Bugs in the compost bin

[Kimbo]

I have just emptied out some of the compost from my two compost bins started last year. There are a lot of woodlice in there, a few snails (which have been despatched to the birdie buffet (luckily no sign of eggs) and a few multi legged insects. Is this compost ok to use on earthing up my pots? ie will the woodlice/other bugs do any damage? also should I leave it open to the world (ie birds) to help themselves to any of the bugs to make sure they dont get into my spuds.

[SueA]

Kimbo I would think most of the bugs will have one a runner now that you have disturbed them but they shouldn't do any harm. You could try sieving the compost before you use it through a large sieve or old colander & throwing any bugs you find out for the birds, also leaving the cover off as you say for a little while will make the bugs move on to somewhere warmer or the birds will get them.

[eskymo]

I had the same problem earlier this year when I wanted to use the compost from my bin that had been brewing for a year or so. It looked totally infested with creatures. I posted a thread up here and was advised to leave the compost pile totally uncovered [i have a plastic bin] and open to the elements. The birds would take what they wanted and the cold temperatures would kill off anything else. I didn't use the compost for pots though as I thought it would be too strong and kill the plants. I dug it into some newly made raised borders and the plants in them are now doing great.

I would do what SueA suggests and sift through the compost - this will help aerate it and thin out any large clumps, but also allow you to pick out any bugs, or for them to wander off by themselves.

It might take a bit of time though.

I want to invest in one of those rotaseive thingy's but don't fancy forking out over £40 for one as I'm skint.

[Kimbo]

Kimbo I would think most of the bugs will have one a runner now that you have disturbed them but they shouldn't do any harm. You could try sieving the compost before you use it through a large sieve or old colander & throwing any bugs you find out for the birds, also leaving the cover off as you say for a little while will make the bugs move on to somewhere warmer or the birds will get them.

Thanks for that - I will be off to the pound shop to get myself a colander just for gardening.