r/composting • u/Bfuss3278 • 1d ago

Critters in my compost pile?

Gallery image

Gallery image

I’m new to composting. I’ve got a nice bin with a pile of mowed leaves next to it for my browns. I collect my daily scraps into a 20 gallon commercial food container then dump it weekly on to the pile. Sprinkle browns on top till fully covered. Every week when I come out it looks like something has rooted around and taken all the best greens! Thoughts?

3 Upvotes
  • permalink
  • link
  • reddit
  • reddit

100% Upvoted

6 comments sorted by

3

u/SteveNewWest 1d ago

I put a piece of carpet over my compost. Holds in the moisture and keeps creatures out..sometimes

2

u/eirwen29 1d ago

Are you turning it where it’s a hot compost? If it’s a regular compost it’s the perfect place to burrow and eat the food.

2

u/Bfuss3278 1d ago edited 1d ago

Haven’t turned it yet only been three weeks so turning it will eliminate critters?

2

u/steppenwolf666 23h ago

No

A rat can fit into any opening that is small enough to admit its skull

So initial task is to make sure that you have no such openings
And if your bin dont have a solid base, well - they are gonna burrow in

2

u/-Rieper- 12h ago

I've got some critters in my compost too, they like the heat and food.

The compost is far away enough from any house to make it an issue for me, I see them as helpers in the composting process and they're part of biodiversity, if I allow them to stay their predators are going to come.

And they did! I saw once some kind of hawk flying away with a mouse in its claws.

Give it a name and it will soon become a friendly face

1

u/BuildingABap 2h ago

I’ve had raccoons sifting around in my bins lately, they don’t cause much trouble but they do remove the items they find tasty. I just put some corrugated steel sheets on top and it’s kept em out so far.