fruit flies

[dirtybacon]

My compost bin is producing fruit flies by the hundred and I need a safe way to stop them from multiplying. They are finding their way from the bin into the house where it is warmer and the kitchen is now inundated with them.

[Jenga]

How close is the bin? They are a real nuisance. I tried growing some peppers last year and some how they got black fly and then they spread to my coriander. I had to chuck the peppers out and I won't be growing them again. I did read growing basil in the kitchen windowsill keeps flies at bay. I have yet to try it out.

[malpals]

I have this problem with fruit flies in the compost bin too! Even in this cold weather they are flourishing!! I have tried all sorts of things. I NEVER EVER put in anything cooked - that includes cooked fruit and veg. Somebody told me not to put potato peelings in so i tried that too, but nothing has worked for me yet. My bin, fortunately, is round the corner from the kitchen so I don't have too much bother with them coming in, but when I take the lid off to put something in I have to cover my face as they just swarm out. I'd love to get rid of them too.

[doglady]

We feed some of our reptile pets on raw veg and we always have fruit flys around the house. It's horrible. We buy them to feed our frogs on and they always get out and start breeding in the leftover food. Quite satisfying to squash them. At least our ones can't fly (genetic engineering!!). I hate their horrible red eyes looking at you.

Yuck.

Sorry I wasn't much help with stopping them getting into your house. May I suggest a pet frog to gobble them all up.

[Batterseadog]

You can't help having them, I have the same thing with my wormery but I take the lid off and my pet ducks have a feast pecking away at them until they disperse. If you hang a bird feeder close by, the birds will eat from that but also, will use the composter for their supply of insects. You have to move the compost to the furthest point away from the house, I get none in the kitchen now. Good luck