COMPOSTING - Common composting problems

Materials are not decomposing

Heap too small - Increase size of heap
Not enough heat due to lack of green materials or water - Add green materials (eg, manure or blood and bone) and water
Materials in heap are too large - Break materials down into small pieces

Pests attracted to heap eg, flies, cockroaches, rats, mice

Wrong food added - Don’t use meat/bones/ fish. Bury food scraps in centre of heap
Bin not rodent proof - Rodent proof your bin

Fruit flies (vinegar flies)

Heap is too acidic - Sprinkle lime on heap

Ants

Heap is too dry - Add water and lime

Other “mini-beasts”, eg, beetles, worms

This is not a problem – creatures are essential to the composting process. Appreciate the work they do!