Kimmsr, I don't think you read my original email. The maggots have only been in my pile on two occasions: directly from llama manure and now from my "slop" buckets that I left in the heat a few weeks because I hadn't built up my new working pile. But well, it seems like one has to come to expect the bloody Spanish Inquisition on this forum ;-) And the reason I tarped to try to kill the flies was because I have an "urban" pile with close neighbors parking nearby my pile, and intrusive city building department quick to send out letters. Anyway, this forum used to be more fun, I wish folks would lighten up.

What a treat. Guess I will have to try to remember for next January or Feb. We keep saying we are going to do that now that I know it is good I will put it on the back page of the 2006 calendar to do in 2007

Simply going down to buy "something" to spray is going to compound your problem which is an unbalanced ecosystem. Start by looking closely at your soil and get that in to a good, healthy condition so the plants that grow are strong and healthy and can ward off insect pests more easily. Never, ever simply toss something onto your soil in the hope that will do something, have a good, reliable soil test done to see what needs to be done other than adding lots of organic matter. Dig in with these simple soil tests to get to know what you have, and these will also help guide in what to do: 1) Structure. From that soil sample put enough of the rest to make a 4 inch level in a clear 1 quart jar, with a tight fitting lid. Fill that jar with water and replace the lid, tightly. Shake the jar vigorously and then let it stand for 24 hours. Your soil will settle out according to soil particle size and weight. A good loam will have about 1-3/4 inch (about 45%) of sand on the bottom. about 1 inch (about 25%) of silt next, about 1 inch (25%) of clay above that, and about 1/4 inch (about 5%) of organic matter on the top. 2) Drainage. Dig a hole 1 foot square and 1 foot deep and fill that with water. After that water drains away refill the hole with more water and time how long it takes that to drain away. Anything less than 2 hours and your soil drains too quickly and needs more organic matter to slow that drainage down. Anything over 6 hours and the soil drains too slowly and needs lots of organic matter to speed it up. 3) Tilth. Take a handful of your slightly damp soil and squeeze it tightly. When the pressure is released the soil should hold together in that clump, but when poked with a finger that clump should fall apart. 4) Smell. What does your soil smell like? A pleasant, rich earthy odor? Putrid, offensive, repugnant odor? The more organic matter in your soil the more active the soil bacteria will be and the nicer you soil will smell. 5) Life. How many earthworms per shovel full were there? 5 or more indicates a pretty healthy soil. Fewer than 5, according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service, indicates a soil that is not healthy.

I use the Cook's Illustrated pie crust with a few tablespoons of vodka (brought to our attention by Wizard) and I haven't looked back. I didn't look at all the recipes on the link, but I don't see any mention of that concept.