bugs in compost PLEASE HELP!

by Legacy post · 2016-05-11

tileman – posted 09 July 2004 07:39

I started a compost pile back a few months ago. I stacked up block in a 4 x 5 area. Then I added my materials. I’ve used most of the table scraps and food that would of gone in the trash and dried leaves and branches. I was told I need a good balance of “greens” and “browns”. I do not add any cheese, meats or oils.

The problem is BUGS. I went out to add some materials and turn the pile yesterday and it was full of ants and these worms. I thought they were maggots at first but they are slightly larger with dark rings around the body. Maybe little grubs? This pile is fair size maybe 3′ high and 3-4 wide and deep. And I mean LOTS of bugs seriously. Top to bottom full of bugs.

What am I doing wrong and what do I do now?

Thanks

epi 1:10,000 – posted 17 July 2004 18:49

Congratulations it sounds like you got a healthy pile. Don’t worry the maggot/grub looking things are probably solider fly larva and they kill off all the other bugs that carry diseases like house flys and fruit flys. They will also help you break your compost down into mulch and feed the birds. As long as the ants arent fire ants then they arent hurting anything unless you are allergic to them. If you want to get rid of them then mix in some fresh grass clippings and a few cups of sugar, keep the pile moist and it will cook them all at about 150 degrees.

[This message has been edited by epi 1:10,000 (edited 17 July 2004).]

Alex_in_FL – posted 05 August 2004 18:19

Never add foodwaste to compost piles. It is unsanitary and you will get ants and other vectors (like you have).

To compost food wastes either bury them in small piles 4-6″ deep around your yard or start a worm bed. Worms love veggies and their castings make great compost and or soil additives.

Alex_in_FL

epi 1:10,000 – posted 09 August 2004 22:53

Yeah, you are probably better off following Alexs advice. I know they use soldier fly larva for composting and use it to produce an animal feed. Most research hasn’t been able to identify soldier fly larva as a vector for any human pathogens but it hasn’t ruled out the possibility. As for house flys and fruit flies they are most defiantly vectors. Unless you are able to identify what the larva are you might be safer trying to do hot composting. Hot composting is where you add enough nitrogen sources [like fresh grass clippings] to keep the interior temp of the pile between 130 to 160 degrees. If you can maintain these temps then you can add vegetative table scraps to the center of the pile otherwise start vermicomposting your table scraps. Check out these links.

http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/extension/compost/compost.html

http://www.howtocompost.org/cat_generalinfo.asp

http://www.mastercomposter.com/