Asked on Jun 19, 2017

Indoor compost bin keeps attracting Fruit Flies- what can I do?

Sonnie
by Sonnie

I have a small bin in my kitchen with holes in it that has a biodegradable /disposable liner. I put my fruit and vegetable scraps in it when I am cooking. The only problem is it attracts fruit flies. Any ideas for how to get rid of them? I have thought about putting in the cupboard under my sink but I am worried that it will attract mice.


  12 answers
  • Pamelalounsbery Pamelalounsbery on Jun 19, 2017

    It will be a continual problem. Fruit flies are not easy to get rid of since they lay their eggs next to their food source. The best thing to do is to move your bin to the garage or outside.

  • Cin21825342 Cin21825342 on Jun 19, 2017

    I have the same countertop bin as you and I empty it into a Homer bucket that I keep outside my kitchen door. That keeps the flies inside the house away and then I empty that bucket every week into my compost pile.

  • Linda Sikut Linda Sikut on Jun 19, 2017

    Create a trap by mixing apple cider vinegar with a few drops of dish soap or left over red wine. Put it in a jar or plastic glass, cover with plastic wrap and poke a few holes in the plastic wrap. The fruit flies are attracted by the aroma and want to get in, but once they get in, they won't be able to get out and they will die.


    Good luck!

  • Jewellmartin Jewellmartin on Jun 19, 2017

    And that's the nature of compost. Everything rots, get chewed up and pooped out, boils at low heat, releases gasses, breaks down, and attracts insects and rodents. It's part of the circle of life, just concentrated. I don't know how tall your kitchen bin is, but you might find a cake cover or other dome that would keep the flies out except when you are cooking. Best wishes 😇

  • Denise Brown Denise Brown on Jun 19, 2017

    I have to agree with the Jewel. I have a composte bin that I keep in the backyard away from the house because of insects. You need to find a way to cover the hole when you are not adding to it if you to keep it indoor.

  • Anna Anna on Jun 19, 2017

    The apple cider vinegar that Linda S. described above works like a charm.

  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Jun 19, 2017

    compost bins should only be outside

    • Sonnie Sonnie on Jun 19, 2017

      Reply to Janet Pizaro...it is not a true compost bin. It really just holds items for a short period of time until I dump it in our "real" compost bin. It looks like this: and is smaller than a shoe box.

  • Wanda sinnema Wanda sinnema on Jun 20, 2017

    that metal type has 2 mesh black charcoal filters in the lid.. you need to change them every few months or at least wash them in hot soapy water and dry.. you can get them at most hardware stores.. as for the fruit flies.. I leave a partial glass of a light and fruity wine ( small plastic pop bottle or iced tea bottle works great) on the window sill it works great.. I change it every few days.. I usually buy the TRADER JOES cheap one if nothing leftover.. found this trick one evening when I forgot to recork some wine from dinner.. it was nasty the next morning !

  • Kmdreamer Kmdreamer on Jul 07, 2017

    put outside

  • Mogie Mogie on Apr 03, 2023

    Put the bin out in the garage or even car port. Compost involves stuff decomposing and that means it will smell and attack bugs. You don't want to attract mice also.