GARDEN GURU

QMy compost bin is full of fruit flies that bombard me every time I take off the lid. Is there a way of eliminating them, or are they simply part of composting?

Margaret Bond

AAs I think you’ve worked out, the presence of fruit flies is all part of the composting process. It’s possible to reduce the number of flies by turning over the surface layer every day for a week to kill their larvae and by burying vegetable peelings. Also, make sure that the lid fits snugly.

QI think mice are removing the flower heads from my crocuses. Do you have any tips on how to stop them? Steve Daulby

AIt might be mice that are to be blame, but rabbits and especially squirrels are known to decapitate crocuses.

Physical barriers set around your boundary will help to keep rabbits out, but it’s near impossible to prevent squirrels and mice getting in. My advice is to tolerate losing a few flowers but increase the numbers that remain by planting plenty of new bulbs on an annual basis.

QI’m looking for a pair of secateurs and wondered which type you think is best. Alfie Henderson

AI’d only ever use bypass secateurs (with blades that overlap like scissors), as they cut stems smoothly, while anvil secateurs (with a blade that presses down on to a flat surface) can crush soft stems.