Question Sterilization of Compost

[ss-ashley]

I really want to supplement my indoor plants with compost but I have too many bad experiences with pests invasions (particularly aphids, gnats). I read about sterilization via solar, oven and microwave. What are your thoughts on it and is there any other methods?

 

[John M]

If you are home composting, if get your pile to 130F-140F, or 54C to 60C for several days and that should kill both seeds and insect eggs in the pile. You can also sterilize with a 4% hydrogen peroxide solution. Unfortunately, H2O2, microwave, etc will also kill the beneficial microbial life that makes compost so valuable. Instead of compost, you might want to get good quality potting soil and amend with organic fertilizer that also contains beneficial bacteria and mychorrizae.