Troubleshooting
| Problem |
Possible Causes
|
Solution |
| Odors | May be too wet or may have too much green (nitrogen) or clumps of green | Turn your pile. Too much moisture can create odor problems and slow the composting process. Turn the pile and add dry browns i.e., leaves, sawdust, straw or newspaper. |
| Flies | Exposed food | Fruit flies are attracted to food scraps that are exposed on top of a pile. Always put your food waste in the middle of the pile and bury it into a few inches of brown material i.e., leaves or shredded newspaper. |
| Pile will not heat up |
Pile is too small
Pile is too dry Lack of greens (nitrogen) |
Add more material
Add water and turn Add grass clippings, manure or food scraps |
| Pests i.e. raccoons, rats | Exposed food especially meat, poultry, fish or fatty scraps |
Turn pile to increase temperature or cover food with leaves, sawdust or soil. Always bury food a few inches down in the center of the pile.
Keep all lids fastened or weighted down. Line the bottom of the bin with a small mesh wire if you suspect rodents are entering through the bottom. |
