How do I control the flies around my compost heap?

[Jessiebean]

THe weather has warmed up here and the flies are everywhere already- is there a trap or similar I can make to control the population without upsetting the compost heap or the beneficial bugs?
I have found a few DIY trap instructions but would love it if someone can let me know what has worked for them!

[Urban Ayisha]

perhaps yr compost is a little too wet? u could try adding scrunched up newspaper and cardboard. not sure about making a trap though!

[MuddyWitch]

Encourage spiders?!!

MW

[Jessiebean]

I don't think the compost is too wet it is not soggy, just a bit moist...I have been adding some newspaper whenever I add kitchen scraps I have been adding moisture as well as there were many ants and it seemed a bit dry to me...sigh! it seems rather complicated! my "flytrap" I made yesterday only caught a few ants:(
ETA.. are flies a problem in the UK? They are a big Aussie pest but I don't know if the other hemisphere suffers as badly?

[Millymollymandy]

Jessie are you talking about little fruit fly type of flies which come out of the compost heap/bin itself (which is normal), or regular flies like the kind that you see all over horses and cattle in summer? That kind are just as much a problem in Europe too, though it rather depends where you live (countryside!) and whether you've got livestock nearby - and obviously they are worse in hot weather. We have outbreaks of them indoors in the autumn for some reason but apart from that we're fairly fly free in this house, thank god!

Anyway back to the compost heap - is it covered up? That should keep the regular flies off the compost and then you can trap all you like.

[Jessiebean]

I am talking about regular "yuckky" fllies- we have many ferment flies (the little ones with red eyes) but I don't worry about them.
I will just try covering the heap with something I guess!
Indoors Autumn flies hey? that sounds annoying!

[Millymollymandy]

The worst thing is that they are hatching out inside the house somewhere...... then I have to vacuum or pick up a load of dead bodies under the window area. These aren't coming in from outside as it's the 2nd floor of my house which is rarely used so the windows aren't opened much!

[bonniethomas06]

Me too MMM, they love my bathroom, which means lots of dead ones in the bath

[Millymollymandy]

Just so long as you don't share the bath with them!

[MKG]

Hmmm. I have very few of the "meaty" kind of flies around the compost. Perhaps you're putting something into it which is attracting them? If you can work out what that is, then pre-compost it in sealed bags before adding it to the heap. Also, is the heap getting up to a working temperature? It should be verging on uncomfortable to the hands in the middle, and if it's uncomfortable for you, it's certainly going to be no-go for a fly.

Mike

[Jessiebean]

We don't prepare any flesh at home so there are no "meaty bits" for flies to feast on, would eggshells be attracting them?
I don't think it is at a working temperature yet .. I am trying to fugure our some good ways to get to do the right thing but the manure and urine options would seem to me to bemore attractive to flies to my way of thinking (at least until working temp is acheived...)
I am planning on building another bay so this (fly ridden) heap can age but I need to get it bigger and hot first!
Things are decomposing and there is lovely hummusy (hmmm not the chickpea puree.. the nice soil I can't spell) stuff but I don't think it is really "composting" yet...
SIGH!

[MuddyWitch]

Ooooo I wish my compost smelt of hummus!

My compost attracts flys if I put rotting spuds on & they have skins, but I wouldn't call them flesh! It may be some flys just like rotting vegetation. I've heard of vinegar flys but not vegan flys....

*get's coat*

MW

[MKG]

I would have thought that if it smells like that, then everything is just tickety boo.

So - you might be right. Maybe it's the eggshells. Make sure you bury them rather than leave them on the surface, and see if that makes a difference. Apart from that, I wonder what chocolate-coated flies taste like?

Mike

[Jessiebean]

Great, I have vegan flies! It might be the spuds.. although they have mostly taken it upon themselves to grow around the edges... I will have a poke around and ensure any new eggshells are buried...
Choc coated..flies?. or candied perhaps?

[A&A]

I'd agree that if you can find the source of what's attracting them then you can bury it deeper in the pile in future. I had a problem with Hornets this year (added too many rotting figs/plums in one go). Whilst I have nothing against them, they are a bit unnerving when they fly at you. After burying the fruit deeper, they all but moved on. Of course my Italian neighbours think we're just crazy creating these heaps in the first place ;)