Q. I have been collecting vegetables scraps for the last 6
months for composting but did not have a cover on my bin. I have found
the compost loaded with this bug or worm. Can I use this compost? There
are too many to pick out. I’m afraid if put in soil they will kill plants
but my compost is really good!!
A. This is pretty common in compost. This question is one of the most common
questions asked about composting on my blog.
questions asked about composting on my blog.
Many of
these types of insects feed on decaying foods and composts that are not quite
finished composting. Once the compost is finished they are seldom a problem.
these types of insects feed on decaying foods and composts that are not quite
finished composting. Once the compost is finished they are seldom a problem.
I don’t
know how much compost you are talking about but if it is possible to layer out
the compost the birds will come in and gobble them up.
know how much compost you are talking about but if it is possible to layer out
the compost the birds will come in and gobble them up.
You can cook
them in the sun and they will decompose in your compost. To do it correctly the
compost must be “fluffy” or loose enough to allow the heat to spread through it
evenly.
them in the sun and they will decompose in your compost. To do it correctly the
compost must be “fluffy” or loose enough to allow the heat to spread through it
evenly.
Spread the
compost in a layer several inches thick. It should be slightly moist but not
wet. Cover it with a clear plastic drop cloth and hold it in place with some
nails or staples. The edges of the plastic must be sealed so no heat escapes.
compost in a layer several inches thick. It should be slightly moist but not
wet. Cover it with a clear plastic drop cloth and hold it in place with some
nails or staples. The edges of the plastic must be sealed so no heat escapes.
Hold it in
place with some rocks, blocks or bricks so it does not blow away. Leave it in
direct sunlight for about two weeks. The temperature will get hot enough to
kill most of the insects.
place with some rocks, blocks or bricks so it does not blow away. Leave it in
direct sunlight for about two weeks. The temperature will get hot enough to
kill most of the insects.
Maybe pupa of cutworm or armyworm? Pupa is the transitional stage
between larva or worm and the adult. In these cases moths.
between larva or worm and the adult. In these cases moths.
The adults are moths that you will see flying around your porch light at night. As a kid we used to call them “Miller moths”. Kind of dusty, maybe an inch across. They used to fly right into the light and sometimes get “fried”. When you see these moths, the eggs they laid will hatch in a few days and it is time to put down some Bt sprays or dusts on your vegetable garden.
Posting for Amy….
Hey Bob,
The weird larvae in the last post are black soldier fly larvae…… Really big and awful looking. Sometimes Gerry like dead flesh, and yeah, are the consumers of flesh and manures. Used commercially for fast clean up of large scale waste like pig manure. They do not spread disease our contains, and while looking scary, are a fabulous digester in compost bins. Usually found in worm bins where they unfortunately out -compete the worms.
Ran into this last year. …. an accidental but beneficial helper.
Hope to see you around!
Amy Z
More on the soldier fly…..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermetia_illucens
I'm confused, are these worms good, bad or helpful? I have hundreds in my compost.
It depends on your point of view. If you are interested in composting they can be good. Their presence helps to break things down. But if you are concerned about plants in your landscape, sometimes they are bad. Keep an eye on your plants and know which ones are most susceptible to these critters.
Always wait for compost to finish before using it and this will not be a problem.