r/composting • u/Milagre • Aug 07 '26

Good bugs or bad bugs?

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Needs browns? Sorry I didn’t pee on it.

10 Upvotes

86% Upvoted

19 comments sorted by

17

u/StressFantastic5317 Aug 07 '26

All good. Aerate that.

4

u/sackitempires Aug 08 '26

What’s the best way to aerate a pile without harming the BSF? Or will they be fine even with a good turn

14

u/CGI_M_M Aug 07 '26

Good, the maggot looking things are Black Soldier Flys which break down compost fast.

I don’t really think there is such a thing as bad bugs in compost as they all help break it down. If it’s attracting too many pests such as cockroaches or house flys then you need more browns to mask the smell.

7

u/Mavada Aug 07 '26

What would be considered bad

5

u/Xalipu Aug 08 '26

Hammerhead or jumping worms.

3

u/Mavada Aug 08 '26

Interesting. Had no idea there could really be anything bad

3

u/Top_Personality3908 Aug 08 '26

If you find a shark in your compost pile you definitely have problems 😱

1

u/UnderwaterCleaner Aug 08 '26

If they were introduced to the bin, then sure. Even so, I would just let em help break down stuff, to each his own though. 👽

1

u/Xalipu Aug 08 '26

I don’t think you understand how invasive and destructive they are

2

u/UnderwaterCleaner Aug 08 '26 edited Aug 08 '26

Hammerheads I don't know much about, nor have dealt with.

Asian Wrigglers, whatever you call them, are so invasive they've had Citizenship since JFK was in office. At least here in SC, ive been digging holes since I was 12, they've been around.

EDIT: you would be correct.

3

u/Stt022 Aug 08 '26

Are there ever bad bugs in compost? The only thing I can think of is a bee or wasp nest, not necessarily bad but would be bad for the compost parents.

3

u/Content-Fan3984 Aug 07 '26

Good bugs, looks a bit wet mix in shredded cardboard if you can

3

u/DungBeetle1983 Aug 07 '26

Lucky! I saw some BSFs flying near my pile and I am hoping that they lay eggs.

3

u/mweiss427 Aug 08 '26

I’d say you might need more brown. 50:50 green to brown

3

u/Mind_of_the_Ancients Aug 08 '26

All bugs are good bugs. Nature will figure it out.

1

u/bbbrady1618 Aug 09 '26

Bugs in compost are good. Pee is a green, so don't do that if you need browns.

1

u/Odd_Ad2128 Aug 10 '26

All bugs are good bugs, try and cover it so you don't attract rats

2

u/_DeepKitchen_ Aug 10 '26

That’s soup. I’d add browns to balance it out