Has anyone had problems with rats or other animals getting into the composter from the bottom?
1082473
I have been making compost for 25 years and have never had a problem with mice or rats. A (one or more) mole once made a tunnel under the compost (which was good, because I felt like it 'aerated' the bottom a bit!) Do not put meat or dairy products in your compost and add plenty of 'brown' materials.
1082474
No - if your composting vegetation (no meet) there doesn't seem to be much animal attraction. Occasionally mice get in, but if you stir your compost regularly, that would take care of that (I'm not a regular mixer of compost). I also put flat patio blocks around my composter that seems to prevent digging. But, if you do that, make sure that you're not blocking air flow. It's best to put them flush with the ground. And I don't recommend putting an impervious bottom below the composter. I like the worms and insects to get in and help the decay.
1082475
No rats or other animals that we know of but we did have some bees that tried to start a hive. We caught it in time and shooed them away.
1082476
This is my second composter of the same style. First one lasted about 15 years. Liked it so much I bought another to replace it. I've had it both on the ground and on my driveway. On the ground I had a problem once with a bee inside that flew out and stung me (but not a hive). Never saw signs of any animals, not even raccoons though they occasionally get into our garbage cans. We also have squirrels, chipmunks, have sighted opossums, groundhogs and skunks in our yard but never in the composter. Most composting directions say to avoid adding meat products so that vermin are not attracted.
1082477
usually once you get it composting there is nothing for them to eat in the bottom because it is thick black dirt. I have had voles in it before but they are harmless and I think they live in it rather than eat it.
1082478
No problems. I like the open bottom, because it provides a route for worms and insects to enter. This speeds the composting of the vegetation in the bin.
1082479
We buried ours into the soil a little bit. We have never had a problem with rodents. Smart raccoons have gotten the top off even with the locks! At least we think they're raccoons haven't actually seen them.
1082480
No--I do not have rats in my area, but I do have raccoons, opossums, skunks, chipmunks and squirrels, as well as the occasional coyote, and nothing has been in the composter over the 5 months that I've had it outside. I do put fruit and vegetable scraps out there, so I think if the critters could get in there, they would.
1082481
The bottom of the composter is open, so there is nothing to stop animals entering it from below. Up to now I did not have that problem, because there is nothing of interest for rats in the compost.
1082482
We buried ours into the soil a little bit. We have never had a problem with rodents. Smart raccoons have gotten the top offeven with the locks! At least we think they're raccoons haven't actually seen them.
650776
I'm not all that impressed with the Raticator. That said, only a kitten might get in. I've heard of squirrels getting zapped. Good luck!
2201500
I have one of these, it is made of mesh, so it is not a rollable product. and yes, it has an open bottom which is wonderful to allow worms to migrate in and help with the composting process. I haven't had any animals get into it that I know of, but it is sitting away from the house and I don't monitor it that closely. I am ordering another one or two to use closer to the house, and I'll see then if the squirrels take a liking to it. I really like it because it is small enough to be manageable, big enough to hold a decent quantity, has great air flow and a lid. And I can move it to the most convenient spot easily.
976190
Not that I know of. We have raccoons and squirrels in the area and I haven't seen any evidence of them getting in there.
796073
I haven't had any problems with any kind of animals or rodents in my 2 bins and I don't do anything extra to reinforce them. When I mix mine up, I use the special mixer you can get to stir you bin...works fine! Composting made easy :)
2101500
Hi... there are a couple of answers to your question. First, this model needs a pretty good sized rat to trip the mechanism. I had better luck with : Havahart X-Small Professional Style One-Door Animal Trap for Chipmunk, Squirrel, Rat, and Weasel - 0745... I caught several of varying sizes with this one. I also accidentily captured one of my favorite squirrels..he wasn't happy. I would keep the rat traps where the squirrels don't go if possible...AND make sure the squirrels have their own feeders so they are not tempted to go where the trap is. Interestingly, now that I've relocated around 9 rats, we haven't seen or heard them in close to a month...and there is never rat poop in the squirrel feeder anymore... it used to be there everyday. Hope that helps.
1823342
I live in an area with a lot of wildlife - squirrels, chipmunks, snakes, stray dogs, foxes, even bears, and I've never had them bother the compost pile yet. It might be because I'm careful to not compost any meat, grain or dairy, and maybe because I use a lot of coffee grounds and tea leaves. I also put it in the back of the yard, far away from the house, so it's a less likely target for house pests. If you have an existing problem with rats or mice, you might want to consider a closed compost tumbler. If you get this bin, I'd recommend leaving it open to catch rainfall and for airflow.
976186
No. I don't put meat or cheese in it, or grain products. Just vegetable scraps, eggshells, coffee grounds, garden waste, etc. We have lots of rats here (Southern California) and squirrels and opossums. Nothing has shown interest. The composter is a pretty sturdy little thing, and the lid is secure--though I weight it with a rock.
1515722
Bottom of composter about 2 feet from the ground. No rodent problems-constructed well and seems to be rodent proof!
1461722
No! It's quite entertaining to watch the repeated attempts on the part of the "rats with furry tails" to access the seed to no avail. The only drawback is the frustrated squirrel will often urinate on the feeder. This in no way affects the birds returning to the feeder. I should note that the feeder has an adjustable spring for the closure device that can be set such that bigger birds cannot get into the feeder.
393454
We haven't had any problem with mice & this composter--and we do have mice. This is the best composter I've ever used and I've tried many. First or second composter--it's great.
1380478
I have never had a problem with them. There is no locking or snap mechanism on the lid, it just lays closed. There aren't any holes or gaps open when the lid is closed. I think the rodents would have to be quite strong or chew a hole in the plastic to get inside. My dog can lift the lid of the bottom bin with her nose though.
726939
There's no top to it, but one could be made out of chicken wire. The plastic sides are thick enough to stop them, but if you have issues with rodents then you might want to buy one of the bin type composters.
1209059
I put a little bit of wood chips at the bottom to help absorb the mess. I haven't tried this with my guinea pigs but my rabbits use it everyday.
1432565
I have used this under my main feeder as a trap, but the birds do fling husks and seed so it is not a cure-all. I have put plastic garbage bags cut open, under the seed feeder to catch the debris and empty it at night. That works well. Keeps the rats and mice from coming in also.
152321
I do not know! We do not have an issue with rodents, but if you put the screen on right enough and secure most of the bottom (besides the opening), there is no "opening" until the animal physically tried to go through the screen. We love it because we do not have a screen door and we enjoy hving the door open without bugs coming in. I say it's worth a try!
1823339
I had a issue with squirrels chewing through although it is still useable. I have not had a issue with rats or mice that I am aware of - I use lots of garden clippings and leaves as well as food scraps. Overall I am not sure about this bin just because it is so flimsy.