Compost question

[newgardengirl]

I have a "dalek" style composter in which I've been putting fruit/vegetable scraps, grass, bits of cardboard and stuff. It's starting to get fruit flies - is there anything I can do?

Also because of the way the garden was dug, the composter is right in the middle of the vegetable patch (don't ask!) Considering the fruit flies, does this mean it's a bad idea to have stuff planted around it? Have I done it all wrong?

[nick the grief]

I wouldn't worry NGG. They won't hurt anything. as to the siting - that'll be fine as well.

[Alison]

Fruit flies can be a pain, to deter them you can make sure any fruit that you put on the compost is covered so that it doesn't give the flies anywhere to land and lay their eggs. Isn't perfect but it helps. You can cover it with a bit of soil / cardboard or whatever.

[Flummery]

When you empty it to use the compost you'll have a really well nourished (I daren't say fruitful!) bit of soil underneath too!

[Madasafish]

I used a quick fly spray several times early in my dalek use. Works but they came back. I don't bother now .. they can live with the worms, woodlice and slugs and all make compost:-)

[JennieAtkinson]

I had alot of flies around and in, mine last year, but I wouldn't know if they were fruit flies (sort of white little things?). Anyway I just learnt to live with them and they seemed to come and go and haven't actually done any harm (well noticeably anyway!).