would this make a good 2nd composter? Put my partially decomposed material in this one? Will mice be attracted to mostly decomposed material?
393451
I think it would make a good second com poster (I'm getting a second one myself). Mice has never been a problem for me.
393452
i think this is ideal, lightweight, not sure why you put partially decomposed stuff in, i put fresh scraps, leaves, paper in it. it open on bottom and stakes attach it to ground so invites worms, lid is attached so closed. the only openings are the mesh sides and that is for air circulation. doesn't smell, etc.
393453
No not really. We ended up giving it away. The only real use for it would be for drying grass and other materials. It doesn't have a bottom so rodents can crawl in.
393454
We haven't had any problem with mice & this composter--and we do have mice. This is the best composter I've ever used and I've tried many. First or second composter--it's great.
1487911
Yes, it's a special garbage bag used for keeping raccoons and mice, etc, out of your garbage... You can't mix it together with other types of garbage bags in your garbage because the raccoons will just go into the other types of garbage bags and leave the MintX garbage bags alone... Whatever you're trying to get rid of, be it raccoons or mice... If that doesn't answer your question sufficiently... I suggest you either call MintX - they're very helpful - or visit their website
1367297
I have a compost heap out in my back yard. I take stuff out to it all year long. Some people have 2. One cooking and one building. You can do it however you like, obviously.
1562643
See if you can find a large boot tray or similar "platform" to place under the composted. Lay some newspaper and dirt on that. Then place your composted on it, start filling it, and you should be good to go!
1823339
I had a issue with squirrels chewing through although it is still useable. I have not had a issue with rats or mice that I am aware of - I use lots of garden clippings and leaves as well as food scraps. Overall I am not sure about this bin just because it is so flimsy.
1871587
Keep the materials in the little bag, as the rodents will chew through it. We lifted our garbage can "shed" up and threw a few underneath, as we knew that dogs/pets would be unable to get to the bags. A Week later the bags were all torn with the pellets mostly gone..
976188
No problems with rodents...there are insects in the summertime (this is my second composter), but they basically stay in the composter...you will get the most beautiful, most nutrient soil ever...I encourage everyone to get one...a great way to get back in touch with the earth.
281294
Do you mean you want to add it to your compost pile for gardening? It is made from corn so I suppose it is possible but I wouldn't want used cat litter in my compost pile.
1082480
No--I do not have rats in my area, but I do have raccoons, opossums, skunks, chipmunks and squirrels, as well as the occasional coyote, and nothing has been in the composter over the 5 months that I've had it outside. I do put fruit and vegetable scraps out there, so I think if the critters could get in there, they would.
1823347
This is the first winter that I have fully filled by Geobin. As of yet I have not noticed rodents. I do believe putting a tarp over it would slow the composting, depriving the compost materials of the rain, snow, and sun that are conducive to more efficient composting. I have put an approximate 4 inch diameter drainage pipe with holes (from Home Depot, approximately 4.5 feet high) in the center of the pile to also assist the water and snow to reach more compost material.
976186
No. I don't put meat or cheese in it, or grain products. Just vegetable scraps, eggshells, coffee grounds, garden waste, etc. We have lots of rats here (Southern California) and squirrels and opossums. Nothing has shown interest. The composter is a pretty sturdy little thing, and the lid is secure--though I weight it with a rock.
1042369
I started using the composter at the beginning of this summer, so I don't know exactly how it will perform during the winter. Frankly I am not thrilled with it. I plan on cleaning it out next spring and giving it away.
1692849
Mouse urine, ugh!!! I would think the purifying bag would at least help, if not eliminate. They're cheap enough that it's sure worth the try.
481018
I've had this composter for a few years and just recently had to dismantle it because the critters (and I don't know who/what they were), actually managed to chew through the side panels. I've kept heavy rocks on top of the lid for years and can't remember what made me start, so I'm guessing that yes, something figured out fairly early on how to get it. For the record: I DO NOT live in the wild but in modern suburbia.
976187
yes, we had a opossum that was pulling up one side, it's a pretty light weight composter. I had to steak down the corners and also put a screw above the trap doors at the bottom so the critters wouldn't keep opening it.
2191951
Yes- I had 2 in my kitchen and they work great, no smell (except when you open it) but it filled up fast, so it's good if you have somewhere to empty it, like outdoor compost or a garden.
1947621
All of the answers are correct. I was planning to purchase another composter so we can have two batches of compost going at the same time.