over50

I am making my own composted soil, to add to my more regular soil. I put all my vegetative matter in this compost. It is full of maggots, of course. Will these maggots depart after the vegetative matter is fully decomposed? Do the maggots lay eggs that remain, or do they become flies that just eventually depart? Thanks!

3hounds

If they have a tapering front end, with the head not so distinct,they are probably maggots. If the head and legs are brown or orange, and the larvae sort of "C" shaped, they are dung beetle larvae (scarabs related to white grubs and japanese beetles, but harmless).
In either case, they will not hurt the compost (the flies could become a problem if they are maggots, however.) They will leave naturally as they develop into adults, and as the food source continues to degrade, becoming unsuitable for them.

Their presence indicates that your compost id either too moist or not hot enough. More green, like grass clippings, would help, as would drying it a bit. Compost activator is helpful also.

You know not to use meat or fat scraps, or manure from creatures that have eaten those things, right? And you turn your pile regularly? A brief Google search on composting methods might help you out.

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