My composter arrived today - any tips for a first timer please?

[chocolateshoes]

Any tips about where to put it, what not to put in it (am a bit worried about attracting rats) and so on....thanks!

Will be watching this thread with interest. Had our composter delivered about a year ago but never used it due to the discovery of rats in a neighbours garden - under the decking - and had heard that they could take up residence in compost bins.

here is a decent quick guide to how to compost.

Avoid the eggshells though if you want to help keep rats away - if they want to get to your bin they will, simple as that. IME mice are more common in compost bins than rats. Rats won't like it too much if you are going to the bin everyday, rattling about and opening the lid to put stuff inside - they prefer to be left alone if possible (under decking IME - esp if you have a bird feeder near the decking )

Thanks Coby especially the tip about the egg shells.

Getting your chap to wee in it every day will a) put rats off, and b) keep the compost nicely composting.

Getting your chap to wee in it every day will a) put rats off, and b) keep the compost nicely composting.

Only put vegetable matter & paper in it - no meat - meat will attract rats.

Shred newspaper to help it decompose quicker. Keep an eye out for snakes in the summer - they have been known to lay eggs in the compost heap as it's nice and warm. And don't put it right next to a wooden fence - it can set fire to them. Make sure it has 'breathing' space.

Have just realised this sound like scaremongering but I love composting. Enjoy!

Give your eggshells a quick rinse under the tap first and crush really small and rats won't be interested.

more advice - brilliant! Are you kidding triathlete? DP will happily do it!

Thanks everyone

Yes, triathlete is right. It really helps.

Thanks everyone. DP has put chken mesh underneath and up the sides a bit, and we have put our first lots of veg peelings etc in. And of course, he's done the wee!