How do Bacteria help my composting?

Bacteria

Temperature range

Activity

Psychrophilic

50-70°F (10-21°C)

Start at lower temperatures and help to raise the temperature

Mesophilic

70-140°F (21-40°C) 

Continue to generate heat and further raise the temperature

Thermophilic (hot)

+140°F (40-75°C)

Bacteria eat readily available and easy to consume sugars the first few days after a 'feed'.  When the ‘easy’ to digest food is gone, the bacteria population starts to decline and the temperature starts to fall. The temperature cycle starts again when new waste is added.

Mesophilic, cooling, lignin specialists

20-40°C

The more resilient parts of the waste are broken down, e.g. cellulose & lignin. Phase can last long time, but rarely is enough heat produced.