Compost Toilet Gnats Removal

[Carat]

When I was using Cocopeat, I had no bugs. Life was good. Until a very rainy day, I left the vent open on the deck and water infiltrated the solids tank. I removed some of the mess and added Sorghum peat. Head was never the same after that. I ended up with a gnat infestation. I tried diamacious earth, in luck. Ended up dumping it all, cleaning, and starting over.
Purpose of this thread is inform compost users that the eggs are sticky and they are up in the crevices. Simply emptying the tank and restarting won't help. The eggs need to be completely removed.

My compost is a Nature's Head. It has a lip all the way around with vent holes. The eggs were way up in there. I used a powerful spray nozzle to break them loose. It took a long time because of their location. ******* bugs. Also, clean out the vent and fan screens. They get it in there, too.

The dumping process wasn't too gross. My compost was on the verge of being too wet. When I first started, it wasn't excessively moist, a bit on the drier side than what I ended up with. Although the odor was like dirt when I dumped it out of the tank, I prefer my compost a little drier. It gets too wet and it is hard to turn and looks gross...something you don't want your fanny near.

Hope this helps.

[john61ct]

Originally Posted by Carat

looks gross...something you don't want your fanny near.

Just FYI in the rest of the world that means vagina, not buttocks.

[Carat]

[QUOTE=john61ct;2709678]Just FYI in the rest of the world that means vagina, not buttocks.[/

You mean fanny? Well OK. How about ass? Is that acceptable?

[goat]

Either way you don't want it near gnats......

[pcmm]

Originally Posted by john61ct

Just FYI in the rest of the world that means vagina, not buttocks.

No, fanny means butt. where the heck are you that "fanny" means that????

[Mike OReilly]

Funny tangent. Thanks for the info. I've always used coir, and have had good results. I've heard that peat can be a source of bugs.

[fxykty]

Originally Posted by pcmm

No, fanny means butt. where the heck are you that "fanny" means that????

Australia and New Zealand that I know of. Originally from Canada, I would generate lots of laughs and sometimes offensive looks when I referred to my fanny pack, so now it’s a bum bag.

[john61ct]

Sorry I assumed it was across the Commonwealth. Found out when I mentioned spanking my daughter's fanny, almost got arrested 8-)

Rooting is another.

[pcmm]

Originally Posted by fxykty

Australia and New Zealand that I know of. Originally from Canada, I would generate lots of laughs and sometimes offensive looks when I referred to my fanny pack, so now it’s a bum bag.

We’ll you guys do calll “flip flops”. Tongs. Which around here (Canada). Sounds a lot like beach wear! We always get a laugh out of that.

Anyway I have a C-head and use a bug repellent stick in the head. But my “media” is coir. Works really well

[hellosailor]

"We’ll you guys do calll “flip flops”. Tongs."
In the US we sometimes call flip-flops "thongs".
Same as the shoestring underwear.

Whereas a "tong" is either a kitchen utensil or a Chinese criminal gang.

[Uncle Bob]

Originally Posted by john61ct

Sorry I assumed it was across the Commonwealth. Found out when I mentioned spanking my daughter's fanny, almost got arrested 8-)

Rooting is another.

I'm guessing that you are from downunder or were originally.

[Simi 60]

Originally Posted by hellosailor

"We’ll you guys do calll “flip flops”. Tongs."
In the US we sometimes call flip-flops "thongs".
Same as the shoestring underwear.

Whereas a "tong" is either a kitchen utensil or a Chinese criminal gang.

Never heard them called tongs before but what would I know, I only live here and wear them (-;

[JPA Cate]

And, for those of you who are interested in composting toilets, there's this thread: http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...tc-201172.html

[owly]

I've had good luck using Permethrin to suppress drain flies, as well as other insects. Permethrin is a synthetic derivative of the natural insecticide produced by chrysanthemums and marigolds. Longer lasting and more potent version of Pyrethrin. It is used in treating clothing for outdoor wear in parts of the country where ticks are a problem, and considered safe.. for what that's worth. I use a one of two products. Atroban and Permectrin. They are quite potent. I prefer not to spray, but rather to apply with a brush, but most folks spray. I use it around windows and lights, and anywhere flies of any kind congregate. They will pick up a fatal dose by walking on it. It is also deadly to bees and wasps / hornets, and so should be used judiciously where pollinators and other useful bugs are desired.It unfortunately has no effect on folks who play loud music late at night, or dogs that bark incessantly, or troublesome bureaucrats.



H.W.

[Capt. Ray]

In the UK too. PLEASE Stateside folks, no NOT use the word "Fanny" in Europe or any British Commonwealth country...!

Originally Posted by fxykty

Australia and New Zealand that I know of. Originally from Canada, I would generate lots of laughs and sometimes offensive looks when I referred to my fanny pack, so now it’s a bum bag.