Does Composting Attract Rats: How to Keep Rats Out?

Composting is pretty good, as it recycles leftovers and provides nutrient rich fertilizer.

Everything is fine until you see a rat crawling over the compost. Just the thought of them rummaging around your garden is enough to make your skin crawl.

What’s worse is that, there are probably more.

Rats are considered highly intelligent and opportunistic creatures. If your compost heap is offering them free buffet then what will stop them.

Once they’ve found a food source and a cozy nesting spot, they’re hard to evict. That’s why it’s super important to address the issue early.

Left unchecked, a rat infestation can spread beyond your compost—into sheds, garages, even your home.

Not only do they damage property, but they also carry diseases. So yeah, this isn’t just a gross inconvenience. It’s a real health concern.

But don’t let this scare you off composting altogether! You can absolutely keep compost and a rat-free yard—if you know what attracts them and how to keep them out.

Why Does Compost Attract Rats?

The short answer: food and shelter. Rats are scavengers, and compost piles—especially when loaded with food scraps—are like a 24-hour all-you-can-eat buffet.

• Food scraps: Especially things like bread, grains, fruit peels, or meat (if you’re composting that), are irresistible to rats.
• Warmth: A decomposing compost pile generates heat. To a rat, that’s a cozy little condo in the middle of winter.
• Shelter: A loose, open compost pile gives them places to tunnel and hide from predators.

Even if you’re careful with what you add, smells from a poorly managed pile can still drift far enough to invite curious critters. And once they find it, they don’t just take a bite and leave—they settle in.

Check this: Bokashi Composting: An Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide

How to Keep Rats Out of Your Compost?

So, you’ve got compost, and you’re not willing to give it up. Good! Composting is awesome—let’s just make sure the rats don’t think so too. Here are five solid ways to keep them away for good.

1. Use a Sealed or Enclosed Compost Bin

This one’s a game-changer. Open-air compost heaps might be easy to start, but they’re also a neon sign for rats.

• Choose a bin with a lid and solid sides, preferably made of durable plastic or metal. Rats can chew through thin wood or flimsy plastic, but heavy-duty bins make things much harder.
• Ensure the lid fits securely and isn’t easily knocked loose by wind or curious paws.
• Some people place their bins on concrete or raised platforms for added protection.

If you prefer a turning system, go for a tumbler composter. These are fully enclosed and off the ground—rats can’t dig into what they can’t reach.

2. Avoid Adding Meat, Dairy, or Cooked Food

Here’s the thing: rats love protein and fat. So when you throw in leftover spaghetti or that half-eaten cheeseburger, you’re basically leaving them a gourmet meal.

• Stick to plant-based scraps like vegetable peels, coffee grounds, tea bags, and eggshells (rinsed).
• Avoid even small amounts of meat, bones, dairy, oily foods, or anything heavily seasoned or processed.
• Even compost-friendly items like bananas or melons can become an issue if not properly buried or balanced.

If you must compost all food scraps, consider indoor Bokashi bins or green cone digesters, which are pest-proof alternatives.

3. Turn Your Pile Regularly

Lazy compost piles become rodent nests. Active ones? Not so much.

• Turning your pile every few days disrupts burrows, keeps the pile hot, and speeds up decomposition.
• A hot compost pile (above 130°F or 55°C) is not just great for breaking down scraps—it also deters most pests.
• If you’re using a static bin, just use a pitchfork or compost aerator to stir things up.

Bonus: turning helps reduce smell and adds oxygen, which improves the overall health of your compost.

4. Create a Rodent-Proof Base

If your compost bin sits directly on the soil, rats can tunnel right in from below.

• Line the bottom with hardware cloth (¼-inch mesh), metal screen, or even an old baking tray with drainage holes.
• Weigh it down with stones or bricks to make it impenetrable.
• Avoid placing bins directly next to fences, dense shrubs, or woodpiles—these offer cover and entry points.

Even if you’ve never had rats before, this small step can save you a major headache down the road.

5. Set Up Natural Deterrents

Sometimes it helps to let nature fight back.

• Peppermint oil is a strong-smelling, natural repellent—soak cotton balls and place them around the base of your bin.
• Used cat litter, though gross, gives off predator pheromones. Sprinkle it in a perimeter ring (but not inside the bin).
• Chili powder, vinegar spray, or even ultrasonic devices can also create an invisible boundary.

Keep in mind: natural repellents need to be reapplied regularly, especially after rain.

Also Read: How to Make Compost at Home Using Kitchen Waste?

Composting Tips to Prevent Rats in the First Place

Let’s be honest—chasing rats after they’ve already discovered your compost is way more work than just preventing them from showing up in the first place.

Prevention is where the real power lies. If you set your compost up the right way from day one, you’ll make it incredibly unappealing to any wandering rodent.

Think of it like setting house rules before the party starts—no food on the floor, no open access, no shady corners to hang out in.

Rats are opportunists, not fighters. If your compost isn’t worth the trouble, they’ll move on.

Here’s how to get ahead of the problem before it even starts.

Keep the Right Balance of Greens and Browns

Maintaining the correct mix of compost materials isn’t just for the sake of good decomposition—it also helps keep smells in check and makes the pile less attractive to rats.

• Greens are your nitrogen-rich materials (like fruit peels, veggie scraps, coffee grounds), and browns are carbon-rich (think dried leaves, shredded newspaper, cardboard).
• The ideal compost pile has two parts browns to one part greens.
• Too many greens can make your pile slimy and stinky—exactly what rats are sniffing for. Browns help balance the moisture and reduce odors.

Bonus tip: Dry materials also help prevent mold and keep the structure loose enough for good airflow, which speeds up composting and discourages burrowing.

Never Let Food Sit on Top

Rats have a great sense of smell and will beeline toward exposed food scraps like they’re starring in a scavenger hunt.

• Always bury fresh food scraps at least 6 to 8 inches into the pile.
• After every addition, cover the surface with browns—like sawdust, dried leaves, or soil—to act as a smell barrier.
• Think of this like hiding your snacks from nosy roommates: out of sight, out of mind.

Compost with the Bokashi Method (Indoors)

If outdoor composting is attracting too many pests—or you just want something neater—indoor methods like Bokashi or vermicomposting are smart alternatives.

Bokashi uses beneficial microbes in a sealed bin to break down all types of food waste, including meat and dairy. It doesn’t smell, and since it’s fully enclosed, rats won’t be interested.

Vermicomposting, on the other hand, uses worms to process food scraps in a tidy bin that fits easily under your sink.

Keeping the area around your compost clean is just as important as what’s inside. Don’t leave fallen fruit, birdseed, or pet food nearby—these are bonus treats for rodents.

Clear out overgrown plants, sweep regularly, and keep your bin away from fences or sheds where rats might nest. If you’ve had rat issues before, scrub the area with vinegar or bleach to remove scent trails and discourage them from returning.

Lastly, make your compost pile less inviting with a few smart tweaks. Line the base of your bin with ¼-inch hardware cloth to stop tunneling, and weigh it down with bricks or stones.

Avoid overwatering—wet compost piles smell more and are easier for rats to dig through. Turn your compost regularly to introduce oxygen, speed up decomposition, and keep it too hot and active for pests to settle in.

Also Read: How to Build a Compost Bin with Pallets?

Conclusion

Yes, compost can attract rats—but it doesn’t have to. With the right setup, you can enjoy all the benefits of composting without inviting pests.

Stick to sealed bins, avoid food scraps that lure rodents, and keep the area clean. Already got a rat problem? Don’t worry. You’ve got the tools to handle it and compost with confidence.