[MiddleEarth]

Good info.

Don’t the kitchen scraps bring mice and flies etc? That’s my main hesitation with just an open pile on the ground.

[JustaDumbBlonde]

Well, yes, an open compost pile will attract rodents and flies. Possums, racoons and birds too. I didn't even think about that because there are not enough cats roaming the earth to kill all of the mice and rats that live around our homestead. The flies aren't a consideration since the heap is so far from the house that they are not even noticed (but really I've never seen that many flies, even with fresh stuff in the pile).

A drum bin of some sort will probably suit your needs much better.

[tillacum]

I haven’t been bothered by any critters. I guess it’s too HOT. We have chicken barns nearby and every once in a while I go over an bum a molasses bucket full and spread it over the compost, turn it, fluff it up a bit and let the little thing steam. So if you have neighbors with chickens, see if you can bum some chicken litter from them.