I am wondering if it attracts rodents ( rats) since it is not covered? woud putting a tarp over it interfere with the composting?
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.
1823340
No, not at all. Rats will only be attracted if you put the wrong things in the compost pile. We live in a wooded area and have not had a problem but just add leaf and grass clippings and vegetable matter. ABSOLUTELY no meat, meat drippings, etc and it will work fine.
1823341
It has to stay moist so I am not sure about putting a tarp over it. I have not noticed a rodent issue whatsoever. I put my food scraps in the middle of the pile and then pile stuff over it. Getting started is tough, though, as you can't just drop food scraps in. You need to build in layers, so I used a layer of leaves, then added some feathers, grass clippings & some actual dirt. A month later I added more leaves & turned the pile over completely - it's coming along nicely!
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.
1823343
I did not have rodent issues. I did have fire ant issues in the summer. If I get a lot of rain, the ground around the compost pile gets saturated. Because of that, the fire ants make a home there since it is out of the water. I usually have to bang the side each day to tell the ants to leave.
1823344
So far we have not had a problem. I wouldn't think that putting a tarp over it would interfere, because it has an open weave around it. But on the other hand, it needs to stay moist.
1823345
I've never noticed any rodents. I put leaves, straw, etc. into the bin. When we add our food scraps then I always push aside some of the leaves/straw, dump the scraps, and then push the leaves/straw back over the food. So we usually cover up what we put into the bin. We also do not put any kind of meat or dairy into the bin. Turning the pile on a regular basis is important and that helps the contents decay faster. In the past, I've seen mice in the garage and once in the backyard. Solved that problem via mice traps and providing a wood pile in which a snake could live (yes, I did find a snake in the wood pile). I've never noticed any rodents. I put leaves, straw, etc. into the bin. When we add our food scraps then I always push aside some of the leaves/straw, dump the scraps, and then push the leaves/straw back over the food. So we usually cover up what we put into the bin. We also do not put any kind of meat or dairy into the bin. Turning the pile on a regular basis is important and that helps the contents decay faster. In the past, I've seen mice in the garage and once in the backyard. Solved that problem via mice traps and providing a wood pile in which a snake could live (yes, I did find a... » Read More I've never noticed any rodents. I put leaves, straw, etc. into the bin. When we add our food scraps then I always push aside some of the leaves/straw, dump the scraps, and then push the leaves/straw back over the food. So we usually cover up what we put into the bin. We also do not put any kind of meat or dairy into the bin. Turning the pile on a regular basis is important and that helps the contents decay faster. In the past, I've seen mice in the garage and once in the backyard. Solved that problem via mice traps and providing a wood pile in which a snake could live (yes, I did find a snake in the wood pile). « Show Less
1823346
I would think it would not attract rodents, even though mice can get thru the smallest of holes (which go right down to the bottom of the unit). When I put food scraps into the bin, I put it at least 6 inches away from the edge, covering it well with leaves/brown material. If you are still worried, I suggest a screen around the lower half of the bin. That would keep the air flowing, but not sure the mice would get under the screen anyway. I tried a tarp (not for mice), but it got too dry. Looks like no one else is having mouse issues either. Good Luck.
1823347
This is the first winter that I have fully filled by Geobin. As of yet I have not noticed rodents. I do believe putting a tarp over it would slow the composting, depriving the compost materials of the rain, snow, and sun that are conducive to more efficient composting. I have put an approximate 4 inch diameter drainage pipe with holes (from Home Depot, approximately 4.5 feet high) in the center of the pile to also assist the water and snow to reach more compost material.
1871589
I had rats in the attic. I just threw some around where I saw the hole under the eves of the roof. I wore disposable gloves. Good luck!
733041
Yes, the bottom is open, so the worms can get up into it and feast - good for the composting process. I dug out about six inches since we live in a windy area and I wanted it more secure than with just the stakes.
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 :)
483795
Hey Joy,No rodents can't get in .The bennifits of this unit is the compost tea resivoir and spicket.
1966651
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. 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... » Read More 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. « Show Less
1606876
Depends on what you are using it for? I raise wheat grass for my two rabbits--in a large brownie tray--couple inches potting soil, covered 1/4" of soil--water --not with excess...cover with plastic bag "greenhouse" --put almost anyplace--pushes up on greenhouse--loosen...no holes works fine. Cat and dog seem to appreciate its availability in the house during winter after it is 2-4 inches tall in greenhouse...remove cover. H Stephenson
48218
Ferrets are more destructive than rats, this will absolutely work for rats. Fleece is great for any rodents/weasels etc because they don't eat it, and it fits tightly enough so they treat it as the ground rather than a material to burrow i between.
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.
809405
It is safe around my dogs. I do not recommend it, it did nothing to repel rats in my outdoor shed. They went right by it to the food in the traps
970736
It should be good for rats, as they are similar in size to the squirrels that we use the trap on. I think mice might be a little small though.
906227
No. It is way too small and the fencing is way to short. Better for smaller rodents. I do think they make a larger size.
1487667
There are two "plug" inserts in the lid which slide into notches on the side panels to lock the lid in place. Each one is easily maneuverable with one hand. No raccoons where I live but, despite the efforts of my cats to keep the rat population down, we do have some large "tree rats" around but I've never seen them even close to the composter, the lid fits tightly into place and I doubt that a raccoon could even begin to figure out how to unlock it!
289652
We had a large hole in our wall behind a cabinet that rats were getting in through. We covered the hole with this and haven't seen one since. I'm thinking it would work for insulation too as long as the mouse/rat you are dealing with won't fit though the 1/2 inch holes.
367960
Hi Monika, I use this project mainly to deter squirrels from nosing around my bulbs and digging all over the place. I've never used it for mice but I can't help but think that it might work for mice and rats as well because of the ingredients. It seems to work a little for racoons and skunks so if it was me, I would try it and see how it goes. Sorry I couldn't be of more help. Take care and all the best to you for the new year.
152324
well we have rats from our outback compost pile and other critters around our deck, but nobody ever came inside. I think maybe the magnets are too strong for them to push through. Or maybe they never wanted to come in our house; not sure why they would want to when food is plentiful outside in the summer when we use the screen...
1661883
First of all, squirrels bring to an area...a rat's favorite food, PEANUTS. That being said, I haven't noticed a lack of squirrels in my yard and I have this stuff out 24/7 My last application has been in place for about 5 months with out being touched by any critter. That is just what I wanted.