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I use a Maze Compost Tumbler, which is a 2-sided rotary composter, to compost kitchen scraps. By volume, I add equal parts kitchen scraps, sawdust and peat moss whenever I add the scraps. It is rotated twice a day.

The lids on this composter are kept shut. It has vent ports which I keep closed. It is in a re-purposed stock trailer so it gets some sunlight, but not a large amount of it. However, I cannot put it outside the trailer because bears would break into it to eat the scraps.

The problem I am having with it is that it has become a breeding spot for Gnats. The compost is used in a vegetable garden, so I am not willing to use poisons to kill them. We placed a fan on it to blow the the gnats away, but if there is any decline in the population of gnats because of the fan, it is negligible.

Does anyone know a non-poisonous way to rid it of gnats?

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  • google.com/search?client=ubuntu&hs=XOa&ei=ASqWX-a5Derv9APi1oz4CA&q=compost+flies+solution
    – Keith McClary
    Oct 26, 2020 at 1:45
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    Welcome to Sustainable Living! How often do you turn your compost? And do you bury your scraps?
    – THelper
    Oct 26, 2020 at 7:27

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Gnat's are attracted to fruit, if that's what you're putting in the bin, you've identified the problem. One way is to Freeze your fruit/vegetable scraps in the freezer, this eliminates their odor, then shred em in a blender/food processsor. Mix it deep in the pile so bugs cant get at it.

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  • Yes, I am putting fruit skins/scraps into the pile. Starting the freezing process now. Thank you.
    – Bookaholic
    Oct 26, 2020 at 15:14
  • LazyReader's observation about gnats being attracted by fruit proved true. We discontinued adding fruit scraps to the bin and within a few days observed a dramatic reduction in the gnat problem. We think once all the present gnat eggs have hatched, that the problem will be eliminated.
    – Bookaholic
    Nov 2, 2020 at 14:50

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