Fruit Flies and Gnats in the Vermicomposter, worm farm and garden pesky buggers, here's how to control them.

"Be prepared for a few critters to find their way into your bin no matter what you do. A small population of fruit flies may be inevitable, although they are also harmless."
Amy Stewart "The Earth Moved".

Millions of creatures share the worm farm with our composting worms, most do no harm some are deadly to the prime occupants. Among the harmless inhabitants are Fruit Flies, although they pose no threat to the worms they are annoying to humans.

The difference between a Gnat and Fruit Fly.

Fruit Flies lifespan is about one week, in that short span of time they typically lay 500 or more eggs. The eggs are deposited on the skins of fruits and vegetables which is also usable for their undoing. There are some tasks we can perform to hasten their demise, as well as control their numbers.

1) All of the eggs are laid on the surface of the fruit and vegetables, before being introduced to the bins. Wash all fruits and vegetables completely prior to peeling and feeding to the worms.

2) Microwave the scraps for 2-3 minutes, making sure the food has returned to ambient temperatures before feeding to the worms.

3) Freeze the peelings, rinds, and fruit, it will destroy the eggs as efficiently as microwaving. Freeze until it is solid, overnight in the freezer will accomplish that. Thaw completely before adding to the worm farm.

4) Cover the top of the bin with bedding, shredded paper, moist coir, or a combination. It will discourage the flies from laying eggs on the hidden fruit and tailings but still allowing air and moisture.

5) If the infestation is in a verticle bin, place the second bin on top as if encouraging the worms to migrate upwards. Cover the bottom of the top bin with cardboard blocking the holes on the bottom, the flies will not be able to penetrate that barrier.

6) Cover the worm farm with a light breezy piece of fabric,  it will prevent the flies access to the feeding boxes while preventing them from escaping from the inside of the bin.

There are other means to discourage and eliminate the infestation when it gets to a catastrophic level.

* Sticky fly tape, place a few close to the bin area, the flies will get trapped in them.

Cut the top off of an empty water bottle, leave the cap on. Pour
1 inch of Apple Cider Vinegar in the larger lower portion.

Punch a series of holes in the lid, I like odd numbers
so I punched five holes. One to five holes, don't poke
more than five.

* Build a trap, there are several ways to accomplish this, using them in coordination with other methods is effective for management. It is best to keep a Fruit Fly and Gnat trap near the bins at all times. The goal is to trap them before they have a chance to lay their eggs in the vermicomposter. Traps are easily built, I detail one method as follows.

1) A container is needed, I have used water bottles (see the photograph), mason jars (the other photograph), and empty soda type of bottles.

2) Pour a measure of Apple Cider Vinegar into the container, then add a few drops of liquid dish soap to break the surface of the Vinegar.

3) Procure a funnel, make one out of paper, use a plastic one, or make one from the top of a plastic water bottle. If a water bottle is used leave the cap on it and punch 3-5 holes in it. The flies will climb through the holes and be unable to find them to get out, they will drown.

Flip the upper portion with the cap over and place it in the
larger lower section, it will work as a funnel, the flies will
not be able to escape.

A ziplock bag will work as well, simply drape the bag over the top of the container holding the Apple Cider Vinegar. Do not seal the bag, the pest will go beneath the bag to gain access. The weight of the bag will keep them from gaining their freedom, they are doomed.

Cover the container with clear plastic wrap, secure it over the top with a rubber band. Punch holes in the Saran Wrap, not overly large the flies do not require larger than 1/8 inch. Unable to find the small holes to escape they fall into the Apple Cider Vinegar and meet their demise.

Mason jars work also, use any size, punch some holes through the lid. One to five holes will suffice, pour Apple Cider Vinegar with a drop of dish soap. Replace the lid snuggly, it will trap the Gnats and Fruit Flies.

This is a small (pint) Mason jar, I punched three holes in this lid.

As they are swarming above the boxes grab the trusty shop vac and suck them into it. While lifting the lid have the vacuum at the ready and pull in as many as possible, if they hover near the bedding get them there as well. Exercise caution when removing the lid of the vacuum, the flies will most likely live through that ordeal. Waiting to empty the collector for 5 days should be long enough for the flies to have met their maker.

A small electric bug zapper will do the trick as well, purchase one for small insects, attracting the adults and causing them to fly directly into the trap at first sight.

Carnivorous plants will make a difference also, set a few near the bins, it will serve as a small part of the solution. Like death by a thousand paper cuts, it all helps.

Stop feeding the worms scraps, load the bins with cardboard, shredded paper, leaves, egg cartons, and egg shells. The fruit flies will have no place to deposit their eggs and search for greener pastures. After being certain the pest have vacated the premises, begin to feed them again, that is the time to continue proactively discouraging them. During this time tea bags and coffee grounds may be fed to the Red Wigglers, they will not attract the flies.

Sometimes impractical, but after the complications of managing, Bio-Controls do work when used in conjunction with others.

1) The bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis may be used to drench the bedding (or soil) to kill the larva.

2) Hypaspis miles a predatory mite that eats Gnat and Fruit Fly larvae

3) Predatory Nematodes called Steinernema spp, will kill the larvae.

4) Neem and organic oil available at most garden supply and big box stores may be sprayed to control the pest in and around the garden. It won't harm the worms, however, it may be detrimental to the well being of some of the beneficial organisms.

Using fruit in the traps is a poor choice to make, many people will advise us to us banana peels. The issue with that is the flies will continue to fly around in the container, stopping only to breed on the fruit. With no Vinegar, they will not drown.

Use food scrape containers while gathering food scraps in the kitchen. They typically have a carbon filter in the top, filtering out the obnoxious odors. Serving double duty the lids also keep the fruit flies from accessing the storage jars.

We use two jars, on the left is our fruit and vegetable jar, on the
right is where we place tea bags and coffee grounds.

Use only Apple Cider Vinegar, or Red Wine Vinegar in the traps, do not use White Vinegar as it will not work. The flies are attracted to the fruit in it, the drop of dish soap is critical.

This is the time of year for the infestations to begin, we all have at least a few of the pest. They are easily controlled once an upper hand is attained, after that it is merely a matter of management. Leaving an Apple Cider or Red Wine Vinegar trap set up at all times, sticky strips, a bug zapper, and maintaining the feeding of the worms should be effective in the eradication of the problem.

Thank you for reading and sharing this article, hopefully, I have brought to the surface some items you knew and some that are new to you. If you have some remedies I'd like for you to leave them in the comments. Thanks again.

jacquesandkate  EmergencyKitsPlus.com