Compost Discussion Thread (Merged Threads)

Jayar · 12 July 2007 at 7:38PM

Wouldn't advise it
General rule is that nothing cooked should go in the compost bin. It could well attract rats.

ixwood · 13 July 2007 at 2:12PM

They say that, along with lots of othe rules, but generally anything that was once alive will compost eventually.

If you wanted to, you could put it in, but make sure it's well buried.

Lord_Gardener · 14 July 2007 at 8:49AM

If it's well buried or you have a bin with a lid on then you shouldn't have a problem unless you have tons of the stuff!! NB Remember that you can compost your shredded paper to completely destroy that secret/confidential info!!

absfabs · 14 July 2007 at 10:44AM

Used to put in bread, cooked veg, rice - only small quantities occasionally. But then we had a rat infestation, they dug their way in from the bottom, so I don't do that anymore.

noodles3 · 30 July 2007 at 12:34PM

Hi all

I was just wondering... I have just started to do my own compost bin, it was going really well i was filling it with all the right stuff when to dry or to wet... Now its full of very large bi fat slugs... Is this normal or will i have to start again...Yes the lid is on :mad:

christineperseus · 30 July 2007 at 3:12PM

No answer to your slugs problem,
but I've got ants in mine!
I keep going and tossing them - but they re-group!
Also found three slow worms in there - so tossing carefully to avoid injuring them.

Jayar · 30 July 2007 at 6:28PM

noodles - better in your compost than in your garden eh?
Christine - apparently ants can be the result of too dry a mix. Also they don't like to be distuirbed, so if you turn, turn and turn again they should vacate the premises.

Waxy_Bean · 30 July 2007 at 8:41PM

My compost bin is full of all sorts of creepy crawleys - worms, ants, slugs, woodlice and still seems to be composting nicely....

System · 30 July 2007 at 9:47PM

Lets get back to the original subject please. These large 5" light brown slugs. Jesus! what whoppers. Are they an asset or should we be out with the salt. On one of our late visits to the garden we couted over 24 of the things. I reckon there are far more than our resident hedgehog could eat in a fortnight.

Lord_Gardener · 31 July 2007 at 8:27AM

At least you can collect them from one place! Of course they like snails love compost and the plastic type bins are the ideal environment for them - lots of condensation! Drop in hot water, spray with strong vinegar or 'salt' them to kill, or just bag and bin.