Keep Pests out of the Composter!
Written: Apr 23 '07 (Updated Dec 05 '07)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: heavy-duty mesh screen in a metal frame, metal protected against rust, no assembly
Cons: wish the screen was a bit larger than the 24" square
The Bottom Line: With the Rodent Screen, I’m keeping the varmints out of the compost bin.
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| dlstewart's Full Review: Gardeners Supply Rodent Screen 34-051 |
I purchased a Deluxe Pyramid Composter from Gardener’s Supply. One of the “add ons” is a Rodent Screen. This screen is designed to keep rodents from burrowing up under the composter and into the nice warm compost. The last thing I wanted was a rodent problem.
Description
This Rodent Screen measures 24" square and is constructed from stiff black wire mesh with a baked-on powder coating so that it won’t rust. The spacing in the diamond-shaped mesh measures about 3/8". The entire square of mesh is rimmed with a 1 1/8" band of black metal, and the corners are squared without having sharp points. Since the outer edge of the metal that bands the square is rounded, the mesh piece is easy to handle.
Installation
There is no assembly involved. Gardener’s Supply shipped this rodent screen to me in a sturdy flat cardboard carton. Opening the carton, each corner of the screen had a protective piece of styrofoam around it. The entire screen was wrapped in a clear polybag that is made from a thick-grade of plastic.
One sheet of instructions came with the screen. Since this screen is designed to use with the Pyramid Composter, the instructions start with:
1. Assemble the composter.
2. Place the composter where you want it and remove the cover.
3. Place the Rodent Screen inside the composter.
4. Press the screen to the bottom, making sure edges are even on all sides of the composter.
Ta da! That’s it.
Apparently there is also a variety of composter called the “SpaceSaver Pyramid Composter”. If you own this style of composter, the Rodent Screen is first placed on the ground and then the assembled composter is placed atop it. The manufacturer recommends using Extra-Tall Earth Staples to anchor the “ears” of the SpaceSaver Pyramid Composter to the ground.
At the bottom of the instruction sheet is a list of four items with part numbers and ordering information. You have to visit their website or phone for current prices. The parts include:
#34-051 – Rodent Screen
#32-669 – Extra-Tall Earth Staples, set of 10
# 33-202 – Pyramid Composter
# 33-560 – SpaceSaver Pyramid Composter
My Experiences
It’s great that this Rodent Screen needs no assembly. Just pull it from the shipping carton. It was easy inserting the screen into the Deluxe Pyramid Composter. The screen practically slid by itself to settle against the bottom of the composter.
If I had to change one thing, I wish the screen was a tad larger than it is. The Rodent Screen has to be placed just right to make sure that all the earth is covered by the mesh. I took extra care to make sure the ground was level so that the screen rested flat against it.
I’m glad that the screen is protected against rust. That was an important factor to me. The metal mesh is also very sturdy. It won’t break any time soon.
The mesh is large enough to allow earthworms and helpful micro-organisms to pass from the earth beneath the screen into the compost. It’s a two-way path that will create healthier compost and also enrich the earth around the compost bin.
One of the compost articles I read suggested planting tomatoes or other vegetables near the compost bin so that they would benefit from the “run off” nutrients generated by the compost. I plan to do that this year. Might was well take advantage of the enriched soil!
Purchasing
I bought the Rodent Screen from Gardener’s Supply online store. It cost $18.95. Keep alert for discount coupons.
Update -- December 5, 2007
Thought you would like to know this screen is working well. Not a single rodent in sight in or around the bin. The screen hasn't rotted out either. It's in great shape.
Summary
While the Rodent Screen is not a necessity, I am glad that I spent the extra few dollars to purchase it. I have read articles that mentioned mice and rats making nests in compost piles. I figured ... better safe than sorry!
I hope you found this review useful.
Enjoy your day,
Dawn
http://dlstewart.com
Please read my other reviews:
Deluxe Pyramid Composter
The Garden Claw
Craftsman Long-Handled Weed Digger
Craftsman Long-Handled Round-Point Shovel
Fiskars Power-Lever Bypass Lopper
Upside-Down Tomato Garden
Earth Box Garden
Rubbermaid Big Max Storage Shed
Black & Decker Cordless Battery Mulching Lawnmower
Copyright 2007 Dawn L. Stewart
Recommended:
Yes
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