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Waste and compost · Live with it: use, dispose, record · waste-24Control pests around waste
Rats, flies, raccoons, bears and stray dogs follow food. Most pest problems come from what goes into the system and how well it is covered.
How
- Keep meat, fish, cheese, oils and oily leftovers out of open compost.
- Put food scraps in the centre of the pile and cover them every time with leaves, straw, wood chips or soil.
- Turn and moisten the pile so it breaks down quickly and is not a dry nest.
- Check mesh, lids and vents regularly and repair holes.
- Remove other attractants nearby: spilled feed, pet bowls, open bins and fallen fruit.
- If an infestation takes hold, stop adding food scraps for a while, move kitchen waste to a worm bin, or call a professional pest service.
Safety: Avoid putting poison baits where pets, livestock or children can reach them.
Do these first
Sources
- Composting: Preventing Animal Nuisances. Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County, accessed 2026-11
- Composting At Home. US Environmental Protection Agency, accessed 2026-11