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Rats in the Compost Bins
Posted by helen
Rats in the Compost Bins May 24, 2016 11:36PM |
Admin Registered: 18 years ago Posts: 7,920 |
I have black cylinder/dome shaped plastic compost bins with lids on the top.
For years they have worked well but since last winter I seem to be feeding a community of rats.
Last winter they found their way inside and gnawed through our dishwasher wiring.
I need to get rid of them but don't know the best method.
I did put out some bait and killed at least one but now they are ignoring the bait and heading straight into the bin to find vegetable scraps.
I can obviously stop putting the scraps in the bin for a while but worried that I will then encourage them to head indoors in search of food. They dig into the bins from the base.
I will try fresh bait today in case the old one has lost its potency but has anyone else got suggestions?
Are traps better than bait?
I don't like killing animals but I can't live with rats.
For years they have worked well but since last winter I seem to be feeding a community of rats.
Last winter they found their way inside and gnawed through our dishwasher wiring.
I need to get rid of them but don't know the best method.
I did put out some bait and killed at least one but now they are ignoring the bait and heading straight into the bin to find vegetable scraps.
I can obviously stop putting the scraps in the bin for a while but worried that I will then encourage them to head indoors in search of food. They dig into the bins from the base.
I will try fresh bait today in case the old one has lost its potency but has anyone else got suggestions?
Are traps better than bait?
I don't like killing animals but I can't live with rats.
Re: Rats in the Compost Bins May 25, 2016 03:05AM |
Registered: 16 years ago Posts: 1,979 |
My suggestion would be to call a pest control specialist. They have access to different products that may be more effective. We've had a mouse problem in a detached garage recently - caught 15 mice in 3 traps over just one weekend. Mice I can deal with the slower approach, rats I'd be pulling out the big guns!
Re: Rats in the Compost Bins May 25, 2016 03:53AM |
Admin Registered: 18 years ago Posts: 7,920 |
Re: Rats in the Compost Bins May 26, 2016 05:35AM |
Admin Registered: 18 years ago Posts: 7,920 |
Re: Rats in the Compost Bins May 26, 2016 06:06AM |
Registered: 16 years ago Posts: 1,979 |
Re: Rats in the Compost Bins July 07, 2016 02:51AM |
Registered: 11 years ago Posts: 799 |
Re: Rats in the Compost Bins July 11, 2016 12:49AM |
Registered: 17 years ago Posts: 303 |
I was always told with rats you need to tie the bait down so they dont run off with it. They will probably just take it away and store it. Bait should be put in an old pipe or similiar so cats and dogs dont get it. Get a piece of wire and tie the bait around it (we buy the green bait) then tie the other end to a brick. You soon know the rats have been chewing on the bait. When bait all gone replace it.
We have had rats at our beach house and do this all the time. Works sucessfully.
We have had rats at our beach house and do this all the time. Works sucessfully.
Re: Rats in the Compost Bins July 12, 2016 12:55PM |
Registered: 17 years ago Posts: 2,155 |
Re: Rats in the Compost Bins July 16, 2016 12:11AM |
Admin Registered: 18 years ago Posts: 7,920 |
Re: Rats in the Compost Bins July 31, 2016 08:25AM |
Registered: 11 years ago Posts: 799 |
Re: Rats in the Compost Bins July 31, 2016 01:32PM |
Registered: 13 years ago Posts: 2,228 |
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