COMPOST: TROUBLESHOOTING, TIPS, AND TRICKS
Composting, in theory, is pretty simple. But it can be a bit tricky, especially when you’re first starting out. Add in some black soldier fly larvae friends, and you also add a little bit of complexity, too. Here are some common composting hiccups and troubleshooting tips to help you maintain your royal status as king (or queen) of the mound-tain.
THE HEAT IS... OFF.
Compost that’s too high of a temperature can kill your little soldier dudes, and that’s no bueno. Add in brown materials (dry leaves, cardboard, wood mulch, sawdust, shredded paper, or straw) to lower the temperature. Pause turning your compost until it cools down. If your larvae have died because of too high temps, it’s ok to leave them in the compost bin. If the season is right, you can purchase more black soldier fly larvae here.
IT SMELLS LIKE DEATH UP IN HERE!
Rarely will you find a compost that doesn’t have at least a slight eau de bleh, but a raunchy smelling compost you get a whiff of before you’re standing next to it means something’s off. It could be too moist. Drain any excess water, and add in brown materials to soak up some of the water and balance the moisture content.
A compost pile that smells like ammonia could mean it’s too high in nitrogen. If this is the case, add more carbon-rich materials such as straw, leaves, or shredded materials. You should also aerate your pile once or twice a week by turning it over and spreading the moisture around.
GOL' DARN VARMINT!
Animals love compost. Rats are attracted to the scraps and warmth. Racoons are like garbage disposals and will eat the scraps and your BSFL. Skunks looooove grubs. And bears, well. They can smell a fresh compost miles away. There are a few ways to prevent critters from crawlin’ all over yer compost.
Make sure you have a secure lid. Remember, your compost shouldn’t be air tight (it needs oxygen to break down organic materials and to help regulate the temperature) so make sure there are holes for air to flow.
If you’re using animal product waste, chop it into smaller pieces for faster decomposition, and bury them beneath the surface to help mask any odors.
THERE ARE LOTS OF ADULT BSF FLYING AROUND.
Sweet! That means they consider your compost the creme de la creme of breeding grounds, and want to lay their eggs near your bin. To encourage egg laying in your compost bin, attach a piece of cardboard to the underside of the lid, and ensure there is access. The adults don’t bite, don’t carry disease, and don’t eat your food. They’re like your itty-bitty black backyard buddies.
BRAND NEW TO COMPOSTING WITH BSFL?
Check out our blog on how to set up a compost bin using black soldier fly larvae.