How to avoid problems with your compost :: from Do Something's FoodWise web site

How to avoid problems with your compost

Compost is a living system. Your compost bin is home to billions of microbes such as fungi and bacteria that digest the food you provide them with. As compost is being created the heap becomes hot - the result of the collective body of heat of billions of microbes dining out. The right balance of air, water and food will help them to thrive and speed up the composting process.

Information provided by Moreland City Council.

When it comes to composting there are some common problems and solutions:

Smelly compost

A smelly compost is usually caused by too much moisture and/or lack of oxygen. This can be fixed by mixing in dry (brown) ingredients such as dried leaves, shredded paper or straw. If the problem is due to a lack of oxygen, you can also try turning the pile to push air through.

Compost attracts animals, rodents and flies

Often the cause is simply that the wrong ingredients have been added to your compost. Make sure that you don't add meat, fish, bones, diary products, excess bread, cake or oily or greasy food. You should also ensure that your compost heap is not left open - you can achieve this by covering it with fresh layers of soil, by placing wire mesh on the bottom or by putting a lid on top.

Compost attracts ants

This is caused by compost that is too dry. Luckily, this is easily remedied by adding more moisture or moisture rich ingredients.

Compost attracts white worms

If it's too acidic, you'll sometimes get white worms crawling around your compost heap. You can eliminate this by adding less acidic materials and then adding a handful of lime or wood ash in and mixing well.

Compost takes too long to break down

Wondering why you're compost is taking too long to break down? It's usually down to a lack of nutrients, air and/or moisture. You need to make sure that there are equal amounts of 'browns' and 'greens' in your bin and turn the pile to aerate. It's also important to check the moisture content and add moisture rich materials and water when necessary.