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I’m thinking about getting some of the free mulch which I’m hoping will keep my plants from drying out and maybe cutting down on some weeds.
I’d like to know:
Do LFA like it? I’m told the mulch is allowed to heat up for a month which will kill the ones there, but they could move in.
Do slugs and snails like it? What about centipedes?
Will I need to add nitrogen while it breaks down?
Anybody use it? What were the results?
Puna: Our roosters crow first
Puna: Our roosters crow first
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The composting action gets super hot in there and usually kills the bugs but:
There have been reports of fireants being spread because of it.
You're not exactly sure what you're getting, and what went through the shredder. Once I got splinters of pallet boards in it.
Another time I discovered a portion of the pile had some motor oil or gasoline in it and I couldn't figure out why but guessed it was because the material has gone through a chipper powered with gas and lubricated with oil. Some human mistake or spillage and it went into the compost.
That being said about those rare occasions, it's usually a good amendment to your soil and is a valuable resource at the Hilo refuge center.
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They switched to "enhanced" mulch some time ago that gets the mulch closer to compost. It gets very hot and will kill any bugs or weed seeds before its ready for pickup. It will eventually break down on it's own but if you want to compost it you can mix it with some kind of nitrogen (like manure).
If you want compost you can buy it at Puna Rock. Haven't tried it but neighbors say good things about it:
https://www.punarock.com/products/
I haven't noticed that LFA are any more attracted to the mulch than anything else. Before we started treating for them they REALLY loved our compost pile but didn't seem particularly attracted to the mulch. I haven't noticed any difference with centipedes or slugs.
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Well I got a load and it seems like it’s pretty good stuff. Has a smell I’ve never smelled before, but not unpleasant. I did have to learn my way around, but their system is pretty efficient and the area was clean. Definitely will get more.
Puna: Our roosters crow first
Puna: Our roosters crow first
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I have had 5 loads of the stuff at different times of the year and I never got fire ants, I walked barefoot in the stuff moving it around. It doesn't stop bugs from coming into your garden, what soil/mulch would?' Put a plastic cover on the bottom of your truck and also on top.
Get ducks Muscovy they would eat the slugs and centipeds etc. they are quiet birds and I gave them free range in the back with no coop
veronica moore
veronica moore
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How do you keep the ducks from flying away?
Puna: Our roosters crow first
Puna: Our roosters crow first
