Home composting is not rocket science and the simple problems that arise can be quickly sorted out.

Pile is too wet and compacted with too little air.

Soldier Fly Maggots appear in all compost heaps - they are natures scavengers and very important creatures. They need some getting used to and the trick is to manage them. Lots of air (stirring) and adding turmeric powder and a little rock salt in all containers every week helps control their numbers.

If they crawl out and wander all over your floors sweep them up, collect them in a container and drop them under a tree. The birds love to feed on them. These Soldier Fly Maggots suppress the eco-cycle of the pest carrying housefly. The Soldier Flies have no mouth parts and are harmless. The Maggots in some cultures are a fried delicacy!
Learn more about these creatures.

Maggots, worms, bugs in reasonable quantities are good for your compost pile. Live and let live! They won’t bother you.

The pile has a composition that attracts ants. Not all piles attract ants. It depends on the diet of the user and also ambient conditions.

Use vinegar around the pot and outside liberally. Also baby powder helps apparently.

Again, some composters attract lizards and spiders.

Spraying some lemon grass solution and vinegar. Finally get over your fear of both lizards and spiders – they are important for the eco-system.

Not enough oxygen, or
the pile is too wet, or
compacted.

Mix up the pile to increase aeration. Add coarse dry materials like straw, hay or leaves, which will soak up excess moisture from the pile. Avoid thick layers of just one material. Break up the layers and mix up the pile so that there is a good mix of materials. Shred any big pieces that aren’t decomposing.

You are generating more waste than your composter can handle OR Composting is too slow

You need to invest in another composter, a Leave-it Pot or transfer half done compost to a ordinary flower pot. Your pile may not be composting at an optimum rate... see problem 10

You are not covering the kitchen waste with enough of dried leaves / paper / sawdust

Cover fresh waste with enough dried leaves/paper/sawdust and use a liberal dose of Lemon grass spray. There should be no waste visible for the flies to sit on. Also you can burn a “diya” with lemon grass essential oil near the Kambha to get rid of these fruit flies.

Inappropriate materials (like meat, oil, bones), or the food-like material is too close to the surface of the pile.

Bury kitchen scraps under lots of dried leaves or already composted material. Don't add too many bones or meat to the pile. The Daily Dump products are rodent-proof - they don't allow rodents to enter unlike compost pits.

The modular units can be pushed over by dogs, monkeys or a careless gesture.

If it’s only a crack – repair it with some M-seal. Otherwise replacing parts of your composter is easy with Daily Dump’s modular composters. Pick up your replacement or have it delivered to your house.

The composter has been placed in too exposed a location.

Relocate your composter to a more sheltered spot. While these products have not been designed to withstand heavy rainfall, a little rain going in doesn’t adversely affect composting. Add more dried leaves or newspaper to absorb extra moisture. You can also buy our recycled plastic raincoat.

1. Not enough nitrogen
2. Not enough oxygen
3. Not enough moisture

1. Make sure you have enough nitrogen rich sources
like manure, grass clippings or food scraps.
2. Mix up the pile so it can breathe.
3. A completely dry pile will not compost. Mix in some
water into the pile for 2-3 days, till the pile looks
more combined.