composting problem??

[897tgigvib]

Right now I'm listening to a "British Invasion" album set on that newmyspace. Howdy over there in England! That's where my eye doctor lives.

One of the threads has a link to a pin it map to pin your location on.

 

[canesisters]

I would venture a guess that the key here is (a)how big is your compost, and (b)how do you plan to use it?
If you're going to scatter it around the base of some flowers, probably no problem.
If you're going to mix it into garden soil and grow veggies - a good rain and some hot sun will very likely take care of any problems.
If you're going to plant directly in the compost - you might have a problem. But then again, isn't most compost based on poo of some variety?
If it's a small amount (wheel barrow full or so) - maybe just take the compost you've got - put it under a heavy layer of grass/leaves/straw/etc and let it get good and hot? Leave it a while to cook before mixing that new stuff in. And put out some rat traps/poison for the little varmets before they find the new pile.

This is just a guess - I'm still new at this and rely on the advise of the experts around here for just about everything.

eta: Of course, rat toilet or not, wash your hands after handeling it... it is rotting junk after all.

 

[bj taylor]

if the compost gets to really cooking, won't that destroy any dangerous microbes rat feces could bring in?

 

[MontyJ]

I read this the other day and could not come to a conclusion either way. But the more I think about it, the more I think it's no problem. I find it impossible to believe that no other compost piles have been visited frequently by rats and other vermin. My pile sits on the edge of a field. I know racoons go through it, and I wouldn't be surprised to know that a rat or two have been there as well. Keeping the pile turned will reduce or eliminate the tunneling. If it were mine, I would use it as normal.