Why Do We Have Fruit Flies in Our Worm Bin?

by Paris
(UT)

We have been trying to vermicompost for months now but we keep getting fruit flies in our bin. It’s cold where we are in the winter so I’m not sure the worms could survive outside. What are we doing wrong? Are flies a normal part of vermicomposting?

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Dec 06, 2011
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Two Easy Solutions to Fruit Flies in a Worm Bin
by: Compost Junkie Dave

Hi Paris,

This is one of the most common concerns when starting a worm bin, however, it doesn’t have to be this way. There are two easy solutions…

1. Make sure your worm bin is covered or has a lid.

2. Make sure you cover/bury your food scraps well enough in the worm bin. We always provide a thick layer (several inches) of shredded paper on top of our worms, especially over the location of the most recent feeding. Fruit flies love exposed, rotting food. Remove this from their radar and they’ll disappear.

If these don’t fix your fruit fly concern, please let us know.

Apr 25, 2014
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Getting the Flies out of your house
by: Nora

Once fruit flies invade, you can set traps for them. Put some water in a jar or dish, add some apple cider vinegar and some dish soap. They go for the vinegar and then drown. When they all seem to be gone, dump the contents.

Jun 15, 2014
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White worms
by: Rick

I have dozens and maybe several hundred fairly large white worms about 1 inch long and maybe an eighth of an inch in diameter they almost look like large maggots is this good for my compost bin?

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