My compost heap has got infected with maggots. Any tips on how to kill them?
Will a smoke bomb work? A bucket of bleach?

Also, how do you stop them coming back? I only put vegetable matter in the
heap, so was rather surprised to get an infestation.

On Thu, 26 Jun 2003 17:41:14 +0200, Ric wrote:

My compost heap has got infected with maggots. Any tips on how to kill
them?
Will a smoke bomb work? A bucket of bleach?

Also, how do you stop them coming back? I only put vegetable matter in
the
heap, so was rather surprised to get an infestation.

There are enough maggots that live in plant matter.
It sounds like your heap is a bit too wet? Tim.

My compost heap has got infected with maggots. Any tips on how to kill
them?
Will a smoke bomb work? A bucket of bleach?

Also, how do you stop them coming back? I only put vegetable matter in the
heap, so was rather surprised to get an infestation.

They occur when the temperature of the compost doesn't get high enough and
also sometimes when it is too wet. I wouldn't worry about them. Adding
bleach etc will just poison the compost. If you have access to lawn
clippings - mix a good quantity into the heap and the temperature will go
high enough to kill off any unwanted flies and maggots.

--
Drakanthus.


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"Tim" wrote in message
newsprrdsygs3wxhha1@localhost...
On Thu, 26 Jun 2003 17:41:14 +0200, Ric wrote:

My compost heap has got infected with maggots. Any tips on how to kill
them?
Will a smoke bomb work? A bucket of bleach?

Also, how do you stop them coming back? I only put vegetable matter in
the
heap, so was rather surprised to get an infestation.

There are enough maggots that live in plant matter.
It sounds like your heap is a bit too wet? Tim.

Yes I did wet it down once. I live in south of France and it was so dry I
thought some water would help it decompose. Obviously not a good idea! There
is lots of heat in the compost - I don't think it can really get much
hotter.

On Thu, 26 Jun 2003 18:40:39 +0200, Ric wrote:


"Tim" wrote in message
newsprrdsygs3wxhha1@localhost...
On Thu, 26 Jun 2003 17:41:14 +0200, Ric wrote:

My compost heap has got infected with maggots. Any tips on how to kill
them?
Will a smoke bomb work? A bucket of bleach?

Also, how do you stop them coming back? I only put vegetable matter in
the
heap, so was rather surprised to get an infestation.

There are enough maggots that live in plant matter.
It sounds like your heap is a bit too wet? Tim.

Yes I did wet it down once. I live in south of France and it was so dry I
thought some water would help it decompose. Obviously not a good idea!
There
is lots of heat in the compost - I don't think it can really get much
hotter.

Well, I really doubt if it was too wet then, going by my experience of the
SoF. Fly maggots can grow very fast, and you'd only need a short period of
excess moisture to allow them to hatch and grow.
Tim.