Bob – sorry again for the delay. As mentioned in another recent comment, the camera I use is nothing fancy – it’s a 5 megapixel Canon Powershot A530. Basically a decent ‘point and shoot’ digital camera. For worm shots etc I will typically use the macro setting, which seems to help (although not in the case of this shot).

Patricia – thanks for the tip about the bag traps. I will keep my eyes open for those.

Christine – I don’t think the traps would be considered ‘eco-friendly’ in terms of their biodegradability (if that’s even a word – haha), but they are certainly a lot more eco-friendly that various other ways to get rid of insects, and certainly won’t take up much room in the garbage once they are finished (ie completely loaded with flies).

Eve – that sounds like an interesting idea. I have heard of one other person using sticky traps on the inside of their bin, but have never actually tested this out myself.

Mary (and others with ‘ewww’ type reactions) – One of the things I love about blogging (and receiving comments) is that it really provides a valuable dose of perspective in terms of the way that others see the world. Being someone who has been fascinated with all manner of ‘creepy’, ‘gross’ things since I was a little kid, it wouldn’t even occur to me that fly paper covered in dead flies would be repulsive in any way – although my wife was more than happy to enlighten me in this department when she saw the photo.

You can also get the sticky goop on cardboard rolls with little plastic ends they have a hook so you can hang them up but i have laded them down inside the bin with the plastic ends sitting on small wood blocks.

Works wonders keeping the flies from getting outside the bin. Not 100% successful but i have had them so covered with fruit flies and gnats that they stopped working. I get mine at a farm store.