Compost Discussion Thread (Merged Threads)

Debt_Free_Chick

Big_Bird wrote: »

Or use the flies for target practice when urinating into the bin.:D

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

MrsTinks

shredded paper will help I guess it depends on whether youre talkign small little fruit flies ro your box standard black flies that are a nightmare or even bluebottle... (yucky!) - the fruit flies just ensure you have a good mix in there and if possible mix it up from time to time... the others... check you are not putting anything in like meat that migth attract them... if you are then at least make sure you cover such items up well with paper or other compost material so that flies can't lay their eggs in the first place

~Chameleon~

I've also got flies in my compost bin but they're not fruit flies (I get those in my kitchen caddy if I have any fruit bits in it!) nor standard housefly/bluebottle types. These are brownish, around the size of a housefly, and they swarm out as soon as I open the lid to put anything in! :eek:

catford

Now the flies have been joined by an extended family of big fat slugs!:eek:

I opened the bin to add some shredded newspaper and met the slug family head on,must be 30+ of them--is that normal too??

There is no food in the bin-- just leaves/grass /veg peelings,the odd apple core,egg shells+ cartons/shredded newspaper and tea bags.

I cant see the point of adding chemical stuff like lime to the bin--I may as well put fertiliser on my plants and forget the compost completely.;)

Anyone got a spare NBC suit I can borrow:D

Blacksheep1979

catford wrote: »

I cant see the point of adding chemical stuff like lime to the bin--I may as well put fertiliser on my plants and forget the compost completely.;)

Anyone got a spare NBC suit I can borrow:D

well lime is fairly natural and if you're really against that or bicarb etc use chalk which is naturally occuring or crush some limestone and put that in.

catford

Thanks --I thought that compost heaps took care of themselves!!--Maybe I will give the Lime a go if adding more shredded paper doesn't work.

Blacksheep1979

if you want to more reassure yourself as to lime not being too harmful all it is is chalk that has been heated up and after not too long a period it will return to being chalk pretty much.

VLT

Hi, I seem to have a problem also. When I opened up the lid today there seems to be a lot of small what looks like maggots in there. Can I leave them in amd stir it up or should I try and get them out? Not relishing the latter though if i'm honest!

gavvallance

slugs in the compost bin is good.
A humane way to get rid of them from your plants! chuck them in the composter dead or alive, they'll love it in there and improve the compost.
The living ones will even eat the dead ones - becoming super slugs improving the compost even more :rotfl:

PabloNeruda

I only began composting around a month ago. But last weekend someone....I can't think who....*cough*.......left the lid off the composter and as a result it has been exposed to the elements including rain for the past few days. Do I have to start over again?