Creature Feature: How to Create a Rat Unfriendly Pile

I lay exposed and vulnerable, tossed carelessly on the top of the pile. Paralyzed and helpless, I can only wait for what I know is coming. They are drawn by my smell. First, I hear the tell-tale scurrying sounds of scratchy claws in the distance. As they approach, I start to hear their chorus of muted squeaks. I imagine their long slinky tails and beady eyes making their way closer to me. Soon they will be near enough to see me in the darkness, then a whisker-laden snout will sniff down my form until it finds just the right place to sink in long, jagged rodent teeth…

Ah, rats. Our opportunistic neighbors who will take advantage and snack at your compost pile if given a chance. Luckily, this Halloween, I consulted my little furry rodent friends and asked them to tell me their biggest turn-off’s when scoping out dining locations. Before I share these tips, let’s get a few things straight:

Credit: Nathan W Pile
While we don't want them in our compost pile, rats are not evil. I think they are pretty cute.
They have an equivalent intelligence to dogs.
If you live in an urban environment, rats likely are part of the urban wildlife, even if you don’t see them. As long as you maintain your compost bin correctly, you are not the “cause” of a rat problem.

Let’s get back to how to keep rats out of our compost bins so your neighbor (or spouse, or landlord) doesn’t have reason to blame a rat problem on your compost. Here are the top three tips on rat-proofing your compost:

Elevate. Keeping a compost bin up off the ground will make tunneling up under the bin into the pile more difficult, if not impossible. You can do this by placing a compost bin on a pallet. Additionally, use wire mesh as a barrier under the compost bin to keep tunneling rodents out.

Bury. Food should never be visible when you are composting. Make sure you completely cover added food scraps with leaves and/or wood chips and use a locking lid when possible.

Isolate. Do not place your compost bin up against a wall, wood pile, or other structure that would make a nice nesting space. In fact, the more exposed all sides of your compost bin are, the less likely our little rat buddies will want to visit.

Rats can fit through less than a square inch space, so the University of Nebraska recommends using wire mesh that is at least ½ inch by ½ inch and 24 gauge or heavier.

If you love both Halloween and composting as much as me, check out our past Halloween posts. This year is lucky 13! Happy Halloween, compost friends!

Addams Family Composting

Did the Boogeyman Snatch Your Compost Blogger

Fall Composting Tips from a Mummy

The Headless Horseman’s Guide to Backyard Composting

Compost Lessons from the Swamp Monster

Three Reasons Werewolves Make Terrible Composters

Compost Ghost

Was Frankenstein an Outstanding Composter?

How to Practice Compost Witchcraft

Compost Like a Vampire

Three Warning Signs Your Compost is a Zombie