Wheelie bin Composting Toilet - ideas to seal out vinegar flies

Discussion in 'General chat' started by futurefarmer, Feb 6, 2018.

  1. futurefarmer

    futurefarmer Junior Member

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    So we've gone ahead and built a composting toilet using wheel bins as the chambers, similar to this:

    https://www.milkwood.net/2011/04/18/compost-toilet-specifics-the-bins/

    It's been several years and the whole system is working really well, except that the seal between the wheelie bin lid and the bin isn't quite air-tight, and those tiny vinegar flies keep getting in.

    I need to be able to remove the bin lid when I rotate the chambers, so I can't silicone the lid on permanently.

    I've tried using bungee cords to pull the lid down onto the bin nice and tight, but it still has a small gap around the edge large enough for the vinegar flies to get in.

    I wonder if anyone has any ideas for a different way to seal the buggers out?
     
  2. Wild Apple Farm

    Wild Apple Farm New Member

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  3. songbird

    songbird Senior Member

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    i thought that the idea for composting toilets was to use enough dry material
    to cover in between uses so that flies would not be attracted?
     
  4. futurefarmer

    futurefarmer Junior Member

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    Ok thanks wild apple farm, I might give that a go

    Songbird yes you are right, but for us we still seem to get vinegar flies no matter how much dry material we put in.
     
  5. Wild Apple Farm

    Wild Apple Farm New Member

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    Let us know how you get along :)
     
  6. songbird

    songbird Senior Member

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    yes, i hope sealing up better does help. good luck. :)
     
  7. futurefarmer

    futurefarmer Junior Member

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    Found something similar to the foam filler that was suggested - a foam strip with adhesive on one side meant to be used as a door seal. $5 from bunnies. Have put it on and it looks promising....no flies yet! :)
     
  8. Wild Apple Farm

    Wild Apple Farm New Member

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