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Rat poo in compost pile?
Posted: Sat Aug 05, 2006 7:04 pm
by NancyAnne
We have two domestic rats. Is it safe to compost the rat poo?
Posted: Sat Aug 05, 2006 11:44 pm
by Wombat
I would think so Nancy. I would be concerned about pathogens if they were feral or something ut the domesticated ones should be fine!
Nev
Posted: Sun Aug 06, 2006 2:12 am
by NancyAnne
Great! Thanks
Posted: Sun Aug 06, 2006 7:27 pm
by red
I wouldn't - I would be worried about wiels disease... prolly ok in domestic rats.. but still.. I would not chance it.
just my opinion
Posted: Sun Aug 06, 2006 7:40 pm
by The Chili Monster
Weil's disease needs water to spread (that's why the innoculations are offered to sewage workers and canooists.
Posted: Sun Aug 06, 2006 9:03 pm
by Muddypause
AIUI, Weil's disease is spread by their urine, which is not helped by the fact that rats are pretty incontinent, and needs water to survive for any length of time. In that respect it wouldn't be a problem WRT a composting their faeces.
More details, to set your mind at rest (or possibly alarm you further)
here.
Posted: Tue Aug 08, 2006 7:29 pm
by the.fee.fairy
Weils disease is virtually unknown in domestic rats (unless they are in contact with wild ones, in which case Lice and fleas are more of a problem).
i compost my rats poo and bedding, and have been told that its perfectly safe to do so. The compost should get to a high enough heat to kill any pathogens.
Posted: Fri Aug 18, 2006 5:08 pm
by digiveg
Compost will only get hot enough to destroy pathogens if it's turned every 2 days or so during the first week, so that the central (and hottest area) is occupied by all the source material in stages - and only then if there is a high enough concentration of nitrogen. Otherwise, if you're dealing with the Poo of Carnivores, you could be heading into trouble - or even hospital.
Use the Indore (yep, sounds like it's a living room floor job, but it's not) method to be safe.