snails

[Vics128]

Are snails just as good as worms in a compost bin?

[Ethel]

No.

[Vics128]

why?

[maggie01]

I wish they were as I would have the best compost around.

[shaneystar2]

In general, all creatures found within a compost bin are there for a reason and are normally performing a specific function.
Slugs, snails, woodlice and centipedes within a compost bin are completely harmless, even though they can be seen as a pest in other parts of the garden. On no account should slug powder or pellets be used in the compost bin. Pesticides such as this would kill other organisms within the bin.
Worms are best though as they as they eat and digest half their own body weight in waste every day and aerate the compost and reduce it down.You can introduce worms artificially .
Composting worms are different from garden worms and if you Google you should find loads of info as to where to get them ,bung them in your composter and away you go !!

[Ethel]

Worms live on decaying organic matter (the stuff you put in the compost) and as this matter passes through the worm it is broken up and neutralized by secretions of calcium carbonate from calciferous glands near the worm's gizzard. Once in the gizzard, material is finely ground prior to digestion. Digestive intestinal juices rich in hormones, enzymes, and other fermenting substances continue the breakdown process. The matter passes out of the worm's body in the form of casts, which are the richest and finest quality of all humus material. Fresh casts are markedly higher in bacteria, organic material, and available nitrogen, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium than soil itself.

Also, as the worm burrows and tunnels through the heap it is aerating and oxygenating it, allowing water and nutrients to filter down.

So Hurrah for the worm in your compost.

Snail live mainly on living matter but will attack fresh organic matter. But their digestive systems are different and they suck all the goodness out. They do not make compost nor tunnel to aerate the heap. They are all take and no give! So if you see a snail in your compost you will have to remove it by hand. You can't use snail pellets because they would change the balance of your compost heap.

[shaneystar2]

Well...there are loads of snails in my compost bin and they can stay there .Life is too short to pick snails out of compost bins.!!
At least if they are in there they are not munching their way round the rest of my garden.

[horty]

Shaneystar2

Hooray for you, well said!! H.

[janetsflower]

They're good in compost if you squidge em first