How to Compost Food Waste Without Attracting Rats
Compost doesn’t attract rats — easy food and strong smells do. When compost bins become a problem, it’s almost always down to exposed food waste, poor balance, or easy access points.
Quick Answer
You can compost food waste without attracting rats by only adding suitable scraps (veg peelings, fruit waste, coffee grounds), always covering them with browns, keeping the heap aerobic, and preventing access from the base and sides of the bin.
Why rats are attracted to compost bins
- Exposed food waste
- Strong smells from anaerobic compost
- Easy access underneath or through gaps
Food waste you can compost safely
- Vegetable peelings and trimmings
- Fruit scraps
- Coffee grounds and paper filters
- Tea bags (plastic-free)
- Crushed eggshells
Food waste to avoid
- Meat or fish
- Dairy products
- Cooked food
- Oily, salty or seasoned scraps
The golden rule: always cover food waste
Never leave food scraps exposed. Every addition should be buried or capped with a generous layer of browns such as shredded cardboard, dry leaves or paper.
Simple rat-proofing steps that actually work
- Use a solid or mesh base to stop access from underneath.
- Keep the lid closed at all times.
- Add food little and often, not in large dumps.
- Maintain balance to prevent strong smells.
- Turn occasionally to keep compost aerobic.
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Summary
Rats are attracted by exposed food and smells, not compost itself. Compost food waste safely by choosing the right scraps, covering them with browns, keeping the heap aerobic, and blocking access.