Keen gardeners who want to enrich their compost and soil often consider incorporating food waste, safe in the knowledge that certain items like meat, dairy, and pre-cooked foods are strictly off-limits. Yet, a pest expert has disclosed a commonly ignored item capable of luring rats into your garden.
John Stewart, a pest prevention specialist from Pest-Stop, revealed: “While adding eggshells to your compost might seem harmless, it’s not the best idea.” He said: “Not only do eggshells take a long time to break down, but they can also attract unwanted visitors – like rats!”
Despite being laden with nutrients beneficial for soil enrichment, eggshells might inadvertently invite rodents to seek food. John highlighted that unwashed eggshells could retain smells that draw rodents to your compost heap, particularly in the colder months when they seek out warm areas, such as the heat-producing composting sight.
With rodents becoming a persistent issue once settled experts like John underscore the importance of prevention, stressing that it is simpler to deter rats from taking up residence near your compost than to tackle an infestation later.
“To prevent rats from burrowing under your bin, consider setting it on a solid base, like a concrete plinth or paving slabs,” said John. He noted that every gardener should take three crucial steps to ensure their compost is “rodent-free and working efficiently,” reports the Express.
Firstly, a fully enclosed compost bin is essential to secure the compost. John also suggested burying food scraps deep within the compost to help contain any smells.
His final piece of composting wisdom was regularly turning your compost to speed up decomposition and reduce odours. Some gardening experts claim eggshells can be used if crushed and baked beforehand.
According to GardeningKnowHow, baking the shells helps eliminate any bacteria that might be present and makes them less attractive to pests. However, even with these precautions, there is still a risk that gardeners may prefer to avoid.
Instead, stick to other compostable materials less likely to attract rodents, such as fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, and grass clippings.