h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Death due to inhalation of Aspergillus fungal spores:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7451439.stm

I am already aware of the dangers, as I've got an allergy to aspergillus, but I didn't realise it could cause death for people who don't have the allergy.

Well, as the article says, 'it would generally be dangerous only if disturbed in large quantities and the resulting dust inhaled'.

I've got another problem with my compost bin at the moment -rats . I think it's coz we've been chucking uneaten cooked vegetables in it, as well as peelings.

We've called the local council out who'veinstalled a rat trap, and told us not to 'feed' the rats for 2 weeks i.e. not put anyting onto our compost heep.

Trouble is, Mrs BigAl keeps plating up extra meals for our daughter and grandson, just in case they pop in. When they don't, we have to get rid of the food somehow. I'll just make sure that the cooked veg. goes into the wormery, which is totally enclosed, rather than the compost bin which is bottomless, so the rats can access it from underneath

They do say not to put cooked food in, because of rats. I do sometimes, but leftovers usually go in the bin, or into the fridge to be liquidised and used to fill hollow dog toys!

You could try getting a cat or a terrier to deal with the rats.

Well, we do have one remaining who did corner one of the rats the other day, but I had to finish it off