Help!

I'm new to Texas and trying to compost down here. I created a compost bin out of plastic mesh fence and have been dumping grass clippings, kitchen scraps (veggies, fruit, eggshells).

My Husband found a rat now apparently eating some of the kitchen scraps in the compost this weekend and he wants to tear up the bin and give up on composting.

Is there anything that can be added to teh compost bin that could discourage rodents and other critter while maintaining the organic integrety of the compost?

Appreciate any suggestions - I was just starting to see the fruits of my composting labour...

France

Hi France....

With food....make sure you bury it really good under some browns and greens so that the smell doesn't get out. It'll keep the odors down and reduce the risk of unwanted rodents and stray animals. Most of the time, I'll dig me out a little hole out to dump my kitchen scraps in, then I'll just cover it back up.

Another trick is to put kitchen scraps, meat, animal manure, etc in a small 30 gallon metal trash can where thay can decompose somewhat. Then you can dig a spot in the compost and bury it later. I think I saw Howard doing this at his house.
Tony M

If you bury it right, you can put anything into the compost pile. No smells should escape. My dog brought me a squirrel once. I buried it but not deep enough and he brought it back to me. So I buried it deeper and, even though he watched me, he couldn't find it again.

If you bury it right, you can put anything into the compost pile. No smells should escape. My dog brought me a squirrel once. I buried it but not deep enough and he brought it back to me. So I buried it deeper and, even though he watched me, he couldn't find it again.

I put about 99% of my kitchen scraps in a blender before burying them in my pile. This not only helps keep away the pests, but speeds up the decomposition .

I also meant to say...DON"T GIVE UP!! It's truly rewarding!