I think the only way to eliminate the flys is to stop composting!! they may be compost gnats rather than fruit flies, as fruit flies would rarely get their prefered feed from a worm bin - other than the possibility that the grounds will form a dry crust on the bin [which you will disturb by adding food to the bin], I doubt they'll do the trick - one possibility, depending on your particular bin, is to cover it w/ a thick layer of fine weave fabric to prevent them from getting in, and hope they'll thin out - never leave completely tho' cuz they have a great sense of smell!!

Bill

I just beat quantity with quantity. I didn't set out 4 traps, I set out 40. I set traps IN the bins, cups of beer, whatever. I still have traps set, but they don't catch much as I rarely see a fly. On the other hand, I haven't used much fruit lately! It might just be luck.

I used the color yellow, the funnel, the hole in the jar lid, the pickle juice, and everything else mentioned here and elsewhere. The only thing I didn't do was vacuum them (only because temporarily I can't lift or move a vacuum. But it sure would feel good----like guerrilla warfare!

Good luck....can you microwave your scraps first?

Miz B

I actually think the flies are coming from inside the food scraps under the castings.... if that's possible. I couldn't see more than a couple fruit flies walking around on top of the castings last night in the first bin. When I pushed the castings aside to look underneath though, hundreds of fruit flies spurted from inside. :-O

I have three large traps set out right now. I'll add more when I get home. Just those few usually have at least 50 flies in them by the end of the day.

I just might try the vacuum trick! That sounds like fun :) Beware the Dustbuster of Doom!

I never thought of microwaving the food first. Would that actually kill the fruit fly eggs? If so, how long do I need to microwave it?

The last group of food was completely pureed and left to sit in a sealed plastic bag for over a week before placing in the worm bin.

I had a large fruit fly problem several months ago. I finally solved it by not feeding for a week and making sure the top layer of my bin was covered with at least 2 in. of FRESH bedding. I didn't put the cider traps inside the bin as worms were also attracted to it.

I left 8 oz. jars of cider vinegar mixed with hot water and a drop of dish soap out for about a month until the flies were gone.

good luck!

yes fruit flies do/can originate from eggs that were on the fruit when you brought it home - that's how they appear in your kitchen sometimes!! and they'll be laying more eggs anywhere a bit of food is available - it's all Pandora's fault! :)

Bill