adding worms to compost bin on concrete?

[Superh]

Started my compost bin last october. Its doing alright, and i have a lot of stuff inside. I have never seen it steaming however, but it does get warm. It seems slow, and i think it may be because it's on cocrete and no worms or other insects are getting inside. only a mass of flies.

Seeing as its on concrete and there is no soil for at least 4 feet around it, would it be worth adding my own worms to it? I have found a good deal for them online.

I am only worried about the heat killing them(but i'm sure they would escape to the lower regions of the bin to keep cool) and breaking the worms when i turn the pile with a fork.

[WendyC]

I have my compost bins on slabs as we have had rat issues in the past. The worms just find their way there. If you do decide to add worms it's worth remembering it is red compost or brandling worms you want not earthworms. I think fishing shops sell them or wormery companies like wiggly wiggkers.

[Superh]

Found a deal for 500 red/tigers on ebay for £8! Might look at the local, i guess it's nice helping them stay in business if the price is right.

[WendyC]

That's sort you need. Something slightly funny about worms in the post. I imagine them escaping, like that film "Snakes on the Plane".

[roitelet]

If you have loads of flies I would suggest that the compost is too wet. Add some 'brown' stuff to it like newspaper cardboard or the like. Guve it a good stir up and it should get going. They don't heat up much during the winter. The wormd will find their own way there and you shouldn't have to buy any. Just think how many packets of seeds £8 will buy!

[taff]

WHy don't you move it 4 ft?
I'm in the dont-bother-buying-any-they'll-find-their-own-way-in brigade.....

[Two_Sheds]

You shouldn't have flies in it. I have two bins full of dog poo, and they don't have flies.

You need to cover the decomposing material with something: grass clippings, shredded paper etc.

In future, wrap your peelings in a sheet of newspaper before adding them to the bin

[Superh]

You shouldn't have flies in it. I have two bins full of dog poo, and they don't have flies.

You need to cover the decomposing material with something: grass clippings, shredded paper etc.

In future, wrap your peelings in a sheet of newspaper before adding them to the bin

Its in a wood bin made of pallets, has a carpet on the top. there has to be a few thousand flies. granted i do have clippings on the top layer. I'll try laying down some paper.

[Two_Sheds]

Are they fruit flies?

Or some other thing?

[Superh]

look like fruit flies and gnats. very small

[taff]

your compost isn't doing very well aerobically speaking then.

I'd turn it all out and start adding more browns to it, scrunch up cardboard rather than newspaper. Create more air pockets and make it less moist.

[rustylady]

Started my compost bin last october. Its doing alright, and i have a lot of stuff inside. I have never seen it steaming however, but it does get warm. It seems slow, and i think it may be because it's on cocrete and no worms or other insects are getting inside. only a mass of flies.

Seeing as its on concrete and there is no soil for at least 4 feet around it, would it be worth adding my own worms to it? I have found a good deal for them online.

I am only worried about the heat killing them(but i'm sure they would escape to the lower regions of the bin to keep cool) and breaking the worms when i turn the pile with a fork.

What "stuff" do you have in your compost bin?

Compost always works slower during the winter months.

You're no more likely to break worms by turning your compost than you are to break them when digging open ground.

[Two_Sheds]

look like fruit flies and gnats. very small

Yes, your compost is too wet. You need to add as much "browns" as you do "greens" to achieve the right balance.
Seriously, you shouldn't have clouds of flies. I get the odd one or two, even in the dog poo bins, they like to lay their eggs in soft damp nitrogen-rich stuff (kitchen waste, poop).
Bury the wet stuff under a layer of soil, shredded paper, grass clippings or something. The flies can't lay eggs in "browns". Wrap your kitchen scraps in newspaper parcels.

[Currysniffa]

Wrap your kitchen scraps in newspaper parcels.

This is a great tip that 2sheds is sharing. She told me this a couple of years ago and I've been doing it this way ever since. I even passed the tip onto our local council's recycling team when they visited my sons school.

And btw I didn't take the credit 2sheds I said it was from a lady called 2sheds on the grapevine.

[Superh]

~I have been adding lots of kitchen scraps, Grass clippings and many leaves when i started it. I did recently go and buy some Wood cat litter pellets to add more browns to it. i read they are a great thing to add to the compost. I even added to much not anticipating how much they would expand when wet. I also add newspaper sometimes.

How often should i turn the pile? been doing it maybe 1 time a week or less.

The pile is pretty wet to. not soaking, mind you. I wil now start adding a lot more newspaper and will wrap my scraps in them. thanks for the tip.

Ps i also remembered that i tend to give the pile a good soaking every time i add lots of carbon. maybe this is what i am doing wrong?