- 1). Observe the area around your compost bin to make sure there aren't any birds, mice or rats around, or evidence of these creatures such as droppings and footprints. If there is such evidence, place metal mesh around your compost bin and hang birdfeeders away from it.
- 2). Look around your compost bin to see if there are any flying bugs, which are probably unwanted. Reduce the population of flying pests by keeping meat, fish, dairy products and animal waste out of your bin, and turning your compost so that your food waste is towards the middle of the pile rather than on top.
- 3). Open your compost bin and turn the compost inside to reveal an assortment of organisms.
- 4). Observe the critters to see whether or not they have legs. Invertebrates with no legs (worms) are beneficial to your compost and should be left in the pile. Other invertebrates, with six, eight or many legs, generally pose no harm to your compost, but can be undesirable for other reasons.
- 5). Use an insect guide with photographs or illustrations to identify these organisms, and control unwanted pests by eliminating their food sources or spraying them with a solution of 1 tbsp. liquid soap combined with a quart of water.
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