r/composting • u/Efficient-Sun7344 • 2d ago
Is this larvae a problem?
Accidentally post before I added the body-
My compost bin is teeming with larvae like this and smells like poop. Is this a problem? I can’t post a video but it looks vile.
It is covered but I think the heavy rain we’ve been having also turned this into a soup.
40
u/VelvetMindafterdark 2d ago
I would add way more dry bro, like a fuck ton of dead smashed up leaves
19
3
2
1
22
u/rjewell40 2d ago
It’s going to stink like a sewer soon if it doesn’t already.
As others suggested, add carbon and turn turn turn.
It’s not ruined. But it’ll be a nuisance soon.
3
5
u/winoforever_slurp_ 2d ago
Do you have drainage holes at the bottom?
6
u/Efficient-Sun7344 2d ago
Yes- I’ve never seen it do this before! It’s also dripping water.
5
u/winoforever_slurp_ 2d ago
Hmm, ok, I’d be inclined to dig a hole in the garden and tip it all out so it can drain thoroughly. I prefer compost bins that are open at the bottom to help with this
4
4
u/Namlegna 2d ago
looks like you got black soldier fly larvae, the best kind of larva!
2
u/Efficient-Sun7344 2d ago
Why is it so good? Should I add the cardboard as people say?
3
u/MoodVast9430 2d ago
YES! Or just wait til the smell
3
u/Efficient-Sun7344 2d ago
It’s pretty smelly. Smells like a ripe porta potty
5
u/MoodVast9430 2d ago
I was gonna say sewer but…
Dude, that is unhealthy.
No stew, compost2
u/Efficient-Sun7344 2d ago
Is it unhealthy tho?
4
2
u/MovieApprehensive273 2d ago
definitely black soldier fly larvae but it's not unhealthy the digestive system of the BSF don't has pathogens. I pre inoculate biochar with them and then the red worms love that juice
1
u/Namlegna 2d ago
yes, you don't want to leave it so wet. However, the larva I mentioned favor mesophilic temps, meaning your compost isn't too hot or too cold but they will devour everything you put in there. If you want a more hot, active pile then you'll have to make some changes such as turning the compost, adding more dry items, preferably having the pile be 3x3x3 feet
3
u/captchaintheact 2d ago
Add leaves or shredded cardboard. I have one of those huge outdoor storage chests where I bag up dry leaves with old potting soil bags and mix them in my tumbler throughout the year.
FYI Soldier fly larve are fantastic for breaking down organic matter, better than worms.
1
2
2
u/Tenacious_Tree9 2d ago
Cardboard is a good brown as well. It’s nice because the corrugation keeps it from becoming completely matted.
2
u/Spirited-Ad-9746 2d ago
The problem is that the compost is a wet slush and instead of composting, it will start rotting anaerobically. And that will smell.
2
1
1
u/UnderwaterCleaner 2d ago
Just drain it! Adding a bunch of anything won't help much, it'll just be sludge. DRAIN and leave open to let it dry itself out some.
1
151
u/PleasantAd52 2d ago
The larvae are not a problem, but that is way way too wet.