- That's why woodlice are so important in the compost!
- Woodlice live in certain layers of the compost
- Woodlice do not harm earthworms!
- Fight flies in compost
If you discover a lot of woodlice in the compost, rejoice! These are not pests, but useful arachnids. They play a very important role in the rotting cycle. Woodlice in the compost is a sign of good garden health.
Woodlice on the compost is a good sign
That's why woodlice are so important in the compost!
- crushing of the coarse components
- Nutrients are released
- soil is loosened
- Compost is prepared for fungi and bacteria
Woodlice are not insects, as is often assumed, but small arachnids. They only live in damp places such as the basement. They also do well in a well layered compost heap or composter.
Woodlice have an important job in composting. They decompose dead plant parts and prepare the compost for other beneficial insects.
When the isopods have done their job, bacteria and fungi can do their job. They ensure that the desired humus is produced from the compost.
Woodlice live in certain layers of the compost
You will only find woodlice in the layers of the compost in which there are still coarse parts such as twigs, crushed leaves and the like. An evenly humid environment must prevail. If the compost becomes too dry, the woodlice retreat and die.
They tamper with the coarse components of the compost material and break it up.
The beneficial insects can also be found in moist garden soil. There they help to loosen the soil and supply it with important nutrients.
Woodlice do not harm earthworms!
Some, especially inexperienced gardeners fear that the woodlice will eat the extremely useful earthworms in the compost.
Where this untrue wisdom comes from is not known. Woodlice and earthworms are both important garden beneficials.
Fight flies in compost
Unlike woodlice, flies are among the uninvited visitors in the compost. They mainly settle where materials that do not belong on the compost heap, such as meat and leftovers, have been stored.
In contrast to woodlice, flies are always a sign that something is wrong with the compost.
tips
Woodlice need a moist environment. If you keep your basement dry, you don't have to worry about woodlice moving from the compost into the house.