Should There Be Gnats in My Compost?

Gnats. Gnats in the finished compost require action. If they're not eradicated, they'll travel with the compost to every pot or plot it reaches. The larvae eat organic matter, including the root hairs of plants, causing real damage if the infestation is serious enough.

How do I get rid of gnats in my compost?

Splash your compost thoroughly with steaming water and then shut off the container's lid tightly to hold in the heat. The heat inside the container will instantly kill the gnats living in there as well their eggs.

Why are there so many gnats in my compost?

Answer: If you're getting hundreds of this pests, it's probably because your compost pile is not appropriately aerated. A few bugs are expected, of course, but try stirring your pile up more often. Make sure grass clippings, for example, are well mixed with leaves to ensure they're getting air as they decompose.