raccoon belly

Hello everyone,

NO - this is not about me personally, even if the term would also apply :(.

We set up a quick composter to compost our kitchen waste (no meat or bones).
Now we have already had it happen twice that the front cover (no storm or strong wind) of the composter was "removed," lying a bit away, and the composter was partially undermined. The food scraps (peels, etc.) were partially pulled out and scattered around the property :eek:.

After the first time, I put everything back inside, closed the composter, and placed a larger board in front of it, which I secured with a stake.
Nevertheless, it happened again today :mad:. The stake was pulled out (maybe I didn’t drive it in far enough), the board was about 1 m NEXT to the composter, and it was now undermined from 3 sides (it was basically standing on stilts).

What kind of animal could do something like this? Since there was no meat inside (except maybe worms decomposing the organic waste), I rule out animals like dogs, cats, martens, badgers, foxes, etc. Mice, rabbits, hedgehogs are too small for it (the board was lying somewhere completely different).
Therefore, I suspect rather a raccoon trying to fill its belly (gnawed potatoes we had to dispose of).

I have now taken the following measures:
I placed large tile pieces in front of the two access panels from the inside (slightly buried). The two closed sides were secured from the outside with two large tile pieces. I placed another board in front of that and secured it with one or two stakes each. Additionally, I placed some larger stones in front and mounded earth + tamped it down.

Now my questions:
What other animal could it be?
If the measures taken also do not hold - what else can I do? (It does not make sense to put the composter on concrete or something similar - natural decomposers would hardly get to it anymore.)

In our experience, either raccoons or rats. The creatures are very clever.

Only a composter made of metal with a suitable, lockable lid helps.

Could it still be a dog, cat, or fox even if there is no meat there? These animals also like to eat eggs (eggshells in the compost), cooked pasta, and other things. Raccoons are not found everywhere in Germany, are you aware that you have raccoons in your area?

In our experience, it is either raccoons or rats. Those creatures are very clever.

The only help is a metal composter with a suitable, lockable lid.

Hmm - I have already come to the realization that if the measures do not help :(, I will take the thing down again and stop composting. We are now also being forced by the government (soon) to set up a brown bin. Disposal will certainly be expensive as well.

Before I catch rats :mad: - I’d rather take the thing down.

Couldn’t it still be a dog, cat, or fox even if there is no meat there? These animals also like to eat eggs (eggshells in the compost), cooked pasta, and other things. Raccoons are not everywhere in Germany, do you know if there are raccoons where you live?

We don’t know what it is – we don’t see the creature in action. Surely it could also be a cat. I simply went by the process of elimination here. Eggshells – that could be possible the first time. But I usually dispose of them “normally.” Pasta – no, we don’t get that here. And if I eat it for breakfast (which I manage with pasta and cold pizza ;)).

Well – let’s see how it goes in the next few days. Yesterday’s construction held up well overnight. My father also gave me the tip to put a metal grid underneath (as a bottom closure). Maybe it will just be too hard for the creature to get to the “treats,” and it will go to the neighbor across the street – he also has one of those fast composters :cool:.

Eggshells from raw eggs should/must be washed out for the composter. Grüsslis

Cats don't go near the compost. They are pure carnivores. But they don't only hunt mice; they also hunt rats. Ours certainly don't shy away from anything, unless the badger is causing trouble around here again. :rolleyes: I think it's wise to attach metal under the compost. Your father's tip was good. :)