Something is living in my compost bin...

owd potter

Other than worms that is...
I turned my 2nd compost bin today. Upon lifting the carpet cover I found what appear to be burrows or runs at the surface of the compost just under the carpet.
Although I have not seen any, I'm assuming it is a rat(s) but what could be attracting it (them)? 
Could they be feeding on something there? I deposit plant matter from the garden & vegetable waste from kitchen, peelings, egg shells, tea bags, banana skins etc, plus paper and cardboard waste.
Anyone else experienced this? 

Lyn

Rats just love that environment that’s why it’s advised that you turn your compost with a garden fork as often as you can, preferably once a week. Apart from aerating your heap,  rats just hate disturbance. 🐀 

pansyface

Yes, probably rats. Could be voles or even field mice.

They are probably enjoying your discarded carrot tops and so on. And the warmth of a blanket to sleep under.

As I live in the country it is absolutely pointless my trying to kill or evict them.  There are thousands more waiting their turn.

I just let them get on with it. They do a fine job of turning the mixture over for me. As soon as it’s time to dig out the compost, I give the sides a good thump with the flat of a spade. They skedaddle and let me empty the bin in peace. I usually find a little nest or bed in there but have so far never found any young ones in it.

fidgetbones

I had a toad living in one of my bins all last winter. When it was warmish he sat on top. Cold he burrowed down. He was gone when I tipped it out in April.

It has a tight lid so he must have burrowed up from the bottom.

Lyn

All our compost containers are on fine chicken wire, worms can come up but nothing burrowing. 

owd potter

Thanks Lyn
Yep, I turn it regularly, but not weekly which seems a bit of a chore...
I have been turning it perhaps monthly for over a year now but it is only today that I have seen these burrows
Thought maybe the heat from the pile may be attracting them ? 

Fire

I use closed bins, not on the earth, to avoid the rats.  Gazillion of worms and bugs. It works pretty well, but they are small bins. I'm in London, small garden, colonies of rats close by.

That is a terrific picture, @fidgetbones

owd potter

@pansyface @Fire
Yep, I assumed rats, which are everywhere and never very far away. They are a distance from the house anyway so doesn't bother me particularly and they can just get on with it as you say.
@fidgetbones it's great to see the wildlife that share our spaces, I remember Monty Don finding grass snake eggs in his bin a few years ago, that's neat.

KeenOnGreen

We also have rats in our bin, every year.  Given that they carry Weil's disease, would you be happy to use that compost on the veggie patch, or am I just being paranoid?

Lyn

KeenOnGreen said:

We also have rats in our bin, every year.  Given that they carry Weil's disease, would you be happy to use that compost on the veggie patch, or am I just being paranoid?

Probably a bit paranoid Keen, after all they are running around all over your garden at nights, it’s the pee that’s the problem and they pee on everything.  All you can do is wash your veg very well and hope for the best.

If you see one, dispose of it as quick as possible,  not much else you can do. 
I was always particularly vigilant when the children were small,  they sit on the grass, put stuff in the mouths.   Make sure hands are washed well after handling soils and composts. 

Wilderbeast

We get snakes in our compost they love the warmth, infact our old neighbour used to have huge compost heap that the just left to rot all on its own and we got to see the snakes all emerging after hatching