Problems with composting

Question

We r composting in tubs and now have nats and it smells bad. We r careful what we add to our tubs. One family member even has magots in hers. What r we doing wrong!!

Rosemir Fadel · Answer

A composteira gera um líquido que é ótimo adubo por isso deve ter três compartimentos como exemplo aí vai um link:http://www.vidasustentavel.net/sustentabilidade/como-fazer-um-minhocario-caseiro/ Para a banheira deve ser acrescentado terra por cima e precisa de tampa.

Becky P · Answer

my compost bin does attract ants and roly polys. Never put meat scraps in it. I do egg shells, potato & carrot peelings, coffee grounds, etc., along with gardening waste.

Kay · Answer

We have never put any meat in ours either. Very disappointed in our project. From what I read many people were keeping them in their home in the winter. We could not do that with ours at this point! thanks for trying to help us. Hope we get other suggestions!

Becky P · Answer

I put scraps into a butter tub, but had to put it out on the deck for the summer because of gnats. In the winter I keep it on the counter, and take it out to the compost pile every once in awhile. It did take a few years before I had usable compost. (but I don't turn it, could be why) (Check out my post on my page, about tilling it)

Catherine Smith · Answer

@Kay....you're overfeeding your worms. Add additional bedding material to your bins. i use shredded black and white newspaper. It will help absorb the moisture and the odor. And increase the length of time between feedings, they aren't gonna starve. You aren't doing anything wrong. Sometimes, you have to make some adjustments to get the bin in balance, but don't give up. I have 4 double stacked worm bins that are in my spare bedroom year round. Rollypollys are normal, they are also composters of a sort and are harmless. If your getting ants and gnats, again your adding too much food, so they're attracted to the bins. Becky, are you talking about regular compost or worm compost? If it's regular compost then yes, you do need to periodically turn it, sound like you're doing 'cold' composting which is fine.

Becky P · Answer

@Catherine, it's regular outside compost. But I am sure worms are welcome! http://www.hometalk.com/diy/compost-bin-tiller-1500093

Peg · Answer

sounds like too much water is in the compost and you're having rot and decay opposed to organic break down. Does the compost tub have holes in them for air? Do you toss/stir it up? When you have a natural compost pile in the yard, excess water from rain will just seep into the ground. If you are making your compost in a bin and keep it outdoors, you need to have some way of excess water to get out.

Kay · Answer

We put small holes in the sides and bottom. the directions said to put inside another tote to catch any liquid which will drain out. We haven't been stirring them. We also keep a lid on it. We were also directed to put wet newspaper in the bottom to keep all in it. If u can give us more info with ur experience we would certainly appreciate it Peg!

Kay · Answer

Catherine u r such a great help! Thank u! We will add shredded paper and less feeding and see if that helps. It is easy to get discouraged when u r new @ this. Plus I encouraged other family members to try it with me ! The worms r trying to crawl out of bins. Is that normal? I bought wiggler worms.

Catherine Smith · Answer

@ Kay, you only need wetted newspaper when you are setting up a new tub. And you need to wring it out to just damp. As I mentioned earlier, the moisture is coming from your castings. Add additional dry newspaper to help absorb some of the moisture, it's ok to crack the lid slightly to help the bin continue to dry out, your worms aren't going anywhere.

Marie R · Answer

I've never done compost inside. Interesting. Im sure adding the 'dry' stuff...I used my shredder all the time and that breaks down very nicely...gets rid of all that annoying paperwork.

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Problems with composting

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