Compost and fruit flies?

quigs · 07-05-2008, 08:20 AM

Our compost is teeming with them. Does this mean I need more dirt/leaves/? ? More water? Last Monday I added a bunch of dirt, pine needles and such that I swept up behind my garage. That didn't seem to have any affect on the fruit fly population. Is this normal for a beginningm pile or do I need to try to do something about it? TIA!

whistlergirl · 07-05-2008, 08:36 AM

We've also been having this problem. I asked my Dad about it as he never seems to have this problem. I think we've been adding too much kitchen waste and not enough green and brown matter, like you mentioned. I also haven't been mixing it regularly.

KeriKadi · 07-05-2008, 08:39 AM

I am not sure what would help, our tumbler has a lid.

Carol in Maryland · 07-05-2008, 08:53 AM

You hit the nail on the head - too much green (kitchen scraps, grass clippings), not enough brown (leaves, newspaper, twigs) will attract the fruit flies. The ratio should be about 2:1, brown:green. You can add a 12" layer of dirt, leaves, or shredded paper on top. Then, as you add kitchen scraps, pull the brown layer aside in one spot, dump the scraps and recover. Next time choose a different spot. No need to mix, etc.

quigs · 07-05-2008, 04:47 PM

Thanks, Carol! I had forgotten about putting in shredded paper we have a ton of newspaper that we can put in.

DH wanted to go buy dirt to put in the pile. I told him I think we can put dirt in but not bagged stuff since it's chemically treated. Is that right?

Carol in Maryland · 07-05-2008, 04:53 PM

Bagged dirt shouldn't hurt anything, but it is a needless expense. BTW, don't use the comics section - only black and white newspaper.

quigs · 07-05-2008, 04:58 PM

Got it! Thanks!!

i_used_to_be_cool · 07-05-2008, 07:22 PM

It's not the amount of brown vs. green in total, but what is at the top. I do both worm composting indoors, and traditional composting outdoors, and it applies to both. Fruit flies cannot burrow, so if your food scraps are buried beneath a layer of yard wastes, leaves, paper, etc. you will have no fruit flies. I keep a bucket of yard waste (usually weeds that I pulled from around the yard) next to the composter, so when I add kitchen waste I can throw the weeds on top of it.

i_used_to_be_cool · 07-05-2008, 07:24 PM

I take that back... the amount does matter, LOL. I just meant to say that the top layer should always be something that the fruit flies don't eat.