Common Compost Problems and Solutions
|
|
| Symptom | Problem | Solution |
| Fruit flies in your composter | - Kitchen scraps are not covered |
- Bury the scraps into the compost - Cover compost pile with leaves |
| Compost pile has an odour |
- If it smells like rotten eggs it is because it is not getting enough air
- If it smells like ammonia it has too much nitrogen (grass clippings or vegetable clippings) Pile is too wet - If it is damp and sweet smelling it is because there is a lack of green wastes (grass clippings and vegetable clippings) |
- Turn, poke or stir the compost pile, then cover with a thin layer of soil
- Add brown leaves, turn the pile and cover with a thin layer of soil - Add green organic wastes, turn the pile and cover with a thin layer of soil |
| Pile is dry throughout | - Not enough water or too much woody material |
- Turn and moisten the material
- Add fresh organic waste - Cover the pile with a thin layer of soil |
| Compost pile is damp and warm only in the middle | - Pile is too small |
- Collect more organic materials
- Mix the old ingredients into a new pile |
| Pest infestation – rodents |
- Improper food scraps added
- Rodent has nested in the pile seeking warmth during colder months. |
- Do not add meat, dairy, fat bones or other animal wastes
- Turn the pile to release excess heat |
