Composting pears with worms
Pear cores, peels, and overripe pears are a fantastic and highly suitable addition to your Bonter vermicomposter. They are soft, nutritious, and break down quickly, so they are efficiently converted into rich compost. A simple and effective way to process your pear scraps.
Can pear scraps go in your worm bin?
Yes, absolutely! Pear cores, peels, and flesh (even when overripe) are among the favorites of compost worms. They are soft, moist, and contain many natural sugars, so they are digested very quickly by the worms and microorganisms. The cores are a bit more fibrous than the flesh but are fully compostable. The seeds in the core are harmless and usually pass through undigested. Pears primarily provide ‘green’ material, rich in nitrogen.
How much pears can you add?
Pear cores, peels, and scraps can be added regularly and in reasonable quantities to your Bonter worm bin, depending on its size and activity. As with all moist and fast-decomposing material, it is important to maintain a good balance with ‘brown’ material (such as shredded cardboard or paper). This helps regulate moisture balance and prevent clumping. Mix pear scraps well through the bedding and do not add a large pile all at once. Overripe pears are extra moist, so this applies even more strongly to them.
What to do instead? Alternatives & waste management
Pears and pear scraps are so suitable for vermicomposting that you can almost always add them to your Bonter without hesitation! They are quickly processed and converted into valuable compost. Should you, for whatever reason, have an exceptional amount of pear waste, for example, after making sauce, a traditional compost heap is a good alternative, or your municipality’s organic waste bin collection. Ensure that pear scraps do not end up in general waste, as they are perfectly compostable and valuable. Preventing waste by eating pears is, of course, always the best.
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Tips for safe pear composting
Although pears naturally break down quickly, cutting the cores and peels into smaller pieces (2-5 cm) can further speed up the process. Always mix pear waste with sufficient dry ‘brown’ material and always bury it completely under a layer of bedding (paper, cardboard). This is the most important step for pears to prevent fruit flies, as the sweet smell is very attractive. Burying well helps stop unwanted pests at the source and limits odors, even with the efficient air filtration system of the Bonter.

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Frequently asked questions about composting pears
Can pear cores go in the worm bin?
Yes, pear cores are fully compostable and are processed well by the worms. Cutting them into smaller pieces speeds up breakdown.
Do I need to remove pear peels?
No, pear peels are thin and fully compostable. They can go in the worm bin along with the core.
Do pears attract many fruit flies?
Yes, due to their sweet smell and moisture, pear scraps are very attractive to fruit flies. Therefore, always bury pear waste completely under the bedding to prevent this.
Are overripe pears suitable for the worm bin?
Yes, overripe and even slightly moldy pears are excellent. They are already soft and break down even faster. However, ensure extra brown material due to the extra moisture.
Do I need to cut pears into pieces?
It is advisable to cut cores and possibly peels into smaller pieces (2-5 cm). This speeds up breakdown and makes it easier for the worms.
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