Big Rats problem
Mrudula Mangalvedhekar asked 5 years ago
I have buried the precompost almost six inch deep in the soil. I have kept big stones on top of it. But the big rats are still making their way to precompost. How to stop that and is the compost which will get ready safe to use for plants?
Nicki Casley Staff answered 5 years ago
Rats are naturally inquisitive animals, so they may from time to time find buried bokashi. But it is unusual to have such a recurring problem, especially if you are burying it deep enough and putting rocks on top.
Firstly, yes, the finished compost will be perfectly safe for your plants.
Secondly, rats do not like fermented food. To discourage them from returning, make sure that the pre-compost is fully fermented. Here are a few things to try to make sure that all of the food waste in your bokashi bucket is fully fermented:
1. Maybe leave the bucket an extra week or two to complete the fermentation process;
2. Chop up all food waste (especially meat and dairy) to 1″ pieces. Larger pieces can take longer to ferment.
3. Mix and chop the pre-compost really well when added to your garden soil. Make sure to break up any large pieces of fermented food waste before burying with 6″ of garden soil.
4. Add the pre-compost to a sealed compost bin, if possible.
5. Be a bit more generous when adding the bokashi bran. Again, this will make sure that all of your food waste is exposed to the bokashi microbes and fully fermented before adding to your garden.
Nicki CasleyRats shouldn’t be attracted to the fermented bokashi. Make sure to chop the bokashi pre-compost up as you add it to your compost and mix it in really well. Also, rats typically don’t like to be disturbed. Chop up and mix the compost regularly to discourage rat and wildlife activity. This mixing and chopping will also help to break up any pieces of bokashi and will also speed up the decomposition process.
Lesley Delacourt
replied 4 years ago I am new to bokashi, so have followed the instructions really carefully. But today a healthy-looking 6 inch brown rat shoot out of my large sturdy plastic compost bin when I was adding my bokashi. Anyone got any ideas?
Craig r simnett answered 2 years ago
Rats get into my bokashi regularly! Determined little bastards have made holes to reach the fermented goodness in both of my sealed plastic compost bins. I just let them have it now.
Craig r simnett answered 2 years ago
Rats get into my bokashi regularly! Determined little bastards have made holes to reach the fermented goodness in both of my sealed plastic compost bins. I just let them have it now.