I've had my composter for about 2 months now, and I am noticing slug-type critters crawling outside and inside...is this normal?
1661614
I have seen slugs in the grass but not inside the composter or on it. I tend to keep my compost on the dry side. It is taking longer to finish.
1661615
Critters is good. In July, when my compost production peaked, there were a lot of maggoty insects, flies, and other icky things. You're working with the bottom of the food chain, and it's working it's way up. True, you will eventually want to curb slugs and other critters as you transition to the garden, because they will destroy your plants. Diotomaceous earth will not kill slugs, but it will help motivate them to find a new place to go.
1661616
Agree with Charles. The more life and decay you see in the bin, the better. All these critters are breaking down the organic material into rich compost. They help bring the nutrition back into a usable form of energy for plants. Eventually, you will not want the slugs, but for now, I don't see why not.
1661617
I've had mine for over two years and have never had that. Make sure your compost isn't too wet by adding dried leaves. As others suggested, I also glued in some pipe screens over the big holes to help keep stuff out and keep compost in.
1843208
I stapled it around the upper edge of my raised garden beds as it came off the roll. So far not one slug have I seen in my garden in the last 2 months. Lots of slugs around but none in the garden.
2083422
Yes! I was quite surprised! I had Orkin coming for 4 months and no changes with my little critters, was still seeing them every day. Then I set these things out and after 4 days, I saw no critters again. I have not changed the traps for 5 months, but intend to do so at month 6, just to be safe. So I have been critter free for 5 months and 12 days, so far!UPDATE: I was going to change at 6 months, didn't... thought I would wait and see if I needed to. Well, I am at 9 months now and still no more bugs... I think I will be safe and change them out at 10 months. Already have my order in hand and ready to replace them. Yes! I was quite surprised! I had Orkin coming for 4 months and no changes with my little critters, was still seeing them every day. Then I set these things out and after 4 days, I saw no critters again. I have not changed the traps for 5 months, but intend to do so at month 6, just to be safe. So I have been critter free for 5 months and 12 days, so far!UPDATE: I was going to change at 6 months, didn't... thought I would wait and see if I needed to. Well, I am at 9 months now and still no more bugs... I think I will be safe and change them out at 10 months. Already have my... » Read More Yes! I was quite surprised! I had Orkin coming for 4 months and no changes with my little critters, was still seeing them every day. Then I set these things out and after 4 days, I saw no critters again. I have not changed the traps for 5 months, but intend to do so at month 6, just to be safe. So I have been critter free for 5 months and 12 days, so far!UPDATE: I was going to change at 6 months, didn't... thought I would wait and see if I needed to. Well, I am at 9 months now and still no more bugs... I think I will be safe and change them out at 10 months. Already have my order in hand and ready to replace them. « Show Less
531058
I have two answers, so pick the one you like best :). (1) Maggots, or larvae of any kind, are NORMAL. I don't actually have any in my bin at the moment, but I wouldn't be alarmed if I did. Flies are attracted to decaying material and lay their eggs in it. It's (going all Lion King on you) part of the circle of life. They're helping break up the compost for you. (2) If you don't like the idea of maggots in your compost, yes, being more wet attracts them more. Add more brown material and flies should be less attracted.
51087
I didn't have much luck with growing things this last year. I am not sure if it was the new soil I used or the weather as it didn't matter if it was in my raised beds or not. I have been adding compost this fall and winter so I am hoping I get a better return this next year. I have noticed that the top part of the raised bed has pulled apart. I am hoping I can push it back together. I am not sure why this happened.
355466
I have worms in my compost barrel but I never put worms in my K100 bucket since the food only stays in there 30 days then I transfer to my compost barrel and it really gets hot in there and worms do not like it too hot- will kill them but hey, I never tried it.
14479
Actually, i just dumped compost from my tumbler & found a few good sized red worms who are quite alive in the finished compost. They must be quite hearty creatures. If you want to raise them, use a Sun Joe Worm Farm. They will be happier.
2019497
We did not put worms in our composter, but it sits on the ground and they made their way in. They did not appear affected by the Ringer. I don't know that I would say there was a double effect; more "couldn't hurt, might help."
617919
I have red worms growing in mine without any issues, but I'm not sure. Might be worth asking the manufacturer? Walmart sells it too but I never found any locally which is why I ordered it from Amazon.
1660628
I'm not sure what the rating was on the sf coverage, but it comes on 2 sponges. I actually split the package with my neighbor (they were afraid with 3 dogs I would only drive them out of my yard and into theirs) so between us, we did about 2 acres on the package, as both houses sit on about a 1 acre lot each. We didn't do areas where the dogs never go, so I'd guess a good 1 to 1-1/2 acres was covered. Did them last summer, so far this year, all 5 of our dogs are flea free at this point. They must have feasted all winter long. I also have seen only a few spiders, maybe 1 catepillar, maybe a dozen rolly-pollies, no grubworms at all. It looks as if they had a larvae feast all winter, and we are bug-poor this year - although I'm certainly not complaining about that! If you're "infested" already, you might want to use something strong to knock them back, give that 30 days to get out of the soil so it doesn't kill the nemotodes, and then put them out, and they seem to have really worked around here. I'm about to do my spring maintenance dose in the next week or two. They say about twice a year anyway, spring and late-summer, early fall, to keep them active in your yard. I assume if they eat all the food sources, they'll only move to the neighbors yard. They are actual insects that need to feed, but they do reproduce also. You just need to get and keep them established in your yard.
468538
I haven't had my composter long enough to know. But, thank you for the heads up! I might try to get it 'under cover' before the snow comes.
328134
I live in Colorado where it does get cold, but maybe not as cold as where you live. Nevertheless, I had to buy new worms year 2 because they seemed to die out by early June. I attribute that in part to the cold weather they endured here, but I will also tell you that I know people who have worm composts here that seem to regenerate very well every year. I think that if you keep the factory out of the wind and give the worms plenty of paper and other insulating materials, you might do just fine. After all, they do regenerate in the soil. It's just that you need to provide them with whatever you can to give them a fighting chance. I live in Colorado where it does get cold, but maybe not as cold as where you live. Nevertheless, I had to buy new worms year 2 because they seemed to die out by early June. I attribute that in part to the cold weather they endured here, but I will also tell you that I know people who have worm composts here that seem to regenerate very well every year. I think that if you keep the factory out of the wind and give the worms plenty of paper and other insulating materials, you might do just fine. After all, they do regenerate in the soil. It's just that you need to provide them with whatever... » Read More I live in Colorado where it does get cold, but maybe not as cold as where you live. Nevertheless, I had to buy new worms year 2 because they seemed to die out by early June. I attribute that in part to the cold weather they endured here, but I will also tell you that I know people who have worm composts here that seem to regenerate very well every year. I think that if you keep the factory out of the wind and give the worms plenty of paper and other insulating materials, you might do just fine. After all, they do regenerate in the soil. It's just that you need to provide them with whatever you can to give them a fighting chance. « Show Less
1082476
This is my second composter of the same style. First one lasted about 15 years. Liked it so much I bought another to replace it. I've had it both on the ground and on my driveway. On the ground I had a problem once with a bee inside that flew out and stung me (but not a hive). Never saw signs of any animals, not even raccoons though they occasionally get into our garbage cans. We also have squirrels, chipmunks, have sighted opossums, groundhogs and skunks in our yard but never in the composter. Most composting directions say to avoid adding meat products so that vermin are not attracted.
1856182
Not really sure about your situation, but, being confined to a power chair, Hoveround, I shot a little Iinvict behind my appliances and under the sink. It's like a fishing lure, the bugs found it. I hope this will help and you don't have to move a lot of stuff.
1743519
I personally haven't had a problem with bugs in Swheat Scoop. I have had them in some alfalfa reptile bedding, though. So what I do now, with any organic product like this, is open the bag outdoors, well away from any entrance to the house. If there are any bugs, they should be pretty obvious
586864
I haven't seen roaches since I plugged it in the basement nor mice. Something that IS kind of disappointing were the spiders, they're still in the same place.
2191966
No. I have ants and other critters helping to break down my compost. I live in Florida.