A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion Plant pests and problems compost critters: friends or foes?

I have several compost bins going, and one has been invaded by these larvae (I'm guessing). They were not particularly active this morning when I snapped the photo, but on previous afternoons they are wild! You can almost seem them chewing through stuff. They are just beneath the surface, and seemed to appear somewhere along the time I threw in a lot of oakleaf lettuce that had bolted. They appear to be more flat than perfectly cylindrical, and obviously have segments.

If they are good guys, cool. But if they are the larvae of something that's going to attack my veggies soon, I need to do something!

So anyone know what they are? Thanks!!

Marica, Do your bins get very hot? If they get hot at some point then that should kill off the larvae of anything. There are things you can toss it there to help with the heating process. Bone meal or something like.
Those look like a beetle larvae of some type. I do not know of many beneficial beetles beyond lady bugs. There may be more but I'm not familiar with them.

Those larvae are definitely not a friendly one for your compost project. Those larvae eat your leaves than to be decomposed. get those off your compost bin or you will have nothing to decompose. These larvae may be friendly in some other ways but definitely not for your composting. I suggest you put some food leftovers to drive them away.

From the picture, they almost look like carpet beetle larvae, not positive though, it's kinda hard to see.

Looked at a few photos of carpet beetle larvae and that's not what they are. But thanks!

Good idea on the bone meal. Thanks! i'' pick some up tomorrow. It does get pretty hot inside. I turned the whole pile into another bin yesterday and added some lime. I didn't see nearly as many as I had previously.

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