Pests & Direct Composting: Who Invited These Guys?!
When Scraps Attract the Wrong Crowd (and What to Do About It)
So, you’ve officially broken up with the compost bin. No more turning piles, no more waiting months for “finished compost” that smells like a forest floor but took an eternity to get there. Instead, you’re doing the smart, low-effort thing: burying your kitchen scraps straight into the soil and letting nature do the work.
Honestly? I’m cheering for you. That’s composting the way it was always meant to be—simple, hands-off, and totally accessible.
But then… the drama begins.
You step out into the garden one morning, coffee in hand, and notice something’s off. A little too much dirt displaced here. A suspiciously chewed mango pit there. Maybe a trail of ants. Or worse—a raccoon-sized hole that screams “midnight buffet.”
Been there. It’s all fun and scraps until the pests show up.
Before you start regretting your no-bin lifestyle, let’s talk about what’s actually going on—and how to outsmart the scavengers without giving up your low-effort composting dreams.
Why Pests Are Showing Up
Your Scraps Smell Like a Free Meal
If you’re tossing scraps too close to the surface, the aroma of decomposing goodness is basically a neon “OPEN 24/7” sign for raccoons, rats, and even curious neighbourhood dogs.
You’re Not Burying Deep Enough
A couple of inches of soil isn’t gonna cut it. Rodents have PhD-level digging skills, and if they can smell it, they’ll find it.
You’re Feeding the Wrong Crowd
Meat, dairy, and greasy foods? That’s like throwing a backyard BBQ for every scavenger in a three-mile radius. Stick to plant-based scraps if you don’t want uninvited guests.
Your Garden is Already a Pest Paradise
If you’ve got overgrown areas, woodpiles, or cozy hiding spots, pests are already there—your compost just made their stay all-inclusive.
How to Stop Pests from Raiding Your Compost Stash
Bury It Like You Mean It
This isn’t a half-hearted sprinkle of dirt. We’re talking 6-12 inches deep, with the soil firmly packed down on top. If it’s harder to dig up than a good TikTok trend, you’re doing it right.
Go Green (Literally)
Stick to fruit and veggie scraps, coffee grounds, eggshells, and plant material. Skip the meats, dairy, and anything that smells like a five-star meal to a scavenger.
Rotate Burial Spots
Don't make it easy. Switch up where you bury your scraps so pests don’t learn your routine. Think of it as playing hide-and-seek with your compost—except you always win.
Add Some “No Trespassing” Signs
Sprinkle crushed eggshells, citrus peels, or spicy pepper flakes around your burial sites—pests hate these.
A layer of mulch can further disguise fresh compost spots.
Cover with something heavy like a tile, brick or rock. Light enough for you to move but heavy enough for the pests to struggle and give up.
Feeling extra? Predator urine (yes, it’s a thing) can tell pests to back off. Weird, but effective.
Make Your Garden Less Cozy for Pests
Trim overgrown areas—less cover = fewer hiding spots.
No extra snacks! If you have bird feeders or leave pet food outside, you’re basically running a pest food court.
Encourage natural predators—owls, snakes and other native predators into your garden.
Your dog is also a great asset to keeping pests out! No matter how small or big, if they’re silly or serious. Your dog will mark (pee) and chase pests away from your garden (your buried compost).
Pests Are Lazy, You’re Smarter
The truth? Pests go for the easiest food source. If they have to dig deep, dodge spice-covered scraps, and deal with a predator-infested garden… they’ll move on.
So, bury deep, compost smart, and let nature work with you—not against you. Your garden will thank you, your soil will thrive, and the raccoons will have to look elsewhere for their midnight snack.
Happy Burying!
Ever had a compost heist in your garden? Drop your funniest pest story below! Let’s share the struggle (and the solutions).