compost slugs!

[starbright]

wasnt quite sure where to post this. sorry if its in the wrong place.

i got my self a composter about 4 weeks ago now its huge and i have it nearly half full already but its absolutly full of slugs is this a problem? will it still turn in to compost? how do i get rid of them??

also everytime i open the lid a swarm of fleas fly out.

going green isnt really as easy as i thought it would be.

lisa

[Digger-07]

The flies are probably harmless fruit flies. When you start composting you need time to allow all the miny beasts to get to the right levels. It may take a few months for everything to settle down but keep going it's well worth the effort.

The slugs will actually eat the stuff you are putting in the compost and help to break it down, some people worry about reintroducing them back into the garden but I've never noticed a great problem. I don't bother with them and eventually they will reach a level that they would normally be in nature.

Worms and other critters that are really useful to the compost heap will have started to mve in and the process will be well underway now.

Don't put too much of any one type of thing into the compost and try to mix greens and browns to kleep the heap healthy. If you can give the heap a stir every month to mix stuff up and get air to the bacteria to speed things up. Mixing and air help but compost will be made if you don't do either.

Good luck with it and keep us all posted.

[starbright]

thanks digger thats great new so pleased i dont have to spend hours every day lifting dlugs out. i will get my husband to give it a stir i find it really hard just lifting the lid of as i hate creepy crawlys especially slugs.
my husband thinks he will be the one putting all the rotten veg in the bin when it doesnt turn to compost but im pritty hopeful it will!!

lisa

[rustylady]

Making compost requires all sorts of beasties. Plant material doesn't just rot down on it's own. Slugs, snails and worms eat green stuff, digest it and excrete the remains. Woodlice, ants etc also will invade your heap, but they do no harm - they all serve a useful purpose. Just make sure your heap doesn't get too wet or too dry, mix it occasionally and don't be squeamish. You should end up with really good compost.