Comments on: Rats and Outdoor Trenches

By: Kirsti

Kirsti — Wed, 29 Apr 2020 14:44:22 +0000

Thank you, Bentley, for the great tips!

By: Bentley

Bentley — Wed, 29 Apr 2020 14:42:23 +0000

A local horse stable might be easier to track down and they may be more willing to let you take some off their hands (farmers often spread manure on their fields). It should be some form of bedded manure (ie mixed with things like straw, wood shavings etc), and best to avoid poultry manure. Even without manure, things like grass clippings, mulched leaves – and increased activity, watering etc – should help. Think like a rodent and what you would hate! hahaha 😉

By: Kirsti

Kirsti — Wed, 29 Apr 2020 14:33:28 +0000

Ok, that is helpful, but that means I would have to ask a farmer for manure then? Any farm animal source ok?)

By: Bentley

Bentley — Wed, 29 Apr 2020 14:28:25 +0000

Hi Kirsti
Unfortunately the bagged manure you get from stores isn’t very good. Much of the nutritional value is gone and it can also contain high levels of salts. Something like horse manure that’s been sitting outside for a period of time is far superior (worms will go crazy for it) and in a lot of cases it can actually be obtained for free. As for food wastes – yeah I would say that use of manure and other “living materials” like old rotten leaf litter, rotten straw etc as cover materials would make a a big difference in terms of reducing the odors that attract rodents. You might even try urine – whether from predators (can be purchased) or humans (wink) to see if that deters them. I’ve seen a BIG difference between quiet times of year when I’m not doing much work on the beds and active times of year (not surprisingly, far less rodent activity in beds when I am out there a lot).

By: Kirsti

Kirsti — Tue, 28 Apr 2020 16:08:14 +0000

Thanks, Bentley. Yep, I sure did think of giving up my trench… But now that you have offered a new suggestion of manure, I will of course give it a try. We are in a similar area – is there a particular kind of manure I should get from typical store here? Secondly, can I continue to use food scraps, but just add in layers, esp top one of manure? Thank youuu!

By: Bentley

Bentley — Sat, 25 Apr 2020 12:42:28 +0000

Hey Kirsti – rodents can be a pain, especially if you are using food scraps or commercial feeds (yard wastes and manure are far less likely to attract them). Others have made some interesting suggestions. Overall the key is to make the system as uninviting as possible. A covered trench left alone for long periods of time is much more inviting than an uncovered system you are constantly disturbing etc. Don’t give up!

By: Kirsti

Kirsti — Tue, 24 Mar 2020 23:52:05 +0000

To my dismay, my trench is supporting any number of mice or/and other rodents. It is located in the garden beside shed, so they live under shed and go into the trench whenever they feel like it. Of course it is covered with straw and tarp with rocks but that is all the more attractive for them. Any ideas before I abandon the trench? I doubt it is worth the risk of so many rodents near the home… I worked very hard on the trench so this is VERY disappointing!

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Wed, 01 May 2019 17:27:35 +0000

Has anyone tried an ultrasonic rodent repeller, like this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07F6BB2M7 ?
I’m wondering if it will repel rats without perturbing the worms.

By: Glennda

Glennda — Sat, 22 Sep 2018 23:15:36 +0000

I just harvested some vermicompost, moved the worms into new bedding and fed them. Two days later the scraps have vanished and only a few worms are left so something got in there I figure and ate both scraps and worms. I have now closed the only opening with duct tape smeared on the outer side with Tanglefoot. I strongly suspect rats and hope the goodness of the Tanglefoot will at least deter them

By: Bentley

Bentley — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 12:38:37 +0000

I am located in Southwestern Ontario (Canada)