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Post by bittymatriarch on Oct 31, 2009 21:11:26 GMT
A week ago noticed that 'something' had been digging at the base of the compost bin as there was a heap of compost outside of the bin - and it's not our Jack Russell as she's always with me or OH.
Today it's happened again and I can just see where 'it's' getting in - right round the back against the wall.
The bin is on uneven ground with plenty of ventilation at ground level. Had to anchor it when first set up with tent pegs otherwise it ended up in next door's garden whenever we had strong winds.
Any ideas as to what it could be as I'm getting wary of lifting the lid to throw in the veg peelings in case 'something' jumps out at me! __________________
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Post by Slowan on Nov 1, 2009 0:26:14 GMT
Could it be rats? It seems the most likely. There was a lot of moaning here when the council spent vast amounts supplying everyone with a compost bin - even those in flats with no garden or space even for a bin - as people were worried about them encouraging rats.
Your JR should let you know if it is!!
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Post by Jim Possible on Nov 1, 2009 1:46:04 GMT
I would have thought rats to be an unlikely culprit as they primarily eat meat.
What sort of stuff are you putting in the compost bin?
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Post by bittymatriarch on Nov 1, 2009 8:21:17 GMT
Veg peelings, grass cuttings, junk mail shreddings, contents from the Vax, autumn leaves, doggy do's, used tea bags, chopped up summer bedding plants, etc.
NO cooked food or bones go in - we have a seperate waste collection for that every week.
The bin is in an enclosed gravelled backyard, so don't think it's a hedgehog.
My first thought was a rat, or maybe a squirrel hiding his acorns!
Whatever it is, it's dug out almost 2 buckets of compost!
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Post by clarevoyant on Nov 1, 2009 11:04:01 GMT
We have put our compost bins at the allotment on paving slabs, all thirty of us, because the rats were nesting in the nice warm and dry compost bins.
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Post by bittymatriarch on Nov 1, 2009 15:02:45 GMT
Just taken lid off as it's raining again and tipped in 3 buckets of water ;D Can see the bin's going to have to be emptied, but not sure how as it's in a very confined space
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Post by troykerr on Nov 1, 2009 17:16:38 GMT
This may be the answer as to why? From a local Govt advice leaflet.
3. What rats eat Brown rats are omnivorous (meaning they will eat almost anything – including dog mess/faeces, their own droppings and even each other) and can consume about 30g of food per day, which is about 1/10th of their average body weight.
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Post by bittymatriarch on Nov 1, 2009 19:28:24 GMT
Just been speaking to my father (retired farmer) and his first words were "It's a rat" He's suggested we stick the hosepipe in at the bottom of the bin on full blast!
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Post by troykerr on Nov 1, 2009 20:29:05 GMT
Yes but connect the hosepipe to a motor mower not water.
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Post by Glen B Ogle on Nov 2, 2009 20:02:14 GMT
One thing, do you put eggshells in? I gather they're a common attractant for rats in compost bins.
My brother has problems with rats around his, but since stopping putting the eggshells in he's not actually seen any traces of them.
Glen
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Post by bittymatriarch on Nov 2, 2009 21:19:18 GMT
I've just found that out as well, Glen.
So once we're sorted out, no egg shells are going in.
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Post by bittymatriarch on Nov 4, 2009 13:18:53 GMT
Managed to speak to my neighbour today about the bin - and he's lived next door with his wife all their married life (about 48 years) and he's never seen a rat around the place. They have a HUGE garden and lots of outbuildings with a HUGE compost heap away at the bottom of the orchard. He reckons it's a squirrel from the way it's dug out the compost from the bottom of the bin. And there are large numbers of grey squirrels around at the moment. I've managed to get half the bin emptied out into various receptacles with nothing jumping out at me; but most importantly, Badge took no interest at all! OH can do the rest at the weekend as it's chucking down with rain again
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Post by Tigger on Nov 4, 2009 21:03:21 GMT
You know it could be a hedgehog?
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Post by bittymatriarch on Nov 15, 2009 12:07:15 GMT
The saga of our compost bin is now over ;D OH finished emptying it this morning and we didn't find anything - not even an acorn! So the bin is now on concrete slabs and filled again - and surrounded by mud, thanks to OH
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Post by bittymatriarch on Dec 8, 2009 14:12:38 GMT
The saga of our compost bin is now over ;D Spoke tooo soon! After we'd emptied the bin and re-set it on concrete slabs, the 'visitor' came back and moved in under the slabs, and also managed to still get into the bin through a minute overhang. Badge (our Jack Russell) flushed it out this lunchtime after much digging............ .......... I saw it's face - it was rat It got away across next door's garden (Eric saw it) and into the next field. So the bin is now surrounded by rocks and bricks and big stones to try and stop the blighter digging in again. Needless to say, Badge is covered in mud, as am I, and she needs a bath!
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