Gardener confused after neighbor blames eggshell fertilizer for rats, says exterminator is 'required'

A backyard gardening dispute took a strange turn after one homeowner said a neighbor accused their eggshell-filled raised beds of attracting rats.

The story, shared in Reddit's r/gardening community, sparked neighbor drama, composting debate, and practical advice from fellow gardeners.

What happened?

In the post, the gardener said the conflict was driven by a neighbor who blamed the yard for a rat problem.

The original poster wrote, "My neighbor comes to me and tells me that I need to stop throwing eggshells in my raised planters because they attract rats to his yard." They added, "I still haven't seen a single rat."

The neighbor also brought up a compost pile and, according to the post, "suggested I call an exterminator adding that a friend of his had told him that because my vegetable garden is more than 120 sf, it constitutes a business and he thinks food businesses are required to have exterminators."

Responses in the thread were largely doubtful of that argument, with commenters offering both composting tips and suggestions for handling the neighbor. One commenter offered a blunt theory: "Tell your neighbor that rats love hedges. They will probably have a burrow or two in his hedgerow."

Why does it matter?

For many households, growing food is one of the simplest ways to cut grocery costs, enjoy better-tasting produce, and spend more time on an activity that supports both mental and physical health. Raised beds, kitchen-scrap composting, and small edible gardens can make fresh food more accessible, especially as produce prices remain unpredictable.

Disputes like this can discourage people from starting gardens, particularly in dense neighborhoods, where one person's assumptions can become another person's stress.

Still, commenters acknowledged that uncovered food scraps can attract animals in some situations, which is why many gardeners think carefully about how and where they add organic material.

What can I do?

If you grow your own food, the simplest move is to keep garden systems tidy and low-conflict. That can mean burying scraps, breaking down eggshells into smaller pieces, or using enclosed compost containers rather than open piles.

Several Redditors shared ideas for doing exactly that. One wrote, "If you bake your eggshells for 15 minutes, you can run them through a food processor into very fine pieces that he will not notice." Others suggested in-ground bins or lidded containers to help deter rodents and reduce odors.

One commenter also recommended documenting any concerns, writing, "I'd maybe suggest putting a camera in your backyard to see if he's coming into your yard to look at things."

The original poster responded, "Thanks, Yes, I'm trying to keep things friendly," while also acknowledging the bizarre nature of the situation: "I imagine the rats must be driving them nuts."

Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.