I am new at the composting business and can anyone help me in regards to lots of tiny insects flying around in the bin. I started the compost heap about 2 weeks ago, putting veg and fruit scraps in every day. Have covered it with a small layer of grass clippings and leaves also every day. How can I get rid of these insects! Thanks.
lemming2,
Feb 4, 9:33pm
Probably fruit flies. They're part of the composting scene if your fruit/veg scraps aren't completely covered. One of those things we learn to live with really. They may have started with your first scraps; their larvae live on that, and they hatch seriously quickly and start all over again. I don't know that "getting rid" is possible in summer. They'll probably disappear in Winter though.
etta1,
Feb 4, 9:45pm
Thanks Lemming2 for your answer, one learns something every day. As we know rhubarb leaves are poisonous, can these leaves be put in the compost or destroyed. Thanks.
helianthus,
Feb 5, 4:13am
You can put rhubarb leaves in your compost (unless you intend eating the compost)!
lythande1,
Feb 5, 4:45am
You don't. No bugs - no compost. Bugs and bacteria are part of the process.
kateley,
Feb 5, 6:37am
you tend to get more of those small flies (I think they are fungus gnats) when your compost is too wet, and if you're only putting food scraps and lawn clippings in then you need to put some dried leaves or ripped up newspaper in to have a better balance in your compost
tonijo,
Feb 5, 3:26pm
We started putting in old bread into the Earthmaker compost bin we have.Was fine till I saw holes appearing in the bread, then went to give it a stir and found mice.Stopped adding bread now, but it's taking time for the bin's ecology to go back to what it was, 'cos it stinks.Slowly getting better:-)
fleur59,
Feb 5, 4:26pm
If the flies are really bad ,a short burst of fly spray aimed at the lid, inside, will help get rid of them. Also add a handful of lime now and then will help
matthews4,
Feb 5, 5:33pm
Do not put bread or meat in compost bins - attracts mice.I soak spare bread, and put out on bird table, they clean it up.or take to beach, or local lake to feed ducks.We use black bins, and don't put lid on, just keep adding to it.let rain get in, birds get bits out, etc.when full, top up with lime, newspaper, and put lid on.I have 5 bins, and they work well this way.
wendalls,
Feb 5, 8:34pm
I have these grubs about 2cm long in mine. Eww. Any ideas what they are! It is quite dry so i need to add some grass clippings i think.
etta1,
Feb 6, 7:12pm
Thanks for that. I started putting in grass clippings and leaves and these little flys have dropped down a great deal.
etta1,
Feb 6, 7:13pm
I just thought that putting the rhubarb leaves in the compost the poison in the leaves would finally get into the vegs through the compost chain.
etta1,
Feb 6, 7:15pm
The compost bin we have is the Earthmaker, new at this business. Seems to be going along ok at present with the addition of grass clippings and leaves (just a couple of handfuls of this every day).
helianthus,
Feb 6, 7:17pm
No, it will break down in the composting. Its only oxalic acid - nothing really nasty!
etta1,
Feb 6, 7:17pm
I thought of using fly spray but then I thought I would write on here to see what others thought. What does the lime do!
etta1,
Feb 25, 9:05am
Thanks for that. Have enormous rhubarb leaves which I can put a little bit in as I read somewhere not to overdo one sort of material.
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