Editing Compost (section)

==== Physical decomposers ====
* [[Ant]]s create nests, making the soil more porous and transporting nutrients to different areas of the compost.<ref name=":5" />
* Beetles as [[Grub (larva)|grubs]] feed on decaying vegetables.<ref name=":5" />
* [[Earthworm]]s ingest partly composted material and excrete worm castings,<ref name=":5" /> making nitrogen, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium available to plants.<ref name=":5" /> The tunnels they create as they move through the compost also increase aeration and drainage.<ref name=":5" />
* [[Fly|Flies]] feed on almost all organic material and put bacteria into the compost.<ref name=":5" /> Their population is kept in check by [[mite]]s and the thermophilic temperatures that are unsuitable for fly larvae.<ref name=":5" />
* [[Millipede]]s break down plant material.<ref name=":5" />
* [[Rotifer]]s feed on plant particles.<ref name=":5" />
* [[Snail]]s and [[slug]]s feed on living or fresh plant material.<ref name=":5" /> They should be removed from compost before use, as they can damage plants and crops.<ref name=":5" />
* [[Sow bugs]] feed on rotting wood and decaying vegetation.<ref name=":5" />
* [[Springtail]]s feed on fungi, molds, and decomposing plants.<ref name=":5" />