Question: After having a compost pile for a few years, I have noticed a number of large roaches in the area and at times a greenish yellow mold grows on the top of the compost. Is there some way I can control these two problems?
Answer:Β Cockroaches use compost as a food source and as a place to live. The same is true for the mold you see growing on the surface. They are probably not your favorite things to see in your compost, but they are both helping to decompose the pile, so theyβre not all bad. Most people dislike cockroaches that like to live in our homes although my cats love them to death. Out in the wild, cockroaches are very helpful decomposers. The yellow mold you see is sometimes affectionately known as dog vomit slime mold because thatβs what it looks like when you find it. By turning your compost over more frequently, you will disturb the life cycle of both these organisms and they will be less likely to colonize the area. You will also likely speed up the process of turning your compost into something usable.
Peter L. Warren is the Forest Health Program coordinator for the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management. Questions, photos and videos may be emailed toΒ tucsongardensage@gmail.com
