Bugs in Compost: Identify the Good and the Bad

Author: Emma Grace Crumbley, Entomologist

Whether you're thinking of starting a compost or you've been composting for a while, it's important to understand the types of bugs hanging out around your compost pile. Not all compost critters are bad to have around – many insects and arthropods help break down food scraps and assist in the decomposition process that turns organic waste into rich soil amendments. However, some pests might be indicators that your compost is too wet, too dry, or needs some maintenance. 

What is compost?

Compost is a soil amendment you can add to the dirt in your garden, lawn, or flower beds to restore rich nutrients to the earth. Composting is also a sustainable way to recycle kitchen waste and yard clippings instead of throwing them away. When organic waste, like food scraps, lawn trimmings, or compost-grade biodegradable plastics, breaks down over time, compost is created. To keep your compost from smelling and encourage the decomposition process, a good compost pile needs heat, air flow, water, and an even combination of nitrogen-rich elements (“greens” like food scraps) and carbon-rich elements (“browns” like woodchips).

Good Bugs

Almost all bugs are beneficial to find in your compost. Critters like grubs, snails, millipedes, and worms are decomposers that eat organic scraps and help speed up the decomposition process. Other arthropods, like earwigs, isopods, and crickets, are omnivorous and will also feed on compost pile scraps.

Bad Bugs

While almost any bug you find in your pile is helping speed up the compost process, some insects may indicate there are issues with your compost:

•           Flies (Compost is too wet): Flies and mosquitoes thrive in moist environments. Flies prefer moist organic material to lay their eggs and feed on, while mosquitoes seek oversaturated soils and standing pools of water. If you notice lots of flies or start seeing mosquitoes near your compost, it's probably a sign that your pile is too wet. Adding more dry browns, like leaf litter or paper, can help fix this issue
• Ants (Compost is too dry): On the flip side, sometimes a compost pile needs more moisture. Ants typically thrive in drier environments, so seeing ants trailing in or around your pile likely indicates more moisture is needed. This can be achieved by adding more wet greens to the pile, like fruits and veggies, or by watering the top of the pile and turning it.
• Termites (Compost may need structural maintenance): If your pile is built on a wood platform or in a wooden bin system, it's entirely possible to see termites. Though termites may help chew through the woody elements of your compost heap, over time they can also weaken your system's structure. Removing infested wood pieces and adding non-wood building materials, such as stone, gravel, or cement blocks, can help reduce and prevent termite presence while still providing a structure for your compost.
• Roaches (Compost needs to be turned): The hottest part of the compost pile is usually in the middle, where temperatures can reach above 100°F. These high temperatures speed up decomposition, but they are too hot for insects. On the outermost parts of the compost heap, where temperatures are cooler, insects are found crawling around eating. If you begin to see an abundance of insects on the surface of the compost, especially cockroaches, it's time to turn your compost pile. Moving the pile around helps ensure all elements in the pile experience the high heat in the center, discouraging roaches and other scavenger insects from hanging out in the pile.

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