Content
- Maggots in compost - How can this be prevented?
- Maggots and larvae in compost - where do they come from?
- Fight maggots in compost
- Thoroughly sift the compost before use
- Prevent maggots in compost
- Tips
Maggots in compost are not a good sign
Maggots in compost - How can this be prevented?
If there are thick white maggots in the compost, this is disgusting for some gardeners. However, maggots are not only an aesthetic problem, they also indicate a wrong filling of the compost. How to combat maggots in compost and prevent infestation.
Maggots and larvae in compost - where do they come from?
The term maggots hides a large variety of different insect species. These include flies and all beetle species.
These lay their eggs in the compost. There they first develop into maggots and pupate later to larvae.
While flies are primarily just a nuisance, beetles can be a real threat to the garden - especially if they occur frequently.
Fight maggots in compost
Larger maggots can be read out by hand or raised with the spade and then destroyed. If the infestation is very severe, cover the compost with a thicker layer of dry material. For example, foliage and grass clippings are suitable. As a result, the air circulation is suppressed and the maggots go in.
Make sure that the compost is kept dry, as the maggots dry out as well.
You should abstain from using means such as quicklime, vinegar and salt and other home remedies for the sake of garden health. They do more harm than good.
Thoroughly sift the compost before use
If you have discovered thick white maggots in the compost heap, you should sift the compost well before spreading it in the garden. The maggots are filtered out and can be fed to birds, for example.
Prevent maggots in compost
Prevention is not always possible. Above all, beetles such as rose beetles, cockchafer or leaf-beetle lay their eggs in compost, where they grow into maggots.
On the other hand, you can prevent an attack by fly maggots by properly filling the compost. Do not compost animal waste such as:
Tips
Before placing garden waste on the compost, check it for possible pests, maggots and larvae. Especially with roots, there is a risk that you will drag the dangerous weevil on the compost.