Mice in Compost

14 years ago

I have a mouse problem. My bins have been next to my house for a couple of years now. I knew this wasn't smart as a compost will attract mice and putting it next to the house would just get the mice that much closer to the house, but space is minimal and that's where they are. I have two black plastic bins with covers. Almost everytime I add food to them there is a mouse in there eating away. I plan to move the bins next year. In the mean time I am trying to minimize the mouse population. I have caught one by hand - mice can jump, I was probably more scared than he was - and I caught one in a trap. Any ideas on catching/killing more of them and how to discourage them from taking up residence?

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Comments (14)

sylviatexas1
14 years ago
cat hair!

Pick up a bunch of it from a vet or groomer if you don't have your own "source".

Mice stay away from places that smell like a predator.
Kimmsr
14 years ago
As a rule mice in a compost bin are not problems, the compost piles in the community gardens in places like New York City do not have a problem with mice. What you need to do is look at your management of that pile at determine why the mice are attracted there.
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mean_74
Original Author
14 years ago
Why they are attracted there? It's warm and there is an unending food supply? Its like a mouse Utopia!
I have a wife and three kids with a fourth on the way. We eat lots of fruits and vegetables so we feed our compost bin very well. We also have a crab apple tree in the yard. We put in at least 20 gallons of apples this year from the yard. I have noticed mice for years around the compost bins, but this year is extreme. I've never opened the cover and had one looking at me until this year. Now that has happened at least 6 times.
lazy_gardens
14 years ago
Use silicon caulk and glue window screening material or 1/4" coated hardware cloth over the vent holes the next time a bin is empty.

It should keep them out.
joepyeweed
14 years ago
A couple thoughts...

turn it daily... if they know its going to be continually distrubed, they may stay away. Though that is probably way too much work, for me anyway.

otherwise screen all the openings with a finer mesh. A pet proof screen would probably do it... Though I wouldn't be surprised if a determined mouse chewed through the screen.

If they aren't getting into the house, I probably wouldn't worry about them too much. Though I wouldn't want one staring me down, either.

I have a mouse catching dog. She is very good.
kqcrna
14 years ago
I found a mouse in my bin a few years ago. But then I found a snake in one bin a few weeks ago. I guess the snake would get rid of mice but I'd prefer mice. All things are relative.

Karen
Lloyd
14 years ago
"I guess the snake would get rid of mice but I'd prefer mice."

They're both fine in a good gravy.

:-)

Lloyd
plant_maniac10000001
14 years ago
Did you purchase the bin this way or did you make the vent holes yourself? Either put some aluminum window screen over those holes, or make (or purchase) a bin that is better designed.

I cold compost, so dimensions are moot to me, so I use a 30-50-gallon (not sure of capacity) heavy duty plastic garbage can as my main bin with a large number of drilled holes about 3/4" in diameter in all 4 sides as well as the bottom of the can (my materials are suspended from the bottom of the can by a false bottom made of mesh covered with window screen sitting on four blocks of wood to allow air flow up from the bottom). The lid, which is one of the fasten types, is fastened, but propped open with a wedge, so I get plenty of air exposure from the top, bottom, and sides, but it keeps the critters out. I compost a LOT of fruit and vegetable waste! Turning the material gets rather difficult when the containers get about half full :-( Worms cannot enter...

I'd go with a large number of smaller holes and add a screen lid (or any lid that allows airflow), or jsut keep what you've got and screen the holes that you've got :-) .
elphaba_gw
14 years ago
Do you have a cat? Or know where you can borrow one for a while?
jean001
14 years ago
Not all cats are mousers.

Beyond that, consider using a worm bin for the food trimmings. Works well.
justaguy2
14 years ago
I would say there is a good chance the mice are living there. If you remove all the compost you will likely find tunnels in the earth where they live/nest/breed.

If you can stomach it, once the compost is removed you can start stomping on the slow ones/babies that don't get away. Leave the compost out of the bin for a few days so they all need to find a new home and then place it back. Consider it a thorough turning of the pile ;)

When practical, relocate it further from the house.
randy_coyote
14 years ago
While noodling around on this very forum I found a site that shows how to build a pretty cool mousetrap. Almost made me wish I had a mouse problem.

Here is a link that might be useful: A Better Mousetrap
Lloyd
14 years ago
AAACCCKKK!

{{gwi:316191}}

He is kinda cute though.

Lloyd
mean_74
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks for all of the good ideas. The compost bins I have don't have bottoms, so I have them sitting on some concrete blocks. I'm sure that is how the mice got in - from the bottom. I'm pretty sure the mice are living in the bin. The bin with mice is full and it must be 50 - 100 gallon bin - it's big. Removing everything doesn't sound like much fun. I think I will try to catch as many mice as I can and relocate the bin away from the house next year.

Mice in Compost

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sylviatexas1

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