|
Thu, Feb 17, 11 at 15:30
| Hey friends.
Im going to build a Wooden Compost bin out of scrapped pallets. I was wondering about things like -Air slots (how big, How many) -Pests (we have mice and voles, should they not be allowed in? -The plans I have seen for wooden compost bins have large holes that a rodent could easily get into. Thanks for any advice, If anyone knows a good set of online plans that would be excellent too. Im a wooden boat builder so anything from simple to complex would do famously. Thanks
|
Follow-Up Postings:
|
| If you can build a boat your bin should be a work of art! But I keep it simple. Pallets already have air slots. My double bin is 5 pallets wired together in an E shape. Rodents will probably only come if there is cooked food waste. But a few mice or voles are not a big problem IMO. A shovel will deal with a nest of mice very efficiently. Rats are another matter and I keep a trap ready just in case. |
|
| This not too bad a design. I would improve it by putting the floor 2x4's on edge. A raised floor keeps rats out. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Compost Bin Construction
|
| My compost bins are made of 1 x 8 cedar planks set right next to each other with no gap and air circulates through the compost with no problem. Any gap you leave will give any mouse or rat or anything else an easy means of entry. What I have seen is that air circulation in a compost pile smaller than 6 x 6 is not a problem unless the material is too wet because water displaces air. |
|
| I just wire 4 bins together with coathanger wire. I used to wire another bin on top after making the pile, but now I weigh it with a stone. The bins last 2-3 years after which I incorporate the partly rotted wood in the bottom layer. Mice and voles can get in pretty much no matter what you do. I keep a Warfarin-baited trap near the pile and need to replace bait monthly or so. Not really sure what's taking it. Dog keeps larger vermin away frm the piles. BTW, I use those closed, maze-type traps so only animals that can get through 2" entry holes can get at the bait. |
Please Note: Only registered members are able to post messages to this forum. If you are a member, please log in. If you aren't yet a member, join now!
Return to the Soil Forum
Instructions
- You must be a registered member and logged in to post messages on our forums.
- Posting is a two-step process. Once you have composed your message, you will be taken to the preview page. You will then have a chance to review the contents and make changes.
- After posting your message, you may need to refresh the forum page in order to see it.
- It is illegal to post copyrighted material without the owner's consent.
- HTML codes are allowed in the message field only.
- No advertising is allowed in any of the forums.
- If you would like to practice posting or uploading photos, please visit our Test forum.
- If you need assistance, please Contact Us and we will be happy to help.