What is the best way to ward off small flies from a compost container?

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  1. thumbi7 profile image69
    thumbi7posted 11 years ago

    What is the best way to ward off small flies from a compost container?

    The containers where we throw kitchen waste for composting always attract flies. Is there a way to keep them away without damaging the composting process?

  2. profile image0
    Justsilvieposted 11 years ago

    A friend recommended adding old newspaper or scrap paper to make it dry out!

    1. thumbi7 profile image69
      thumbi7posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I remember reading somewhere that the ink used in newspaper printing can be harmful to the compost. I don't know whether it is correct...

    2. The Dirt Farmer profile image88
      The Dirt Farmerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Shredded newspaper would be great! Just don't use the color supplements as they may contain chemicals that aren't good for plants. Try to keep the balance of green & brown about even. If the balance is good, your compost won't stink or attract fl

  3. punacoast profile image100
    punacoastposted 11 years ago

    Flies, maggots, earthworms are normal part of the composting process.  They help breaking down (by eating away!) the waste faster and more completely.  I hope your compost bins are outside, i.e. in your garden or backyard.  Just keep a balance of wet and dry kitchen wastes, and NEVER throw meat products (cooked or uncooked) into your compost mix.

  4. DrMark1961 profile image100
    DrMark1961posted 11 years ago

    Those people that tell you that list of things you cannot add to your compost (like cooked meat) are JUST regurgitating things they have read on the internet. You can compost any organic material, but if it is not done correctly it will attract vermin and flies. If you are composting wet materials they MUST be covered adequtely with a high-carbon dry substance, like straw, wood chips, peanut hulls, etc. You can also use soil, or if you have several compost piles next to each other you can even use old compost.
    To compost milk, meat, and other things that will  attract vermin, the compost heap has to be covered. You can use a trash can type  bin with a good lid, or a barrel type composter.

    1. thumbi7 profile image69
      thumbi7posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for answering the question. I live in an apartment and do not have the scope of getting straw, wood chips or peanut hulls. I have only one container which is kept on the balcony behind. Can I add newspaper shreds to the pile?

  5. thumbi7 profile image69
    thumbi7posted 11 years ago

    Thanks everyone. These answers are very helpful for a beginner like me in "composting and planting"

 
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