Help!

[Debby]

I was out of town during the rains and now my compost in my trash can is yuky. When i left it was sweet smelling like earth w/ tons of soldier larvea. I think it may have gotten too wet thru the holes. It stinks sooooo bad. I added some shredded newspaper to help dry it out. Any more suggestions? I was thinking it should be about ready to use but now I don't know. It's not ruined is it?
I have a compost on the ground going, I just like messing w/ the trash can. It's more fun!

[drchelo]

I think it would be real hard to "ruin" compost with a good rain! I think that what has happened is that the compost got wet, and the little bugs who use oxygen and make things smell sweet got temporarily drowned out I think that adding some dry "brown" and turning it over (and letting it dry a bit, if possible, if not - put some more drainage holes in the van) you will re-energize the aerobes, and your compost will start cooking away happily again..