Fruit Flies in my composter

[CawMama]

We have a counter composter (for in between trips to the big one outside). It just keeps getting over run w/fruit flies. Any suggestions on how to control this issue?

[CrunchyParent]

YES! (and I keep meaning to write a blog post about this, but haven't gotten around to it). Here's a site that will give a pretty good outline for how to make a non-toxic fruit fly trap.

[ASusan]

I would cover the composter with a cloth (like part of an old t-shirt or pillowcase), and secure it with a rubber band. This allows air to circulate, but keeps the flies off it. You may also have to trap the flies that are still hanging around. At one point, we even kept a trap in the composter.

[CawMama]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!! I'll go make a trap right now, and put a cloth under the lid.

[ASusan]

Another quick trap is to put some sweet substance (juice, wine) in the bottom of a medium-sized glass and invert a funnel over it. They go down through the funnel but can't get out. Most drown. You can also use a bottle of wine that has some wine at the bottom, but I think they escape the upward funnel of the top of the wine bottle better than they do the inverted-funnel-over-a-jar.

[MiaPia]

I just fill a shallow dish with apple cider vinegar and put in a chunk of banana peel or soft fruit. They flock to it and then drown.