Keep Pests Out of Your Compost: Bugs, Rodents & Raccoons

Some bugs are fine. Swarms and mammals? Management failure.

Common Compost Bugs

• Stable flies (needle beak) — love wet straw, grass, manure
• Green June beetles — metallic, lay eggs in decaying matter
• Houseflies — manure, rotting garbage, grass clippings

Fix: More browns, bone meal to dry pile, orange spray perimeter.

Animal Pests (Raccoons, Rodents, Pets)

Compost = food + shelter. Prevention:

• Turn frequently, maintain brown:green ratio.
• Never add: meat, oils, cheese, seasoned leftovers, pet waste, cat litter.
• Site away from bird feeders, berry bushes, pet bowls.
• Line bin with hardware cloth.

Closed Bin Systems Win

Ventilated, enclosed bins deter most animals. Open piles invite trouble. Smell stays in; pests stay out.