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If your compost toilet has a fruit fly problem, here’s how to get them to stop bugging you
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What do you do when you open the lid of your compost toilet and get swarmed by a cloud of tiny flying bugs? These vinegar flies (fruit flies) and fungus gnats are harmless, but they’re very annoying! They also breed at an alarming rate, so it’s important to act fast when you have an infestation. We’ve put together a list of eco-friendly cleaning and pest control tips to defeat the flies and make your compost toilet pleasant to use again. If you want to be extra proactive, try a fly trap option along with one of the insecticide products. You’ll be fly-free in no time!

Things You Should Know

  • Prevent flies from entering your compost toilet by replacing the vent screen with a finer No-See-Um mesh .
  • Eliminate eggs and larvae by disinfecting your toilet. Empty and rinse the toilet, then scrub it with diluted bleach. Douse non-electrical parts in boiling water.
  • Kill flies by turning off the fan and adding 5 cups (628 g) of diatomaceous earth to the toilet. Sprinkle more after each use until the infestation clears.
  • Capture adult flies by hanging sticky fly paper in your bathroom.
2

Spread diatomaceous earth in the tank.

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  1. Sprinkle 5 cups (.63 kg) of natural-grade diatomaceous earth to the tank. [3] Add a fresh layer every time the toilet is used until the infestation clears. [4]
    • Leave the fan off after application so the flies will land on it and meet their doom. Diatomaceous earth is made from fossilized diatoms. Although it looks like a soft powder, the material is very sharp for tiny insects! [5]
    • Only use diatomaceous earth that is labeled “food-grade” or “natural-grade,” not the kind used to filter swimming pools. The pool-grade powder contains more silica, making it more dangerous to use. [6]
    • Wear protective gear, including gloves, safety glasses, and a dust mask when spreading diatomaceous earth. The dust can irritate your lungs if it’s inhaled. [7]
9

Clean the toilet thoroughly.

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  1. [16] Put on gloves and a mask and completely empty the tanks. Rinse the unit, then scrub it using a stiff brush and a bleach solution. Finally, douse the non-electrical parts in boiling water. [17]
    • To make a bleach solution , mix 1 ¼ tablespoons of bleach (18.48 mL) with 1 US-quart (950 mL) of water in a spray bottle.
    • Keep the fan unit dry; carefully remove it before cleaning if possible. Otherwise, be very careful not to get the electrical components wet. [18]
    • Use a brush with stiff nylon bristles and a flexible wire handle to scrub your unit. It’s essential that you remove all of the eggs, and this type of brush allows you to get into all of the nooks and crannies.
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      Warnings

      • Always read the label when using an insecticide. Follow all listed precautions, including wearing protective clothing if necessary. [26]
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