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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) |
#2
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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 |
#3
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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. |
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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. |
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Confused about compost (and tiny flies)
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#6
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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 |
#7
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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 |
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Confused about compost (and tiny flies)
®óñ© © "°'°-°" wrote:
Many people advise against trying to compost banana skins. Why? Peter |
#9
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Confused about compost (and tiny flies)
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#10
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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. |
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Confused about compost (and tiny flies)
"Peter Robinson" wrote in message ... ®óñ© © "°'°-°" wrote: Many people advise against trying to compost banana skins. Why? Peter Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana. David. |
#12
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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 |
#13
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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 |
#14
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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! |
#15
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Confused about compost (and tiny flies)
On Thu, 9 Aug 2007 20:15:24 +0100, dominic Lucas wrote
(in message ): I have the same problem, small flies and wasps (anyone know why wasps would hang around compost bins?) Hi. Having sat and watched the wasps for some time this year my conclusion is that all wasps are insane. Their behaviour makes no sense at all- they fly around like demented idiots most of the time. I watched one repeatedly settle on a splotch of dried somethingorother on the outside of a compost bin, only to fly off about a foot, zigzag wildly from side to side, then settle again and repeat the whole process multiple ttimes. Now that's productivity! They seem to love investigating irrelevant things that offer no nutritional, reproductive or other payoff. 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 Now that's a good idea. I do that to redress other compost problems anyway, so I'll ry it for this too. , also, when putting food waste in, cover it with papers, other weeds, anything not food waste. Good idea. 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. Are you sure it is actually cutting the grass? I think generally speaking, clippings are the expected by-product! (;-) Hope some of that helps, if you find an answer, let us know Dominic I'm going to use Bokashi composters now and get a new compost bin that will only take the Boksahi output. Fruit waste will only go into the Bokashis from now on. It is possible- I wouldn't put it any more strongly than that- that the flies won't like this pickled stuff nearly so much and may even leave it alone. We'll see. Thanks for the suggestions. -- VX (remove alcohol for email) |
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