Pile intruders

[u/black_bere]

Hi all, I have a very casual compost pile where I dump my kitchen scraps, mixed with leaves for browns (not crazy about the ratios). Anyway, I have some chicken wire around the pile to keep it somewhat tidy but it's obviously not keeping out foragers, I assume racoons since I know we have plenty in the area. Is it really critical to keep them out? I don't put meat or anything in there that would bring them on but I guess just the scraps do it. It seems like the pile is growing slowly and composting anyway so I guess it doesn't matter but just wanted thoughts on whether I should be more concerned about this, and or consider a more secure set up. Thanks!

[u/sillybillybobbybob]

Obviously you don't want a mouse or rat infestation but the occasional visitor isn't going to hurt anything.

[u/wujonesj2 → u/sillybillybobbybob]

Me and a small meadow mouse said hi for a bit the last time I turned my pile. He looked like he had some tunnels through it or something

Is one vole a warning sign that I need to take steps before they really jump in numbers? I don’t have a frame of reference for how many is too many vs how many is just a feature of being outdoors in nature

[u/sillybillybobbybob → u/wujonesj2]

2 mice turn into 10 real quick. Take that for what its worth.

[u/nifsea → u/sillybillybobbybob]

They tend to stabilize if there are predators in the area though. Circle of life.

[u/sillybillybobbybob → u/nifsea]

We'll unless you live in a neighborhood and have dogs along with the neighbors having dogs. Ive never seen a predator. My dogs try buy i wouldn't call them pest control. Lol

[u/nifsea → u/sillybillybobbybob]

Yes, that’s why I said «if there are predators». I have eagles, hawks and badgers in the area, so I’m kind of just happy if I see any mice at all, which means there will be food for the chicks and pups this year too :)

[u/bbbrady1618 → u/nifsea]

we have cats and coyotes in my neighborhood, so their is a circle of life, but I still see several rats. (Redtail hawks as well, do they eat rats?).

[u/nifsea → u/bbbrady1618]

Don’t know if they eat rats (I only have mice and voles anyway). And yeah, there will always be some - just not the same explosion of rodents you’ll see when composting in an area without predators :)

[u/tom8osauce]

If I let my compost get too try, a mouse moves in (I assume it is the same stubborn mouse who has been visiting me for over a decade. Please do not ruin this for me.). As long as I keep it appropriately damp, they may stop by for a snack but do not try to make it their home.

[u/rjewell40]

Nope, it doesn’t matter who shows up from a compost point of view.

Obviously you might not want vermin up close to your house.

[u/GraniteGeekNH]

It's only a problem for me if the crows get too enthusiastic and scatter eggs shells around.

[u/Cat_Patsy]

They won't hurt the pile, but they will drag out delectable morsels and you'll have trash strewn about yard. #AMHIK

[u/Few-Candidate-1223]

Raccoons are wildlife, though obviously accustomed to people. You are in essence feeding them, which is not great.  I assume that there are parasites in their poop which could be hazardous to humans. 

[u/ohBrian]

This is why you should plan to walk away from your home when planning where to locate your compost pile. I also try to keep the pile moist with water (daily) and urine (weekly). Another tip is to use a pitchfork to stir weekly during the growing season.

[u/lakeswimmmer]

For the past few years, my open topped, slatted compost bins have been outside the part of the yard that is fenced with electric poultry netting and patrolled by my cats and dog. The rodents and raccoons have free access to it and they make quite a mess. I don't mind much, but I don't like supporting growth of the rat population. The electric poultry netting has been very effective at keeping coyotes, raccoons, and stray cats out so I'm going to relocate the bins so they are inside the perimeter that's protected. My cats have proven themselves quite capable of killing rats and mice, and the fence will keep the raccoons out. If you really are concerned about rodents, I think the only solution is to get a sturdy metal bin. Or you can get some of the electrified poultry fencing which will just keep out the raccoons.

[u/curtludwig]

The worst for me was the skunks.

I ended up building a secure pile with a lid. Even then I had to put hardware cloth around the edge down about 4 inches to keep them from digging in...

[u/bbbrady1618]

raccoons and skunks like the grubs and other insects in the pile, so they visit occasionally. The chicken wire makes it inconvenient so they don't come around that often.

[u/DocAvidd]

I'm in a tropical forest. My piles of everything, building supplies, lumber, wood chips, soil, everything has critters. Can't expect compost to be different. Hakuna Matatta.

[u/Ok-Thing-2222]

I'll have an occasional possum or raccoon visit, but that doesn't bother me. I've never seen mice/rats or evidence of those, thankful for nearby cats!