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Make It Easy:  Compost Bin and Rats  |
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Hanalu
True Blue Farmgirl
123 Posts
Hana
Redwood City
California
USA
123 Posts |
 Posted - Oct 03 2008 : 09:31:15 AM
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| Has anyone ever made a compost bin on a balcony? I want to make one but I'm not sure if I will be wasting my time! Also, do compost bins attract rats? I already have rats on my balcony due to an apple tree below....I don't want any more coming near me or my plants!(That is another good question....how does a city girl that will not touch rodents get rid of them?...currently I throw out those poison squares.) |
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DaisyFarm
True Blue Farmgirl
1646 Posts
Diane
Victoria
BC
Canada
1646 Posts |
Posted - Oct 03 2008 : 10:10:39 AM
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Rats...oh boy! They are a curse around here too! Every single bit of feed is in metal cans, but this year I had a problem with them in the greenhouses eating my tomatoes!! They make me crazy! And yes, compost certainly does attract them, but on a balcony you could probably make something rat-proof.
I did use poison blocks at one time until someone told me that they actually cause a painful death. As much as I hate rats, I can't deliberately cause something to suffer. Another thing with poison blocks, is anything that finds and eats a dead rat will become poisoned as well...cats, birds of prey, snakes, etc.
So snap traps is what we use now...and lots of them. Death is instant. I just put on my rattin' gloves, steel my stomach, hold my breath and bury them. I HATE, HATE, HATE the job, but you gotta do what you gotta do. :)
Something I read is that rats are very allergic to pure peppermint oil (the real stuff). I did find some and sprayed it around the perimeter of the barn. Smelled great!! It was relatively rat free this summer...I should have bought more and tried the greenhouse. Next year...
Di on VI
Farmgirl Sister #73 |
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Amie C.
True Blue Farmgirl
2099 Posts
Finger Lakes Region
NY
2099 Posts |
Posted - Oct 03 2008 : 12:01:29 PM
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| I live in a city neighborhood, and I've seen rats around the yard occasionally. I keep my compost in an aluminum trash can with a lid. I drilled small holes in it for ventilation. I haven't seen any rats near my compost at all. When I do see them, they are going after my neighbors bird seed that spills out of the feeder. |
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Hanalu
True Blue Farmgirl
123 Posts
Hana
Redwood City
California
USA
123 Posts |
Posted - Oct 03 2008 : 10:12:07 PM
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| Thanks Ladies! I will try the aluminum trash can for the compost bin! And the peppermint oil is an interesting idea(I use it to make mint chip ice cream at work...it is soooo strong)...maybe I can pour it all over the deck! As for the traps...my BF did that for me a few months back until he started to feel guilty about killing them! oh jeez! I don't feel guilty but there is no way I would be able to pick the thing up! For some reason critters scare me...even cats!...I know I'm pathetic! |
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JessieMae
True Blue Farmgirl
702 Posts
Jessie
Raleigh
North Carolina
USA
702 Posts |
Posted - Mar 26 2009 : 07:57:12 AM
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Hana, you're not pathetic at all! I am deathly - and I mean DEATHLY - afraid of bats. Two summers ago two got into our house on consectuive nights. I actually started locking my bedroom door (as if bats know how to turn a doorknob anyway). My sister is afraid of horses. Grandaddy was afraid of snakes. We've all got our "things."
Jessie Mae
Farmgirl Sisterhood #134 |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
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StasiaSpins
True Blue Farmgirl
78 Posts
Stasia
Augusta (Eau Claire)
WI
USA
78 Posts |
Posted - Mar 26 2009 : 2:22:58 PM
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Peppermint oil does work to repel rodents, especially for mice in cupboards. Those poison blocks are dangerous to anything that might eat the rat (raptors - hawks and owls - dogs, cats) and any other animals that might come across the blocks themselves if the rats dislodge/drag them (particularly dogs). Just BAD news - and it IS a slow, lingering, painful death. Poor little rats can't help it that they are rats. 
There are small compost bins for sale (look for those made of recycled materials - check Gardener's Supply). They are advertised as rodent-proof. http://www.gardeners.com/
You could also use red worms in a bin under your sink. If done correctly it is odorless.
Another way to repel the rats would by anything with movement: aluminum foil "flags" on a string, or even a metal cat head silhouette with marble eyes that blows in the wind. I use those to keep sparrows out of my chicken coop. The marbles reflect any light and make it look like the "cat" is watching the bird/rat.
If you do need to use traps, there are these heavy duty black plastic ones that a) work extremely well and quickly and b) cover the head of the dispatched rodent so it's not too horrible to look at. They go inside a larger, locking black plastic container, for the safety of birds, cats, dogs, etc. Peanut butter is a good bait to ensure optimum positioning for effectiveness (how is that for a non-gruesome choice of words?) 
http://www.TuppinzFarm.com Heritage Sheep ~ Goats ~ Donkeys ~ Poultry
http://YarnAndABarn.blogspot.com Spinning ~ Knitting ~ Weaving ~ Quilting ~ Crocheting |
Edited by - StasiaSpins on Mar 26 2009 2:28:01 PM |
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jinia
True Blue Farmgirl
152 Posts
jinia
mo
USA
152 Posts |
Posted - Mar 26 2009 : 6:25:41 PM
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| I know that we are not all fans of buying new stuff...but today I was at Sams and they had a $40 compost bin. Closing and locking lid to keep out vermin. I really wanted it. It would be the perfect size for a balcony! |
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farmmom22
True Blue Farmgirl
616 Posts
Tammy
Scottsville
KY
USA
616 Posts |
Posted - Mar 26 2009 : 6:39:46 PM
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Jessie! You made me laugh so hard! I can totally imagine you locking your door at night so the bat couldn't get in!!teheehee!!
http://afarmgirljourney.blogspot.com/
Farmgirl Sister #492
Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending. -Carl Bard |
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Make It Easy: Compost Bin and Rats |
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Compost Bin and Rats
