Do Rats Ruin Compost?

One of the most common questions people ask is, “Do rats ruin compost?” If you have a compost heap, you may be wondering if rats are a problem. Unfortunately, rats can ruin your compost heap and spread disease. The first step to dealing with this problem is to keep the rats out of the compost heap.

Rats are attracted to compost piles for several reasons. One of the reasons is because rats are omnivorous scavengers and will feed on the decayed food materials. Although no compost pile is entirely free of rat infestation, piles that contain a high percentage of table scraps and other dried materials are more likely to attract rats. In addition, rats can use the pile as a nesting site if the pile is left unattended.

The best way to prevent rats from ruining your compost is to keep it moist. If rats are nesting in your compost, it means that it is too dry. The soil should be damp but not wet. Rats can’t survive without water, so it is crucial to maintain the moisture levels.

Using ammonia is a simple way to deter rats from entering your garden. You can place bowls or open containers filled with ammonia, or soak cotton balls in the solution. Place these near the garden edges. Rats don’t like the smell of ammonia, but it can be effective in repelling them.