is it OK to have small flies and slugs in my compost bin?

Answer 1

Slugs and snails generally feed on living plant material but will attack fresh garbage and plant debris and will therefore appear in the compost heap. (Better there where you can find and kill them than in the garden. I dump them in soapy water.)

During the early stages of the composting process, flies provide ideal airborne transportation for bacteria on their way to the pile. Flies spend their larval phase in compost as maggots, which do not survive thermophilic temperatures the bacteria and fungi digestion creates . Adult flies feed upon organic vegetation.

In small-scale backyard compost piles, soil invertebrates are likely to contribute to the decomposition process. Together with bacteria, fungi, and other microbes, these organisms make up a complex food web or energy pyramid with primary, secondary, and tertiary level consumers. The base of the pyramid, or energy source, is made up of organic matter including plant and animal residues.

Many kinds of worms, including earthworms, nematodes, red worms and potworms eat decaying vegetation and microbes and excrete organic compounds that enrich compost. Their tunneling aerates the compost, and their feeding increases the surface area of organic matter for microbes to act upon. As each decomposer dies or excretes, more food is added to web for other decomposers.

The bacteria-fungus stage are the primary consumers, organisms that eat organic residues. This process generates the heat. This is part of the overall breakdown cycle. Proteins, carbohydrates, and other compounds are broken down by bacteria into amino acids, ammonia, simple sugars' organic acids, and carbon dioxide. The buildup cycle proceeds with fungi, which eagerly ingest the free ammonia and rebuild amino acids in their mycelia. This stage is characterised by the generation of much heat, given off by energy liberated during the metabolism of thermophilic organisms. The bacteria eat their way into the centre of the pile, and are followed immediately by the whitish mycelia of the fungi which absorb the gases given off. This stage drives out the larger denizens of the compost pile and kills most weed seeds.

Answer 2

Perhaps you should reply to MH who wants to make a compost "box" to show them your dilema. The answer to your question is that it is normal and expected! You will never rid yourself of the pest with a compost pile/bin.
Since you are into composting I will assume you are organic in nature. If this is the case you can solve your problem of the flies by spraying a mixture of 1tbls per gallon of Pure Ivory Soap over and around the pile. You use a Hose-End Sprayer and the effect will be immediate. If you are for some chemicals, an application of Sevin in either liquid or gran. would do the trick. Frankly, I would use the Ivory soap and leave the slugs alone. Turning the pile will rid you of them anyway. Good Luck with your project.

Answer 3

Yes, thats natural, what I do is throw a few slug pellets in, Idont like the idea of spreading slugs about, when I empty the bin

Answer 4

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Answer 5

Yes,

but make sure Aunt Betty is covered with a good layer of leaves and grass, at least through the summer months.

Answer 6

elevate the lid and step lower back rapidly earlier they get close on your face. Flies are inevitible in compost boxes. purely as long as its far sufficient out of your place, it shouldnt be a difficulty.

Answer 7

Find some worms and put them in, they will turn over the soil. Get rid of the slugs, throw em over your neighbours if they are anything like mine.

Answer 8

both of these will appear if your compost it too wet.

Answer 9

Yes, they love it.