Would spiders (and mites) be harmful to a compost system?

Asked by Strauss (23829

) May 22nd, 2013

I have several large (14” diameter) containers in which I found an infestation of spiders and mites. I was able to save four of the plants, but there were another four in which the plants had died. The surviving plants have now been cleansed of the infestation, but I have a large amount of potting soil, which I am afraid might be still infested. I currently have it segregated from other pots and garden soils.

If I introduce this infested soil into my compost system, will there be detrimental effects, or will the spiders follow their natural course and find elsewhere to go?

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2 Answers

I don’t know of any spiders that are “vegetarian”. That is, I don’t know of any spiders that will harm your plants directly by eating any part of them. (If I’m wrong about that I’d love to learn something new.)

As for mites and other insects, if your compost still has those running through it, then it isn’t yet decomposed enough to be ready for use as planting / bedding material. Let it decay some more, with or without the bugs. When there are no more visible insects (worms are to be expected, but not insects), then it may be more suitable for use with planting.

CWOTUS (26102

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I would avoid putting the infested soil in the compost – too risky that it would contaminate it. Normally, insects will assist in the decomposition process that you are looking for when composting, but if these were mites that killed your plants, there may be eggs remaining in the potting soil that could cause a problem.

citygrlincountry (270

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