[Scribbler]

Don't really mind having the odd rat in the compost bins, and it's a welcome diversion for the cats.

However is there any evidence of health problems from the rats getting into the compost and thence into produce? I'm thinking Weil's disease or similar.

[paintedlady]

There is a strong possibility of disease.  If you were well out into the countryside perhaps not, but the rat population in towns probably do come into contact with the disease from waterways & sewers.

Your biggest problem is that today is one rat, tomorrow many many more!

[Annie]

I think rats in compost is inevitable,cold outside v warm compost bin with freshish food supplied regularly and they usually move out in summer.I`m not sure about the health issues since rats are everywhere,just if you have a compost heap the difference is you know where exactly some of them are.I use the eco friendly bicab stuff in a drainpipe section this time of the year as they start breeding soon near the heaps and cos they ate holes in the shed floor earlier this year.This seems to work as they had got wise to the blue warfrinised grain.It doesen`t get rid of all of them but it means only the mice are eating the bean seeds!

[alan42]

it is illegal to harbour vermin knowingly as is traping them and then releasing them in another area as a have read people do, a fine or prison or both can be levied against the person. if i found out that somebody on our allotments had vermin and didnt report it i would termanate there lease immediatly and it takes a hell of a lot to be thrown of our site but keeping or allowing vermin on your plot will get you thrown of asp.
As already stated today one rat tommorow lots.
i should mention we supply free rat poision to all our tenants so theres no excuse.
alan

[Scribbler]

Some friends of ours have a pet rat...