[Community_garden] Fruit Flies in Worm Bins

[yarrow at sfo.com]

Here's a wild idea.

I have compost bins, not worm bins. If I notice a bunch of flying 
insects when I open the bin (in warmer months), I add a layer of 
coffee grounds or shredded newspaper, and I no longer see them. Since 
coffee grounds are free for the asking from coffee shops, I tend to 
use coffee grounds more often.

I assume that the flying insects are looking for moist places to lay 
eggs, so adding a layer of dry newspaper sends them elsewhere, and 
the coffee grounds either mask the odor of the rotten fruit 
underneath, or else do not appeal as an egg-laying substrate. Worms 
do like coffee grounds, though I don't know how much is too much.





>I've been plagued by fruit flies in my worm bins for a couple of 
>years.  Have twice completely cleaned them out and started over. 
>Finally, this winter, I think I may have found a remedy.  I have a 
>programmable thermostat and I set it to 55 degrees down from 60 
>degrees at night.  Now, I no longer have fruitflies. 
>Coincidentally, I also don't have any spiders anymore.  I don't 
>really mind the spiders but I think it has just gotten too cold at 
>night for them.
>Judy Hainaut