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.
Steps
Expert Q&A
Tips
Warnings
- Always read the label when using an insecticide. Follow all listed precautions, including wearing protective clothing if necessary. [26] X Research sourceThanks
Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about getting rid of insects, check out our in-depth interview with Chris Parker .
References
- ↑ https://www.manualslib.com/manual/740895/Airhead-Composting-Toilet.html?page=7#manual
- ↑ https://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyPURL.cgi?Dockey=200044ES.txt
- ↑ https://www.natureshead.com.au/media/uploads/pdfs/natures_head_installation_manual_users_guide_2016.pdf
- ↑ https://www.manualslib.com/manual/740895/Airhead-Composting-Toilet.html?page=6#manual
- ↑ https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/less-toxic-insecticides/
- ↑ https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/less-toxic-insecticides/
- ↑ https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/less-toxic-insecticides/
- ↑ https://greywateraction.org/faq/what-do-i-do-if-flies-get-into-my-toilet/
- ↑ https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/less-toxic-insecticides/
- ↑ https://www.capitaldaily.ca/news/victoria-company-wood-waste-sustainable-composting
- ↑ https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/less-toxic-insecticides/
- ↑ https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/less-toxic-insecticides/
- ↑ https://qubeshub.org/community/groups/coursesource/publications?id=2650&v=1
- ↑ https://cat.org.uk/info-resources/free-information-service/water-and-sanitation/composting-toilets/
- ↑ https://www.manualslib.com/manual/740895/Airhead-Composting-Toilet.html?page=6#manual
- ↑ https://greywateraction.org/faq/what-do-i-do-if-flies-get-into-my-toilet/
- ↑ https://youtu.be/vM71d8wMuUU?t=618
- ↑ https://ecoflo.com.au/sun-mar/89-sun-mar-gtg/file
- ↑ https://youtu.be/5CdnVZkCKXU?t=145
- ↑ https://cat.org.uk/info-resources/free-information-service/water-and-sanitation/composting-toilets/
- ↑ https://watershedmg.org/sites/default/files/newcontent/poo-to-peaches-early-draft-web.pdf
- ↑ https://greywateraction.org/faq/what-do-i-do-if-flies-get-into-my-toilet/
- ↑ https://www.onthewaytonowhere.com/build/toilet
- ↑ https://watershedmg.org/sites/default/files/newcontent/poo-to-peaches-early-draft-web.pdf
- ↑ https://ldh.la.gov/assets/oph/Center-EH/envepi/Pest/Documents/Mothball_Fact_Sheet.pdf
- ↑ https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/less-toxic-insecticides/