Troubleshooting Tips - Mantis ComposT-Twin Benutzerhandbuch

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Sometimes things go wrong - even with composting. Most composting problems stem from a
lack of moisture, too much moisture, a nitrogen imbalance, or poorly managed food scraps.
Fortunately, all of these problems have a fairly simple solution. Below you will find a number
of commonly encountered symptoms, their causes and their cures.
Problem
Bad odour (like rotten
eggs or spoiled food)
Bad odour (strong
ammonia, pond scum)
Insect pests
Insect pests
Pile not breaking down
Pile not breaking down
Pile not breaking down
Pile heats up, then stops
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Troubleshooting Tips

Cause
Inappropriate food
scraps
Anaerobic pile
This is not necessarily a
problem.
Too dry, not mixed
properly
Insufficient nitrogen
Pile is too dry
Poor aeration
Poor aeration
Solution
Remove and discard any improper
materials (meats, dairy, etc.)
Turn materials, mixing in dry leaves, straw
or wood chips. Check the breather caps in
the doors for proper drainage.
Not all insects in a compost pile are
"pests"; the compost ecosystem includes
a host of helpful invertebrates, including
millipedes, centipedes, worms, ants - even
snails and slugs, among others.
Make sure food materials are thoroughly
mixed in. Hot piles will destroy or deter
most insects, such as grubs and other
larvae (maggots). Moisten pile if
necessary; moist piles deter bees and
wasps. Wood chips and woody materials
taken from rotted wood piles or municipal
mulch piles may contain termites and/or
carpenter ants.
Add grass, manure, kitchen scraps, or
other natural nitrogen sources.
Add water, turn chamber, and check
moisture level until pile is moist, but not
wet; should feel like a sponge throughout.
Start turning and mixing materials more
often.
Hot piles need lots of fresh oxygen; turn
materials as pile starts to cool down. It
might be necessary to add an additional
nitrogen source periodically.
Source: Easy Compost, Beth Hanson, Ed.