[Rhuby]

Seems like all summer I've had a swarm of pesky little flies in my compost, everytime I open the lid out they come!! How can I get rid of them please!!!!

[mushroom]

if they are what I think they are, then you don't want to kill them - they are helping your compost heap turn into compost. The little flies apparently feed on the fungus that grows when you stuff rottable material into the compost bin.

[WG.]

A compost heap should really be too hot for them (fruit flies) to live in.  Maybe if you turned the heap, incorporating soft green material, manure, comfrey, straw, etc.

Covering the heap also helps - something permeable like an old rug maybe.

[mushroom]

A compost heap should really be too hot for them (fruit flies) to live in.  Maybe if you turned the heap, incorporating soft green material, manure, comfrey, straw, etc.

I thought fruit flies are irridescent whereas the compost flies are tiny blasck things?

[muntjac]

i leave em alone .tyhe swallows love em they sit on the side the box and just peck em out the air lol

[Annie]

Or put a small layer of grass cuttings on the top of the heap,this will also help heat it.

[Rhuby]

hey guys thanks for your advice. I think I need to turn it all. Though I have a recycled plastic composter due to rats getting in my open compost bin. So this should be great fun turning the full thing upsidedown!!!