Rats in my compost heap... kill them or let them be.

[honeybunmum]

I have always had mice on the heap which in a 'fluffy bunny' kind of way, I thought was quite cute (especially as they just look up and carry on munching) but I have noticed tunnels almost the dimension of a tennis ball appearing through it and lots of rotted compost spilling out in big heaps at the sides. I'm guessing rats as I have seen one or two in the garden.
So... should I get rid of them? are they a risk to my family? (the heap is tucked away and no-one goes near it other than me)
Part of me thinks they are gods creatures too and part of the food chain so should I just leave them?
Any advice?

[LauraIngallsWilder]

I had this problem at my last house/garden
At one point we had rats visiting the kitchen, lounge and loft. Plus the compost heap!

Our heap never got bigger because the rats ate so much of the contents!!!!

I solved the problem by never daring to use the compostbins contents and by moving house - coward that I am!!!

[dreamingofsun]

guess it depends how averse to rats you are and how far they are from the house. we had similar problem - they like the warmth. council got rid of ours - but they said that they secrete a smell and once you have had rats they often return (which they have). i think they are dirty nasty things and they won't just stay in heap - ie spread disease around garden - but i'm no expert

[Bramshott]

We have at least one in our compost heap and are now resigned to living with it (him?). The heap is a way from the house, and as he gets the choicest kitchen peelings delivered to him every day, I don't think he has any incentive to go anywhere else! He also tunnels around and churns the heap up nicely!

[Bobbiewickham]

KILL THEM!!!

[OrmRenewed]

I thnik you could look on them as a bigger version of the worms that make the compost. Unless he starts coming into the house I think he's harmless.

[Pannacotta]

I'd leave them.
As Orm says look at them as large and efficient worms...

[SarfEasticated]

I'm with Bobbiewickham on this one, but live in London. Not sure what the country rules are though. Maybe speak to the local council and see what they say...

[LynetteScavo]

Kill them...or they will breed and you will be sorry.

[dreamingofsun]

agree with breeding comment. cats don't work - mine was an great mouser - ex farmyard cat and she used our compost heap as her look-out post - we still had rats in it.

[cakeywakey]

Kill the bastards. I fecking hate rats, they're too clever for their own good - and those horrid tails

[aJumpedUpPantryBoy]

We have 6 fat lazy cats and we still had rats in our compost heap.

We DH has to turn it over daily to deter them. We got a compost stirer stick thing, but I think he mstly uses a fork.

[honeybunmum]

Thanks everyone,
I think I will poison them, I'm not a fan of cats (nor is my greyhound) so that's not really an option. DH's helpful suggestion was " you need to stop putting the food waste on it." (fruit, veg, teabags, coffee grounds etc)
Thanks DH... I think everyone who composts will go and do that...

[Pannacotta]

Will you get someone in to do it?

I ask as I know someone whose lovely kitten was killed when she ate rat posion and apparently the poor thing was in total agony before she died and the vet was unable to save her.
I know other people whose cats have died after eating rat poison.

Also if you put poison down do be aware it (or dead rats) might contaminate your compost heap...

We have a plastic compost bin and put no fruit on it, just broken eggshells, veg peelings and garden waste. Have never had rats or mice.

Another option is to get something like this which is better designed to take food waste

[http://www.greencone.com/greencone.asp]]

[OrmRenewed]

Doesn't you dog go for them then? Dad has a jr who is shit-hot when it comes to small furry beasts. Have to lock my pet rats away when he comes to visit.

[honeybunmum]

It's in the genetics for JRs though, my retired racing greyhound is a lazy pathetic dog who would like to spend his retirement snoring on my sofa! He's frightened of cats, not sure what he'd make of a rat.

[meltedmarsbars]

Kill the rats. Get poison but be sure to put it where your dog cannot get it.

I wouldn't worry about dead rats contaminating the compost heap - you are not going to eat the compost, are you?

A cat will only tackle a very small rat. A Jack Russel is bred for ratting and rabbiting!

[ChristieF]

We have a JR. Beautiful small black and white female. And we have mice in the garden. Many mice. She thinks she's a super rodent killer but she's not. She has attacked four but doesn't kill them. Just snaps necks and makes them twitch. Then throws them into the air to catch them. My teenage son has to hit them over the head with a spade while the rest of us scream. I think the only solution is to move house. Away from woods, heathland and open fields. Also stopped feeding the birds and have brought guinea pigs inside so no food for mice. Still have this horrible feeling they are cavity walls and attic.

[coldtits]

could be hedgehogs

[meltedmarsbars]

Aren't hedgehogs still hibernating?

[madamim]

find someonw who uses ferrets, for rabbitting, much better to get rid of the rats without using any chemicals because you wont put other animals at risk and you also wont contaminate your compost heap.