Maggots in Compost

[sillylucy]

How do you guys prevent maggots from being in your compost? I wanted to compost three peaches I bought from a market that were pretty bruised up, but they rotted so fast and I was scared maggots were going to be in my compost. Any ideas?

 

[ChrisL]

You don't have much to fear if your compost is located outdoors. If you're doing vermicompost (worm bin) and it's located indoors, I would NOT put anything in that was a) old or b) from an unknown source

 

[Chuck]

Many times you will see what look like maggots but are not maggots at all, they are the larvae of the soldier fly and are very beneficial in the decomposing process of plant materials.

 

[granjera]

Aren't maggots the larva of flies?

 

[Chuck]

Aren't maggots the larva of flies?

Yes, but there are many kinds of flies. What we normally think of maggots are the type that eat decomposing flesh, but most do not eat flesh. Some eat fresh fruit such as apples and peaches. Others like the soldier fly only feed on dead decomposing plant material. Others actually feed on living flesh of caterpillars. All maggots are not created equal.

 

[Fernsdaddy]

I've never had maggots in my compost, but I do get ants in my compost bins, but a good hard rain get rid of them.

 

[remnant]

Make an effort to cover your compost with a polythene sheet. This will contain the heat produced by the compost by preventing it from escaping to the atmosphere and its enough to kill the maggots which will subsequently rot to enrich the compost. Addition of tobacco grounds which is an organic pesticide would also help as well as addition of slaked lime which increases the alkalinity.

 

[AntonioCalcano]

Maggots are usually harmless you shouldn't worry that much. You can cover the place from time to time but it wouldn't be the best way to go since your plants would suffer a bit. I would leave the maggots as they are and use some pesticide in the place. Most plants don't need special protection against maggots or anything.

 

[kgord]

I keep all my compost covered,in a bin so I haven't had that issue, but I also don't tend to use organic matter from the house so I don't think maggots are attracted much to my lawn clippings. They prefer odiferous food substances from what I can see. I think great suggestions have been presented on here though as to how to treat the compost area.

 

[UrbanWild]

I have black soldier fly maggots in my compost piles and I LOVE them. They process large waste and quickly. I consider them huge allies here. Sometimes when uncovered the robins consider them huge buffets as well!!!

 

[Fernsdaddy]

I have black soldier fly maggots in my compost piles and I LOVE them. They process large waste and quickly. I consider them huge allies here. Sometimes when uncovered the robins consider them huge buffets as well!!!

The Robins,Blue jays and other birds love to hang out around my compost pile. Its free food and they will keep the unwanted bug out of my gardens.