How to safely control hundreds of small flies in worm compost bin?

Question

We never used to had that problem in the 5 years we've been composting. Apparently we now have a fly problem: For a few months, vegetable cuttings from the kitchen were added to the compost bin without turning the contents. Weather was warm, flies probably multiplied. I recently took-over the duty again from my husband and have always turned the compost each time that I add anything; but there are still a lot of little flies. Everytime I open the lid, flies bounce off my face.

Would it be safe for the slugs and hundreds of worms to spray an insecticide in the bin? Or is there another way to control the flies? The compost smells good -- just don't like those hundreds of little flies.

Answer 1

I don't think insecticide is the way to go. Maybe you could rig up the door so that you can be standing far away from the lid when you open it (like a rope over a beam, and you pull up the lid that way). That way, you get rid of the flies by opening the door, and you don't have to worry about spending money for insecticide or anything else.

When you are turning the compost regularly, I think it will heat up enough to kill the flies, the maggots and any eggs. Maybe it will just take a little time to get things back to normal.

(-: Have hubby open the door five minutes before you go out -- maybe a face full of flies will convince him to turn the compost!

Good luck!

Answer 2

The worms maximum frequently used for vermiculture, the purple wiggler or purple trojan horse, could truthfully be stored contained. this form of trojan horse is a marvelous feeder; it would not burrow very deep and manages to attain each and every of the foodstuff on the topmost area of the soil. which means they might part out indigenous species. that's not often a reliable theory to supplant with presented species the organisms that have developed to fill particular roles interior of an environment. there is not any reason to no longer do the two composting and vermiculture, because of the fact the variety of worms on your bin will stabilize based on the quantity of foodstuff they are given. There are relatively some meals of which the worms are no longer fond, like citrus end result, which would be composted. maybe you may desire to reserve a third of your scraps for the worms, and compost something.

Answer 3

i don't know if this works but my aunt said that if you want to keep flies away to take a clear plastic bag fill it with water and hang it were you want to keep them away from this comes from an old home remedy hope this helps good luck