Anyone compost? I need help!

quarterpast

I started a compost bin about 2 months ago. I added dirt, worms, and just scraps of veggies, breads, some fruit...I turn it over from time to time...but now there is just a strong, awful smell coming from the bin and lots of insects are being attracted to it! Is this normal?

drtyfrnk29

So you're wondering if insects being drawn to dirt, rotten food and worms is normal?

AmentsChick

It's gonna stink. Stuff is rotting.

quarterpast

drtyfrnk29 wrote:

So you're wondering if insects being drawn to dirt, rotten food and worms is normal?

It's an abnormal amount of stink and insects...half my yard smells like the compost bin as well as part of my neighbor's yard...and it's hard to get anything new in without getting swarmed by insects.
I'm not a complete idiot

MyHandsBound

why are you doing this????

quarterpast

MyHandsBound wrote:

why are you doing this????

Because I only have to put one trash can down to the curb every other week. Plus, I grow a garden and compost is the best kind of fertilizer.

norm

is this in some sort of container? if so, put a lid on it

kinetic

I've done composting for years and my best guess is there's something dead in your compost pile. The smell and insects make me think so, because it should barely smell at all.

You may just need to chuck it out and start over.

dawng

It sounds as if you may have too much kitchen waste and not enough yard waste (leaves, branches, grass clippings, etc.). Or it could be that you're not turning it enough. Also - are you doing a worm bin or compost? What you're describing sounds a bit more like a worm bin.

good luck!

stuckinline

here are some good guidelines:


Kitchen Refuse includes melon rinds, carrot peelings, tea bags, apple cores, banana peels - almost everything that cycles through your kitchen. The average household produces more than 200 pounds of kitchen waste every year. You can successfully compost all forms of kitchen waste. However, meat, meat products, dairy products, and high-fat foods like salad dressings and peanut butter, can present problems. Meat scraps and the rest will decompose eventually, but will smell bad and attract pests. Egg shells are a wonderful addition, but decompose slowly, so should be crushed. All additions to the compost pile will decompose more quickly if they are chopped up some before adding.


http://www.compostguide.com/

drtyfrnk29

quarterpast wrote:

It's an abnormal amount of stink and insects...half my yard smells like the compost bin as well as part of my neighbor's yard...and it's hard to get anything new in without getting swarmed by insects.
I'm not a complete idiot

Ah man, I would never call someone an idiot. Just having a bit of fun. I wish I could help but I'm not very handy. Unless sarcasm wards off insects

roar

So this is food scraps compost? Make a worm bin! Otherwise, you'll attract rodents and bugs and stank.

We've made a worm bin before using the design from Seattle Tilth. Find it here: http://www.seattletilth.org/resources/compost

If you maintain it properly, it should be odorless. good luck.

MyHandsBound

quarterpast wrote:

Because I only have to put one trash can down to the curb every other week. Plus, I grow a garden and compost is the best kind of fertilizer.

I'm learning:)

FinsburyParkCarrots

Turn it more regularly and add straw, wood shavings, dry leaves or chips of wood. If you're adding food material to your compost, keep it deep in the pile, and the flies will go away.