to put rat traps - not :::: poisoned ones, as I wish no harm on the neighbours' cats - more :::: the larger versions of what you get for mice. ::: ::: So your neighours won't mind their cats getting broken legs or ::: noses? 0) ::: ::: :: :: What's better.. a cat with a broken leg, or a cat dead of :: poisoning? Of course, if the flipping cats were any good in the :: first place, I would not be in my current predicament ;-) I think you would be better off using poison to begin with, you won't deter them with traps. You can get some blue pelleted stuff from B&Q which isn't very good, but it's all they sell...you could do with some of the older stuff, although I'm not sure if it's available to the public anymore (sigh), which is blue wheat - obviously the wheat is the bait and the blue stufff is the toxin...you may be able to get some from a farmer if you ask around. don't do as I did and re bait every night as it takes 3-4 days to start working and those you 'fed' on night one are just using up good bait...bait up at 4 day intervals until the bait stays in place for a few days, then you're clear. To prevent accidentally killing cats etc, place the bait in a piece of plastic drainpipe, this serves two purposes: 1)It stays dry and away from other animals like cats and dogs, 2) it gives the rat seclusion - rats won't eat from a 'dodgy' source - if they see another rat die after eating from a particular baited spot, they will not eat there themselves ('Rentakil' have properly designed chambers made especially for this reason - there's an inlet and outlet at each side, with a small box in the centre for the bait) All this is probably not required anyway, if you cut out the bread you probably won't ever see them again. You can buy bait boxes from a number of sources including online and the poison blocks to go with them. Cats do not normally eat dead or sick animals. I have 12 cats and use poison for rats. I won't use the grain type as it is food for other animals and I'm afraid in case wild birds eat it. |
Cat writes
What do people recommend for baiting traps? Am I right in assuming that bacon works as well on rats as it does on mice? Cold pork sausage is where it's at, apparently. Cooked or raw? And do they expect relish on the side? Will they go pester the neighbours if I put broccoli instead? Just wondering :-) Forget cheese. Cats like cheese. Mice prefer chocolate. -- David |
"Mike Lyle" wrote in message ... OK, I get the message. Thank you and all the others for the advice. I note: Cut out the bread and such (consider that done) Use poisoned bait in a special box (i'll see what I can find from local farmers' co-op shop) Stay vigilant, as more might come Don't panic All sounds like sound advice :-) Thanks again to all -- Cat(h) The world swirls... |
"Nick Maclaren" wrote in message ... On Wed, 6 Oct 2004 10:57:37 +0100, "Cat" wrote: "Mike Lyle" wrote in message ... OK, I get the message. Thank you and all the others for the advice. I note: Cut out the bread and such (consider that done) If you have a large number of rats you must cut out ALL foodstuffs from the compost. One rat doesn't make a plague. Use poisoned bait in a special box (i'll see what I can find from local farmers' co-op shop) NO DON'T use poison anything, completely unnecessary and a danger to all wildlife. Stay vigilant, as more might come Don't panic Rats are everywhere. It's the human ones you want to be concerned with, especially the prats giving dodgy advice here to kill, kill, kill all wildlife in the garden. I have no particular desire to endanger wildlife or neighbours' pets, nor even to kill the rats if I can get them out of my compost heap by other means. If disturbing them suffices, if turning the heap more frequently than I have so far, excluding any foodstuff, etc. does the trick, I'm all for it. But I don't relish harbouring rats on my premises, and if it is the only way, I would even consider forgetting about the compost heap altogether. -- Cat(h) The world swirls... |
In article ,
Cat wrote: Pete the Troll masquerading as: "Nick Maclaren" wrote in message .. . If you have a large number of rats you must cut out ALL foodstuffs from the compost. One rat doesn't make a plague. NO DON'T use poison anything, completely unnecessary and a danger to all wildlife. Rats are everywhere. It's the human ones you want to be concerned with, especially the prats giving dodgy advice here to kill, kill, kill all wildlife in the garden. I have no particular desire to endanger wildlife or neighbours' pets, nor even to kill the rats if I can get them out of my compost heap by other means. If disturbing them suffices, if turning the heap more frequently than I have so far, excluding any foodstuff, etc. does the trick, I'm all for it. But I don't relish harbouring rats on my premises, and if it is the only way, I would even consider forgetting about the compost heap altogether. That was Pete the Troll, not me. Ignoring him is essential, even when he posts apparently sane advice. You WILL have rats passing through your garden. Live with it. You can avoid harbouring rats by either disturbing them (e.g. by turning the heap whenever they appear) or by poisoning them. But, if there is anywhere to shelter, or any food (INCLUDING worms), rats will be there and may take up residence. Abandoning a compost heap won't prevent rats. You can discourage them, but no more. |
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