8 Best Animal Proof Compost Bins to Keep Critters Away

The benefits of indoor composting are many, but for some of us with the space, we want to take our compost bins outside. In doing so, we may begin to attract rodents, rats, and other critters like raccoons and even bears(!). For many reasons, people may not welcome these animals as house guests. So let’s explore how to keep them at bay using animal proof compost bins.

To produce good compost quickly and without having to worry about animals, an indoor countertop compost bin is undoubtedly the best solution. While this article will explore a few of those, the main focus is outdoor compost bins that can produce compost without inviting all the animals in the neighborhood. 

Does compost attract animals?

Yes, compost tends to attract animals. When they smell composting fruit and other scraps, they picture trays of tasty food. Not only does your food waste provide meals for hungry rats, raccoons, and their animal friends, but the heat of the compost bin provides a perfect place for them to live. 

The 8 best animal proof compost bins

If there’s one place animals love, it’s your compost pile. The rotting food and warmth from decomposing matter provide an ideal environment for them to raise their young. Fortunately, there are composters that are rodent proof and keep out other animals, too. 

1. Mantis CT8002 Back Porch ComposTumbler

In as little as 4-6 weeks, the Back Porch ComposTumbler can convert food waste and other scraps into rich compost. A removable door facilitates the easy addition of organic matter and yard waste and vents support adequate aeration. Perfect for urban dwellers, the tumbler is compact—all you need is a flat surface, like a porch, to put it on.

The design also features two wheels, so you can easily roll it over to your garden to supplement plants and flowers with finished compost. The tumbler compost bin is slightly off the ground and features secure door latches to keep rodents out. However, this will keep compost-supporting worms out, too. 

What we like	What we don’t like
Grooves make it easy to turn  Comes in red or sage green  Drainage unit balances moisture levels	Difficult to assemble Only one chamber to compost waste May not work year-round

 

 

2. Jora JK125 Composter - 4.5 Cubic Feet

Don’t be fooled by the compact design of this double chamber tumbler compost bin. It can handle a lot of kitchen scraps and yard waste—to the tune of 2-4 gallons per week! So, while one chamber is composting fallen leaves and dried grass clippings, the other side can be filled with a mix of food scraps and brown, nitrogen-rich matter, like cardboard.

So that you won’t be bothered by rodents and raccoons, the Jora is elevated. It also has two fully-enclosed and pest proof compartments. The HDPE insulation encourages rapid, odor free temperature rise, reaching 150℉ to turn organic matter to compost quicker, so that vermin, unwanted bugs, and animals won’t be attracted to it. 

What we like	What we don’t like
Easy to rotate Can compost meat, fish, and bread Made with stable, non-toxic plastic	Expensive Difficult to assemble Sheet metal panels may rust

 

3. Lomi Home Composter

As one of the only truly animal-proof composters, an electric kitchen composter like Lomi is the composter to turn to when you want a pest-free house. Not only does the closed system prevent odors and annoying insects like fruit flies, but it also produces dirt that’s rich in nutrients and can be sprinkled in the garden or added to potted plants.

Perhaps the best thing about the Lomi is how quickly it operates. In as little as a few hours, kitchen scraps and other hard-to-compost waste (meat, dairy, leftovers) are transformed. This can help the typical household reduce their kitchen waste by 50-80%! Because fresh food scraps won’t end up in landfills where they’ll release methane, it’ll reduce household carbon footprints, too. 

What we like	What we don’t like
Sleek design looks great on countertop Can compost bioplastics Easy to wash and operate Extremely fast	Quickly sells out Smaller compost holding capacity

 

 

4. Bokashi Composting Kit

Available for use in all seasons, Bokashi indoor composters make use of microbe-rich Bokashi bran, which transforms food scraps and other waste into compost and compost tea. It can even compost pet waste! All of this happens in a closed, anaerobic system—meaning there’s no need for a charcoal filter.

A full compost bin takes just a few weeks but as the compost is very acidic, it must be buried in holes in your yard before it can be added to soil—otherwise it could damage plants.  

What we like	What we don’t like
Relatively quick Made with 75% recycled plastic Creates compost tea (liquid fertilizer)	Large, unsightly bucket Compost must be buried before it’s useable Full bin requires you to wait before adding more waste

 

5. Envirocycle Mini Composter Compost Tea Maker

Dubbed “the cutest composter in the world,” this mini composter is ideal for smaller households who want to put their fruit and vegetable scraps to good use. Drain plugs are used to collect nutrient rich compost tea, which can be dumped directly into the garden or on potted plants. It can also be added to a larger compost pile to boost humidity.

Wonder how to keep flies away from the smell of waste? An enclosed design. This one provides no access for rodents, and keeps other pests like fruit flies at a minimum. The Envirocycle can be used year-round and worms can be added to accelerate the process. 

What we like	What we don’t like
Doesn’t require assembly Made with BPA-free, food safe materials Easy to turn	Some may not like dealing with liquid fertilizer Just a single compartment  Small capacity

 

6. Behrens Galvanized Steel Composter

For those on a budget, this compost bin can’t be beat. Using a simple design, this trashcan-lookalike is a durable, steel composter. It uses holes and a base that’s off the ground to ensure adequate air flow.

Designed to be a rodent proof compost bin, the lid fits tightly and can’t be penetrated by rats or raccoons. Although it’s made from long-lasting steel, the bin is nice and light and can be easily moved to collect waste from the garden or deposit finished compost. 

What we like	What we don’t like
Affordable Features animal-proof design Made with 100% recyclable and partially recycled steel	Difficult to turn  Lid holes can allow rain in, increasing moisture too much Steel can rust

 

 

7. Aerobin 200

If you’re looking for a compost bin that can be placed on the ground, but can still keep animals away, the Aerobin might be for you. The thick, insulated double wall and insulated lid are secure enough to prevent animals from getting into the bin. The weather-tight bin will keep out rats and racoons and won’t require any turning from you.

Thanks to heavy duty insulation and an internal aeration core, it provides perfect composting conditions. Once the black gold is ready to be added to soil, it can be accessed through a removable door on the side of the bin. The bottom of the bin serves as an accessible reservoir for liquid fertilizer, too. 

What we like	What we don’t like
Suitable for year-round use Don’t need to turn or agitate Quick composting	Long installation process May be damaged in extreme weather Side doors are difficult to remove

 

8. Aeroplus 3-Stage Compost Bin

Thanks to its revolutionary 3-stage process, the vertical design of the Aeroplus provides aeration as the scraps move through each stage. It won’t require you to mix or turn the compost by hand, saving you time and labor.

In just 6-8 weeks, you can expect to have finished compost to add to soil. Because the process is so quick—and thanks to the airtight lid—you won’t have to worry about pests like fruit flies. The thick, durable, and weather-proof plastic will also minimize smells as the compost bin reaches temperatures of up to 158℉.

What we like	What we don’t like
Fast composting process Multiple chambers for continuous use Made of recycled plastic	Expensive Assembly can be difficult Fittings may rust

 

9 tips on how to keep animals out of compost

Ever wonder why animals are so attracted to the decomposition of fresh food scraps and other waste? Well, it all starts with smells. Fruit flies and other critters like rodents can be lured in by the smell of composting organic matter because they know that process will produce a warm, cozy environment and a good food source.

Knowing this, we can carefully create good compost while taking steps to keep away unwanted bugs and their furry friends.

1. Always use an airtight container: Using a container with a tight lid will help to prevent odors. 
2. Keep the bin off the ground: A rodent proof composter is one they can’t reach! 
3. Speed up the decomposition process: A more efficient compost bin will have less time to draw the attention of rats and other pests. A compost pile should be turned weekly and be kept at an adequate air and moisture level. 
4. Store food and other scraps in the freezer : Before taking your kitchen scraps to a community drop off spot, stash them in the freezer. This will minimize smells until they’re collected.
5. Wrap your compost bins with wire mesh: Cover the sides of the bin (including vent holes) to act as a barrier that prevents rodents from getting in. 
6. Use cloth at the bottom of the compost bin: Adding hardware cloth beneath composters will stop rodents from trying to burrow underneath. 
7. Keep compost bin or tumbler away from other possible food sources: Choose a location for your composter that’s far from firewood, trash cans, pet food, bird feeders, pet waste collectors, fruit trees, or weeds. 
8. Don’t decompose hard-to-compost material: Aside from electric countertop composters like the Lomi, don’t attempt to add meat, dairy, and leftovers to the compost pile and most bins. 
9. Surround fruit and vegetable scraps with brown material: When you add food scraps, put them at the center of the compost bin and surround them with brown, carbon-rich items like dried leaves, dried grass clippings, cardboard, and sawdust. 

The bottom line: what’s the best way to compost without attracting animals?

With a little extra know-how, you can easily create black gold without inviting rats, rodents, and other animals over to your home. This starts by knowing what yard waste and food scraps are able to be composted. Then, you should ensure adequate aeration by spinning your tumbler compost bin or agitating the bin. Finally, by adding moisture (or dry material) when necessary, you can speed up decomposition to have rich compost without pests.

For no worries at all when transforming food scraps and other waste into something that supports our planet, consider joining the thousands of households who have turned to Lomi for the best food waste solution. It’s one of the only truely animal-free bins out there and it quickly and easily provides nutrient-rich dirt—without attracting bears, raccoons, rats, or other pests. Sorry critters, the scraps in this compost bin aren’t for you.

Written by: Heather Seely