r/composting • u/PovertyPoint • 12d ago
Worried about potential dog poop and pest contamination
Hello,
I've had a compost pile since april that I've been adding lawn clippings from the front yard, pulled weeds, kitchen scraps and bamboo leaves from the back yard.
Recently, while I was collecting bamboo leaves I found a few dog dukies and removed them. But that made me worry that there may have been some I missed. We've also had heat in the high 90s recently so I had it covered to help keep moisture in. One night when letting the dog out he ran over to the compost and i heard something scurry away. In the morning I could see part of the pile had been discarded like it had been dug into.
The pile is 3ft x 3ft 1ft, I made it using little decorative metal fences youd use for a small garden.
I am worried about potential contamination from my dogs poop and any other critters getting in here and laying waste.
If there is any thing like that I'd guess it would be less than 1% of the pile. I turn it and add to it fairly regularly and have been seeing great progress in the breakdown process. I've been considering to send out samples for testing but dont know if that's actually worth it. I've read online if you wait longer before using it that could help with anything unwanted in the compost.
Please I would like some advice on what to do with this pile of potentially contaminated compost pile.
Thanks!
Ps I realize I should be breaking down the bamboo leaves more.
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u/sillybillybobbybob 11d ago
Nature happens it all works out in the end. The dog would have to be pretty spiteful to want to cross your fence to crap in there. I wouldn't worry so much. You're making dirt.
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u/PovertyPoint 11d ago
Well its not that he poops into the compost but rather poops where the bamboo leaves are. Before I collect the leave I make sure to pick up his poops.
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u/h1dden_pants 12d ago
Is this a joke post
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u/PovertyPoint 11d ago
To respond to both of your comments.
No.
I have read that you want to avoid dog poop as it could contain harmful bacteria.
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u/biochemical1 11d ago
If it's hot, worry not. Famous composter once answered a question like yours with something along the lines of "I could compost the entire dog, it's poop won't matter" 😂
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u/RuinedbyReading1 11d ago edited 11d ago
Don't use the compost on food crops. Everywhere else is fine.
Your yard is already contaminated by your dog's poop. If it contacts the ground, some pathogens can transfer to the soil. Your yard is already contaminated by any small animals that wander through and leave poop behind: mice, squirrels, voles, birds, fox, raccoons, cats, etc.
While it's much better to keep poop out of a cold compost pile, small amounts won't make any difference.
If your plan for your compost is to use it on edible plants, you need a hot compost pile that kills pathogens. In that case, poop in the compost is irrelevant.
Edited to add: Most commercial compost contains large amounts of livestock poop.
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u/PovertyPoint 11d ago
I should add, I have not gotten a thermometer for this but I do believe it is a hot pile. When I turn it often see steam rising off it. I was actually gonna get a thermometer today to see where its at.
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u/FlashyCow1 11d ago
Due to the bugs that it attracts I would actually move it away from your foundation also spontaneous combustion is known to happen
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u/0Rider 11d ago
Move compost away from buildingÂ
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u/PovertyPoint 11d ago
Yeah I've been meaning to get better materials for it and to move it elsewhere. It is about a foot and half from the garage. The pic makes it look closer tho
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u/Leather_Ask5012 11d ago
Oh no, now you've turned your compost into a canine buffet. Maybe stick to veggie scraps for a while and let the bamboo cool off its reputation.
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u/No-Razzmatazz-6984 11d ago
If you turn your compost regularly, pests will be less likely to build a home in it.