Killing insects in compost-pile?

Carl Ponder

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Nov 1, 1994, 10:30:16 AM11/1/94

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I turned my compost-pile for the first time in 6 months, there was some
high-grade mulch on the bottom but I was disappointed to see a lot of
cockroaches run out. Cockroaches are enough of a problem here in Texas
that I hate to be breeding them this close to the house.

It would seem kind of stupid to treat the pile with insecticides, or
even boric acid since I'd have to continue the treatments and then
spread it across my lawn (and eventually into the aquifer, etc.).

My dad suggested that I put nitrates into the pile to "heat it up"
by accelerating the bacterial activity; the bacteria would take out
the bugs during this stage. I don't think this would be very effective
because I only add a little waste to the pile at a time, so even if
I could "burn it" once, it would probably be "cool" for several months
before I would do it again.

Is there some kind of fungus (or other parasite) that I could innoculate
the pile with, that would attack the insects or their larvae? I have
heard of using this kind of treatment with soil, and I would imagine
that it would be even MORE effective in a compost-heap since the fungus
would have more food available. And if it exists, where can I get some?

Thanks in advance,

Carl Ponder
pon...@ibmoto.com

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Anke Kamrath,,

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Nov 2, 1994, 11:07:48 AM11/2/94

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In article j...@speedy.ibmoto.com, pon...@ibmoto.com (Carl Ponder) writes:
>I turned my compost-pile for the first time in 6 months, there was some
>high-grade mulch on the bottom but I was disappointed to see a lot of
>cockroaches run out. Cockroaches are enough of a problem here in Texas
>that I hate to be breeding them this close to the house.
>

I too am having problems with insects in my compost heap(maggots rather
than cockroaches). My compost heap is in one of those black plastic boxes
and I keep it covered (however some flies must have snuck in).

Any suggestions on how to get rid of this problem?

Rob King

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Nov 2, 1994, 10:34:00 PM11/2/94

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pon...@ibmoto.com (Carl Ponder) wrote:

P>I turned my compost-pile for the first time in 6 months, there was some

>high-grade mulch on the bottom but I was disappointed to see a lot of
>cockroaches run out. Cockroaches are enough of a problem here in Texas
>that I hate to be breeding them this close to the house.

chances are these are wood roaches that are eating the fungus in your
compost... actually, they're most likely helping your composting. They
are different from the common <house breeding> German cockroach, which I
remember all too well from my Texas experience years ago. If they
bother you, mixing more dirt with your compost should take care of 'em.

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Aris Papachristou

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Nov 12, 1994, 4:22:21 PM11/12/94

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>I too am having problems with insects in my compost heap(maggots rather
>than cockroaches). My compost heap is in one of those black plastic boxes
>and I keep it covered (however some flies must have snuck in).

>Any suggestions on how to get rid of this problem?

Insects found in compost heaps should not be a nuissance if one maintains
aerobic
conditions. If you have lots of flies, it could mean that your heap is
in
an anaerobic condition. So, just aerate it by turning it over more
frequently.