I want to start a compost pile?

Question

I want to start a compost pile and use the product to grow a veggie garden, but my dad said we used to have one but got rats. Any ideas for preventing this from happening again?

Answer 1

You should only put vegetable matter or manure into a compost pile (any garden waste, lawn clippings, natural yard waste). Avoid dry leaves; they just break down way too slowly and will not create any heat in the pile.

Never, ever put any meat products in a compost pile.

Scavenger animals, such as skunks are sometimes attracted to even a proper compost pile. The only real solution is to put a finer wire mesh around the bottom to keep them out. If they insist on digging to get in, you may have to stake down some wire mesh around the compost pile.

Normally, rats are not attracted to a compost pile, and it you turn it regularly like you should, you'll help discourage rodents.

Answer 2

You can compost almost anything, although I discourage using animal products. More because of the smell, and the danger of encouraging E-coli growth.
Just layer your pile. It can be anywhere, doesn't need a bin. For faster composting, get some perforated pipe(used for drainage) and lay it into the layers. The added oxygen helps with the breakdown.

Grass clippings are a good source of nitrogen, and will accellerate the process.

If you are really abitious, get some 2 in. by 4 in. 4 ft fencing. Make 3 to 4 3 -ft round cylinders. Put the materials in the first one, and 3 days later, pull the cylinder up.Shovel the pile into the 2nd one, and start filling the first with fresh material. A manure fork , with many tines works best, here.

Using this process, I have been able to compost leaves, grass, and other organic materials into friable compost in 2 weeks. The keys are to get enough oxygen into the pile, enough accellerants, such as grass clippings, and to turn the piles every 3 days.

Answer 3

if you got rats, it wasn't because of just the compost pile, rats invade if they are anywhere in the neighborhood...back in the late 60's and well into the mid to late 70's i was a hippy and lived in hippy communes in California and some other states, they all had compost piles and organic gardens (and some chick running around with little or no clothes on, who was named sun, or sky, or star).
and though i was true to the hippy creed of being stoned most of the time, i wasn't blind, and there were no rats (except for a few of the two legged variety occasionally) on any of the compounds of any of the communes that i lived in.
they are a bit of work, but handy, good for grass clippings and raked up leaves...no more bagging and putting by the curb.
this may sound bizaar, but a bit of urin tossed on the heap occasionally makes it work better. (something with the acid in it)

Answer 4

Keep the pile strictly vegetarian. Any kitchen garbage used only be fresh vegetables. Nothing processed or sauced or sweetened or cooked with meat, etc.
Keep turning the pile. Keep it moist. Good mix of brown (dead leaves, small twigs, dead weeds) and green (fresh grass clippings, prunings, veg. scraps).
If you attract rats, there's probably a more basic rat issue some where. Dog food outside. Unsecure trash cans. ....

Answer 5

Go to Home Depot or to your local nursery. There are so many bins on the market now I'm sure there is one that'll keep rats away. You can't put everything you might think you can either. Get more info from a professional. Don't be discouraged, it can be done.

Answer 6

They have compost cantainers that you can buy with lids that will keep pest out. They have wood ones and plastic ones.

Answer 7

have cats

rats are really a way of composting too

squirrels with hairless tails I figure

I have a small one going now on my porch, gonna grow basil in the Spring, or maybe in Feb with enough global warming

Answer 8

Do I start with dirt?