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Confused about compost (and tiny flies)
I've been using a compost bin and putting all garden waste in them and also
kitchen waste that seems to be the same sort of thing, ie plant material only. This means in addition to prunings etc from the garden I also put in salad leftovers, vegetable scraps (uncooked), banana peel, rotten apples and apple cores, used teabags, and not a lot else. In warm weather there is a steady prescence of tiny flies in and around the bin, along with a few wasps. The tiny flies pose a real problem since windows are nearby- so I need to either stop using this type of composting, or if possible change what gets composted to remove the fly problem. But I have a feeling that these tiny flies will be hanging around whatever I put in the compost bin. They seem to hang around bags of commercial compost and even potted plants that are planted in compost! Can anyone clarify this for me- is there any restriction on what material I compost that would mean I no longer get these tiny flies in attendance? My confusion arises partly from the idea of "garden waste" versuns "kitchen waste"- if the latter is all uncooked vegetable matter like peelings (and I suppose the exception, cooked teabags), how can any other organism tell that it has been inside a kitchen? TIA for any insight. -- VX (remove alcohol for email) |
Confused about compost (and tiny flies)
On Thu, 9 Aug 2007 15:41:30 +0100, VX
wrote and included this (or some of this): I've been using a compost bin and putting all garden waste in them and also kitchen waste that seems to be the same sort of thing, ie plant material only. This means in addition to prunings etc from the garden I also put in salad leftovers, vegetable scraps (uncooked), banana peel, rotten apples and apple cores, used teabags, and not a lot else. In warm weather there is a steady prescence of tiny flies in and around the bin, along with a few wasps. The tiny flies pose a real problem since windows are nearby- so I need to either stop using this type of composting, or if possible change what gets composted to remove the fly problem. But I have a feeling that these tiny flies will be hanging around whatever I put in the compost bin. They seem to hang around bags of commercial compost Many people advise against trying to compost banana skins. Stick in some newspaper instead? -- ®óñ© © ²°¹°-°³ |
Confused about compost (and tiny flies)
"®óñ© © ²°¹°-°³" wrote in message
... On Thu, 9 Aug 2007 15:41:30 +0100, VX wrote and included this (or some of this): I've been using a compost bin and putting all garden waste in them and also kitchen waste that seems to be the same sort of thing, ie plant material only. This means in addition to prunings etc from the garden I also put in salad leftovers, vegetable scraps (uncooked), banana peel, rotten apples and apple cores, used teabags, and not a lot else. In warm weather there is a steady prescence of tiny flies in and around the bin, along with a few wasps. The tiny flies pose a real problem since windows are nearby- so I need to either stop using this type of composting, or if possible change what gets composted to remove the fly problem. But I have a feeling that these tiny flies will be hanging around whatever I put in the compost bin. They seem to hang around bags of commercial compost The flies are a natural part of composting. This site tells you all you need to know about this particular branch of gardening: http://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/orga.../compost_1.php but if you wish to do a deeper study go he http://tinyurl.com/2lop8m Regards, Emrys Davies. |
Confused about compost (and tiny flies)
In article , ®óñ© © ²°¹°-°³ writes: | | Many people advise against trying to compost banana skins. They are the sort of people who used to dry and smoke them. Regards, Nick Maclaren. |
Confused about compost (and tiny flies)
"Martin" wrote in message ... On 9 Aug 2007 15:44:48 GMT, (Nick Maclaren) wrote: In article , ®óñ© © ²°¹°-°³ writes: | | Many people advise against trying to compost banana skins. They are the sort of people who used to dry and smoke them. There are no flies on Nick :-) -- :-( No but you can see where they have been :-( Mike -- The Royal Naval Electrical Branch Association. 'THE' Association if you served in the Electrical Branch of the Royal Navy Reunion Bournemouth August/September 2007 www.rneba.org.uk "Navy Days" Portsmouth 25th - 27th July 2008. RN Shipmates will have a Stand |
Confused about compost (and tiny flies)
|
Confused about compost (and tiny flies)
In article , ®óñ© © ²°¹°-°³
writes On Thu, 9 Aug 2007 15:41:30 +0100, VX wrote and included this (or some of this): I've been using a compost bin and putting all garden waste in them and also kitchen waste that seems to be the same sort of thing, ie plant material only. This means in addition to prunings etc from the garden I also put in salad leftovers, vegetable scraps (uncooked), banana peel, rotten apples and apple cores, used teabags, and not a lot else. In warm weather there is a steady prescence of tiny flies in and around the bin, along with a few wasps. The tiny flies pose a real problem since windows are nearby- so I need to either stop using this type of composting, or if possible change what gets composted to remove the fly problem. But I have a feeling that these tiny flies will be hanging around whatever I put in the compost bin. They seem to hang around bags of commercial compost Many people advise against trying to compost banana skins. Not me. Stick in some newspaper as well -- steve auvache A Bloo one with built in safety features |
Confused about compost (and tiny flies)
"VX" wrote in message s.com... I've been using a compost bin and putting all garden waste in them and also kitchen waste that seems to be the same sort of thing, ie plant material only. This means in addition to prunings etc from the garden I also put in salad leftovers, vegetable scraps (uncooked), banana peel, rotten apples and apple cores, used teabags, and not a lot else. In warm weather there is a steady prescence of tiny flies in and around the bin, along with a few wasps. The tiny flies pose a real problem since windows are nearby- so I need to either stop using this type of composting, or if possible change what gets composted to remove the fly problem. But I have a feeling that these tiny flies will be hanging around whatever I put in the compost bin. They seem to hang around bags of commercial compost and even potted plants that are planted in compost! Can anyone clarify this for me- is there any restriction on what material I compost that would mean I no longer get these tiny flies in attendance? My confusion arises partly from the idea of "garden waste" versuns "kitchen waste"- if the latter is all uncooked vegetable matter like peelings (and I suppose the exception, cooked teabags), how can any other organism tell that it has been inside a kitchen? TIA for any insight. -- VX (remove alcohol for email) The little flies are part of the process but one of those black bins with a lid that seals and we only see them when opening the bin to put more kitchen waste in, never seen wasps near mine so cant comment on those. -- Charlie, Gardening in Cornwall http://www.roselandhouse.co.uk Holders of National collections of Clematis viticella and Lapageria rosea cultivars |
Confused about compost (and tiny flies)
®óñ© © "°'°-°" wrote:
Many people advise against trying to compost banana skins. Why? Peter |
Confused about compost (and tiny flies)
|
Confused about compost (and tiny flies)
In article , ®óñ© © ²°¹°-°³ writes: | | Dunno. Some say banana skins will not break down to compost unless | chopped up *very* finely. | | Others say they're no problem. | | What works for you, end of the day, innit. You have to be careful with wormeries and other fancy systems, but a traditional heap will break down almost anything that is subject to rot. Some things take a bit longer than others, that's all. After beef and 'lamb' bones, avocado and peach stones are the most resistant kitchen waste, and I compost all of them. Regards, Nick Maclaren. |
Confused about compost (and tiny flies)
In article m,
VX wrote: I've been using a compost bin and putting all garden waste in them and also kitchen waste that seems to be the same sort of thing, ie plant material only. This means in addition to prunings etc from the garden I also put in salad leftovers, vegetable scraps (uncooked), banana peel, rotten apples and apple cores, used teabags, and not a lot else. In warm weather there is a steady prescence of tiny flies in and around the bin, along with a few wasps. The tiny flies pose a real problem since windows are nearby- so I need to either stop using this type of composting, or if possible change what gets composted to remove the fly problem. But I have a feeling that these tiny flies will be hanging around whatever I put in the compost bin. They seem to hang around bags of commercial compost and even potted plants that are planted in compost! Can anyone clarify this for me- is there any restriction on what material I compost that would mean I no longer get these tiny flies in attendance? My confusion arises partly from the idea of "garden waste" versuns "kitchen waste"- if the latter is all uncooked vegetable matter like peelings (and I suppose the exception, cooked teabags), how can any other organism tell that it has been inside a kitchen? TIA for any insight. I have the same problem, small flies and wasps (anyone know why wasps would hang around compost bins?) the flies don't fly very much, they seem to give up after about 3ft, and head back to the compost. The wasps may well be drawn by other composted items, like old raspberries. So far the only was I have found of reducing the problem, is covering the compost with a thin layer of soil from time to time, also, when putting food waste in, cover it with papers, other weeds, anything not food waste. One thing that might work is put the household compost out, then mow the lawn! Unfortunately I can't comment on that one, my lawn mower doesn't produce clippings. Hope some of that helps, if you find an answer, let us know Dominic |
Confused about compost (and tiny flies)
"dominic Lucas" wrote in message ... In article m, VX wrote: I've been using a compost bin and putting all garden waste in them and also kitchen waste that seems to be the same sort of thing, ie plant material only. This means in addition to prunings etc from the garden I also put in salad leftovers, vegetable scraps (uncooked), banana peel, rotten apples and apple cores, used teabags, and not a lot else. In warm weather there is a steady prescence of tiny flies in and around the bin, along with a few wasps. The tiny flies pose a real problem since windows are nearby- so I need to either stop using this type of composting, or if possible change what gets composted to remove the fly problem. But I have a feeling that these tiny flies will be hanging around whatever I put in the compost bin. They seem to hang around bags of commercial compost and even potted plants that are planted in compost! Can anyone clarify this for me- is there any restriction on what material I compost that would mean I no longer get these tiny flies in attendance? My confusion arises partly from the idea of "garden waste" versuns "kitchen waste"- if the latter is all uncooked vegetable matter like peelings (and I suppose the exception, cooked teabags), how can any other organism tell that it has been inside a kitchen? TIA for any insight. I have the same problem, small flies and wasps (anyone know why wasps would hang around compost bins?) the flies don't fly very much, they seem to give up after about 3ft, and head back to the compost. The wasps may well be drawn by other composted items, like old raspberries. So far the only was I have found of reducing the problem, is covering the compost with a thin layer of soil from time to time, also, when putting food waste in, cover it with papers, other weeds, anything not food waste. One thing that might work is put the household compost out, then mow the lawn! Unfortunately I can't comment on that one, my lawn mower doesn't produce clippings. Hope some of that helps, if you find an answer, let us know Dominic Where ever there is compost there will be insects trying to get in there.They don`t bother me outside,but wouldnt like them inside so to keep them to a minimum only use a indoor composter with a secure lid and give it a wash when you empty it.I also find that kitchen paper towel/any ripped up paper helps.A composter without a lid you will always have a problem. Cheers Keith PS i tried smoking dried bannnas when i was about 16 ,they did seem to give me a buzz at the time.But i am not so sure wether they did ,it was probably that lovely summer evening chilling with my mates when my parents went on holiday and left me homealone for the first time! |
Confused about compost (and tiny flies)
At one of the local schools they have the up turned shuttle cock type
composters for putting their fruit waste into. It was full of flies. The secrest it the ratio of firmer material that contains more carbon rather than the sappy stuff - like grass. If you can get hold of strawy material or even coarse sawdust this will help. Another trick is to have a piece of old carpet over the surface. The one thing this style of bin does not allow for is the contents to be mixed. Darlac have a gadet that is a shaft with a couple of folding "wings" that come out of it. Seems to do a reasonable job, but can't beat getting in with a fork and turning it all over I have a compost bin that is about 1m square. It takes all the kitchen waste (meat scraps, citrus waste and onion skins go into a Bokashi bin). My brother is a joiner and he gives me the contents of his planer by the bag full. Mixed in with grass clippings their woodyness breaks down into a usable mulch in 4 weeks. Good luck Clifford Bawtry, Doncaster, South Yorkshire |
Confused about compost (and tiny flies)
VX wrote:
I've been using a compost bin and putting all garden waste in them and also kitchen waste that seems to be the same sort of thing, ie plant material only. This means in addition to prunings etc from the garden I also put in salad leftovers, vegetable scraps (uncooked), banana peel, rotten apples and apple cores, used teabags, and not a lot else. In warm weather there is a steady prescence of tiny flies in and around the bin, along with a few wasps. The tiny flies pose a real problem since windows are nearby- so I need to either stop using this type of composting, or if possible change what gets composted to remove the fly problem. But I have a feeling that these tiny flies will be hanging around whatever I put in the compost bin. They seem to hang around bags of commercial compost and even potted plants that are planted in compost! Can anyone clarify this for me- is there any restriction on what material I compost that would mean I no longer get these tiny flies in attendance? They are fungal flies and they live on the mould that occurs during decay. You need to be careful that you are not not growing any pot plants nearby as these flies are also attracted to the compost in them. You then get hundreds of tiny translucent maggots in the compost which attack the roots of the pot plants. |
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