How To Add Eggshells To Your Compost Without Attracting Pests

Composting isn't just a great way to create food for your plants, it's also a perfect way to deal with much of the waste from your own food. Everything from banana skins, to rotting vegetables, to small amounts of grains and bread can be added to your compost pile. You can even place eggshells to your compost, though you should always wash them first to avoid attracting pests like rats and other small mammals and to prevent potentially harmful bacteria from being introduced into your compost pile.

There are a lot of good reasons to add eggshells to your compost. Not only does this keep the shells out of your garbage, reducing food waste, but eggshells are also high in calcium, which is vital for plants. Some people even opt to add eggshells directly to their gardens, though this isn't always the best option since the shells can take a long time to break down. Instead, the best strategy is to thoroughly rinse your eggshells to prevent them from attracting pests, and then finely grind the clean shells to help make the calcium more accessible for your plants. When combined with strategies like always covering food waste (including eggshells) with dried leaves or other yard waste and using a well constructed compost bin, your eggshells shouldn't cause any problems at all in your compost bin.

Don't put whole eggs in your home compost bin, as that is a surefire way to attract pests and end up with an unpleasant smell. Once you've finished enjoying your eggs and have only the shells though, it should be no trouble to prepare them for the compost bin. While simply rinsing your eggshells before adding them to the compost should be enough to prevent them from attracting pests, adding just a few extra steps will make the shells an even better addition.

After rinsing your shells, consider cooking them briefly to ensure they are dry and brittle and that the membrane inside the shell has broken down. After that, the eggshells should be easy to grind into a fine powder using a food processor or coffee grinder. Once the eggshells are finely ground, they are basically equivalent to adding pure calcium to your garden or compost. Clean ground eggshells are also excellent for feeding composting worms since the grit helps them to digest other food waste. 

Even if you perfectly prepare your eggshells before adding them to your compost, it's possible you'll still struggle with rats, mice, and other pests invading your bin in search of snacks. Opting for a bin with a lid and hard sides and putting hardware cloth under it can go a long way towards limiting rodents' access. Adding in a layer of "browns" or dry carbon-rich waste like dried leaves or shredded cardboard after adding in food waste can also help to deter animals from visiting since all their favorite treats should be well-buried. 

A tumbler style compost bin can also be a good option if you continue to struggle with pests. Because these bins are raised off the ground and sealed except for a few small air vents, they are far more difficult for rodents or other pests to access. Just remember to turn your bin regularly for the best and fastest results.