Over the garden fence

Re: flies in compost bin

richardpeeej — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 21:48:53 GMT

I have been adding a lot of wet kitchen waste in the past as that is mostly what I put in my compost bin, usually peelings of carrot, potato and other veg and also tea bags!. I dry them a bit now with newspaper before putting them in, and noticed that there are not so many flies in there now. I also have been adding dry shredded newspaper. Thanks for the suggestion Chris, I will leave the lid off on cold winter's nights from now on as you suggest.

Re: flies in compost bin

hydropiper — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 00:53:31 GMT

Flies in the compost heap are a sure sign that the material you are composting is too wet, thus allowing the adult flies and their larvae ideal conditions in which to proliferate. Often this occurs when too much kitchen waste is added to the bin. The key is to add a mix of kitchen waste (peelings etc), garden waste (prunings, dead leaves etc), and things like shredded newspaper or cardboard. I suggest you shred some paper or cardboard into the bin to begin with as this will absorb some of the wetness and dry it out a bit, and in time this will reduce the number of flies. However, as other people have suggested flies hatching out of compost bins are often inevitable especially during the summer months. When the winter weather comes leave the lid of the compost bin off, and the frost may kill some of the larvae, and overwintering adults.

Re: flies in compost bin

Celtic Heart — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 20:16:45 GMT

What a relief to read this post! I, too, have flies in my bins and now I know they are not harmful, or worse, breeding something that should be destroyed!

Re: flies in compost bin

richardpeeej — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 22:13:59 GMT

Phot's Moll-thanks for your suggestion. The compost bin is 'Dalek' shape and about 5 foot high. It is very heavy too as it is nearly full with rotted compost. I've tried to lift it, even lever it up with a garden spade to twist it around as the front opening is not quite in the right place but so far have failed. I think that the compost has stuck to the sides of the bin as it looks very sticky in places- a bit like clay. The bin has not got a bottom on it, so in theory it should just lift up especially as the sides are tapered. The flies especially like the contents! I'll have another go at moving it soon with some help from my son, but don't know where I can put it yet. PS I've not got a wheelbarrow so will empty it out on some flagstones, mix it up, add paper and put it all back. I'll do this when the weather is a bit cooler!

Re: flies in compost bin

Phot's-Moll — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:56:00 GMT

Could you empty it out into a wheelbarrow and then fork it back in (along with the added paper) That'd mix things up nicely.

Re: flies in compost bin

richardpeeej — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 17:42:05 GMT

Thanks Phot's-Moll for the advice. It is difficult for me to turn over the material in the compost bin as I am a bit pushed for space around it at the moment I'll have to have a think if I can put it somewhere else in the garden. Cheers Rich.

Re: flies in compost bin

Phot's-Moll — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:59:22 GMT

Turning over the heap can help it rot down faster and seems to discourage the flies. It also means you can see if it's too wet or dry and add something to correct that. Ideally the material should seem damp, but not soggy and there shouldn't be any layers of dry stuff. Shredded or srewed up pape, straw or woody prunings can be added if it's too wet. If it's too dry add grass clippings, kitchen waste and/or water.

Re: flies in compost bin

richardpeeej — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:03:19 GMT

Thanks for your suggestion Miranda I'll try torn up newspaper.

Re: flies in compost bin

richardpeeej — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:01:43 GMT

Thanks Phot's-Moll you are right that's what they look like. Perhaps I should turn over the material in the compost bin - I have never done that before ( I didn't know about it!)

Re: flies in compost bin

miranda — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 11:44:24 GMT

It's normal to get flies in compost bins, Richard, and is part of the breakdown process. If it bothers you (and it isn't very nice) then you could mix in more dry matter in the form of straw, old leaves or torn up news paper.

Re: flies in compost bin

Phot's-Moll — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 22:15:45 GMT

They're probably fruit flies (tiny & dark brown) and are quite common in compost heaps - especially ones that aren't turned regularly. They aren't harmful to you or the compost.

flies in compost bin

richardpeeej — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:30:38 GMT

Hi everyone- whenever I open the lid of my compost bin loads of flies come out. I have left the lid off for a while and hit the sides for them to escape before putting the lid back on. I thought they would like this as it has been getting very hot in there lately. When I go back perhaps the next day or so it is the same again -any ideas? thanks