Getting Rid of Flies and Ants in Compost Bin

By

HalfWhit

Don't put anything harmful like poison sprays or dusts, etc. Then it will be in your soil for whatever use you use the compost. Like the previous poster says, be sure you have no meat products, dairy products or oily things. Just vegetable, fruits and yard clippings. Shredded Newspaper is great too, not the funnies or extra "colored" papers. All your junk mail too (except the plastic "windows". Leaves, grass, pine needles, etc. are all good and necessary. Be sure to turn it at least once a week and sometimes add a bit of water to it. It will turn to a beautiful soil like mixture and smell wonderful - like an earthy rain smell.

By

mulberry204

Could you cover it temporarily?

By

quiltmum

Don't worry about the ants. They will help break down the compost. Here are some questions for you. What are you putting in your compost bin that attracts flies? No meat should go in. How close to the house is it? It shouldn't be right on your doorstep.

How often do you turn it? You should turn it once every week, especially if you have insects. This also helps break down the matter so flies have nothing to feed on.Try putting a bag of soil into it or a bag of sheep or cow manure. That will help break it down.

Remember: you should have approximately half green/wet compost and half dry compost. One half fruit and vegetable peelings, lawn clippings etc. the other half dried leaves and dried grass.

You could try a composter with a lid. That would also keep out the insects. Keep turning it and the flies should go away.

By

kffrmw88

I think ant spray will do the job. Maybe the compost will have worms in it later. Do research on them, good luck.