I think that rats are more attracted to cooked foods and I only put vegetable peelings into the compost bin , plus coffee grunds , an occasional layer of shredded paper and the odd layer of compost from the other compost bin !

I never add cooked food to the compost.
My cmpost bins are at the end of y little walled garden and I have put a rose arch over them to disguise them a bit !

Hi BritFinn, it is the difference between a pile of rotting foodscraps and a working compost that is important when thinking about rats etc.
They are generally there for the foodscraps.

A live compost has lots of 'brown dry' ingredients ie dry leaves, straw, shredded paper, and the milled prunings Mada mentioned. They add warmth and spaces inbetween for oxygen to balance out the kitchen waste and other 'green moist' things.

You have to think of it as a pet that does need care and attention. A very easy pet! It stays still and is inexpensive to feed. The turning is its weekly exercise!

Here is the best info I have seen. It even mentions composting in Alaska!
http://journeytoforever.org/compost_make.html

in the end it was too busy a wekend and the compost did not get scattered on the garden , never mind... another week it will get done !