Are Fruit Flies Bad For Compost?

While fruit flies generally don’t cause major problems for compost, they can be a nuisance. The flies lay their eggs in soft fruit and vegetables, and their eggs hatch into maggots in a few days. When they’re overly abundant, they can create problems in your garden.

To keep them at bay, bury your green waste in a bin with plenty of brown material. This will keep them from attracted to the compost and will help keep your bin odor-free. It’s also a good idea to separate your compost from your food scraps, as storing them all together can attract flies.

You can also try a simple fruit fly trap, which combines dish soap and vinegar. The dish soap changes the surface tension of the vinegar, which attracts the flies. Place this trap near the compost bin. You can also put some banana peels on top of it to keep fruit flies away. This trap works well, but it won’t completely get rid of the problem.

Another tip to keep fruit flies at bay is to bury your compost materials. This will keep the material moist and warm, which will help the composting process. Avoid placing banana peels directly on the compost pile, as this will attract fruit flies. Also, try placing them in a clear plastic container.