composting in an urban area?

[Proudmomoftwinsplusone]

We live in a city that sporadically has rat problems. This has prevented me from composting. I know that there are compost containers (with worms in them?, bacteria? something?) that I could probably get. Does anyone have experience with these contraptions?

[Belleweather]

I don't yet, but I want to. We're thinking about getting one of those rotating compost drums -- the kind that live on a stand and either turn on the stand or can be taken down and rolled around to aerate the compost. They're thick plastic and while theyhave holes in them they're really small, small enough that mice and rats can't get in, but gases and air can move. One of our neighbors has one and hasn't had a problem with insects, rats, stench or building inspectors, so I'm guessing they'd be okay for us too.

[farmer mama]

We live rurally, but I do have a tumbler (mine is actually called an "urban compost tumbler" LOL). Rats couldn't get into it, and as long as you are composting "right", it will not smell. We put our food scraps into it, and then do a 3 open bin rotaton after they break down. Some public waste management companies will offer compost bins for cheap. Ours was around $45, you can see it if you scroll halfway down this page www.composters.com/docs/bins_p4.html

[Proudmomoftwinsplusone]

I thought I had read about those tumbling drums somewhere. Do you know about how long it takes for the food scraps to break down?

[kerc]

:

[farmer mama]

Originally Posted by Proudmomoftwins

I thought I had read about those tumbling drums somewhere. Do you know about how long it takes for the food scraps to break down?

Once your barrell gets going and you have a good mix, it takes about 6 weeks.

[OlfactoryHues]

:)

Some friends of mine who live in a larger city in CA got this one: http://www.gaiam.com/retail/product....t%5Fid=14-0020

and have never had a problem. Their biggest problem are birds (seagulls) that get into trash and mess it all around.

Good luck!


Jenn

[kathipaul]

We have rats in our city but I never seem near our composter. Two cats and a dog take care of that! We also have composters with lids on them, so there is no real way for them to get in. We got them free from the city of Seattle. I would love to have a rotating drum composter. My dad has one and makes compost lickety split!