Advice for householders to help avoid problems with rats and mice
Compost bins and heaps
Compost bins and heaps can be attractive to rats seeking either food and/or a relatively warm place to live. An enclosed and lidded compost bin will generally be less accessible and so preferable to an open compost heap.
Strong wire mesh (e.g. made from galvanised steel) placed underneath compost bins and heaps will help prevent rats burrowing up into the compost from underneath. The holes to the mesh should ideally be no larger than around 15mm wide.
Do not put the following in your compost bin: Raw or cooked meat and fish, cooked vegetables, cheese, dairy products, bread, cooked food rich in carbohydrates (e.g. pasta), dog faeces or cat litter. These can be very attractive to rats and are not suitable for home composting. A full list of what should and should not be put in compost bins is given at: What Materials Can Be Home Composted | Test Valley Borough Council.
Avoid siting your compost bin / heap too close to you or your neighbours’ homes. They are best placed in an open area away from your boundary and thick undergrowth because rats prefer to avoid crossing open areas where they feel vulnerable to predators.