Fruit fly fury

[omehgosh 736]

Hi Amelia

 

I'm a little late to this thread, but here's my two cents anyhow...

 

Not only do you have to get rid of fruit, vegetables or whatever, but you also have to get rid of the water. Don't even leave a damp dish cloth, put the plug in your drain, move any plants to a different room - don't leave any water for them at all.

 

Even if you clean everything up and disinfect, the flies can persist - you have to get rid of all the water too.

 

It could take a week or so, but if you're vigilant with everything they will disappear.

[dirkgently 1778]

I prefer going old school. You can still buy those pull out sticky strips, they work great. We get them once every year (some time in August) and they work perfectly. Just hang a couple up, in a couple of days they will be gone.

[Loki318 1631]

I use a bowl trap:

 

Pour some red wine or balsamic vinegar in a bowl, cover it with plastic wrap, and poke a bunch of small holes in the plastic (a toothpick or something equally small). The flies can get in, but can't get out.

 

Happy hunting!

 

 

I works better with fresh berries like raspberries or black berries

[Alpha Male 177]

Fruit Flies Home Remedies

 

a) Remove Overripe Fruit:

 

One of the easiest ways to deter fruit flies is to avoid leaving overripe or damaged fruit in the open. If you have a habit of using a bowl of fruit as a decorative centerpiece or kitchen table staple, don’t forget to periodically inspect the condition of your fruit.

 

b) Rubbing Alcohol:

 

To rid your kitchen of annoying fruit flies, fill a fine-misting spray bottle with rubbing alcohol [2]. Using just a little mist of the alcohol puts them out of their misery. They fall to the floor, where you can easily sweep them up. Parents tend to favor this method because it provides a much safer alternative to insecticides.

 

c) Apple Cider:

 

Set a trap that a fruit fly cannot refuse by filling an old jar to the halfway point with apple cider. After punching a few holes into the lid, screw on and place in any room within your house. The fruit flies are allowed to enter the jar, but will not be able to escape.

 

d) Basil:

 

Placing a pot of basil on a windowsill or table where fruit flies frequent will help lessen the number of fruit flies.

 

e) Soap:

 

Did you know that dry soap can act as a repellent for fruit flies? Simply sprinkle a little bit in garbage cans and anywhere else the pests like to hover about.

 

f) Lavender

 

Use lavender to deter fruit flies. A couple of suggestions include scattering the herb about your home, distributing oils in a burner, or hanging bunches of lavender close to open doors and windows. You may also repel the pests by soaking a sponge in a saucer filled with lavender oil and setting in a room where fruit flies frequent.

 

g) Mind Your Mess:

 

Fruit flies are also attracted to soiled sponges; old, damp dish rags; as well as food and drink spills so mind your messes and don’t let your garbage overflow if you wish to control your fruit fly problem. Also, fruitflies require damp or moist conditions in order to thrive and propagate within the home. It is for this reason that the are often seen in bathrooms. Run your bathroom fan while and after showering, and wipe down shower walls after showering as well. Not only will this deter fruit flies, but will also help prevent the presence of mold and mildew, which fruit flies are attracted to.

 

h) Wine Trap:

 

Fill a saucer with white wine and add a bit of detergent to it. Leave the saucer in a room where fruit flies frequent. They will sip on the wine and expire due to the wine causing ‘gut rot’ in pests.

 

i) Clean Your Kitchen:

 

Since fruit flies are attracted to mold and moisture, keeping your kitchen clean is a must. Even the slightest sign of old fruit pieces, peels, and open fruit act like a beacon for these pests.

 

j) Open Your Window:

 

Fruit flies dislike the cold and wind, therefore open your windows to allow fresh air to circulate throughout the room.

 

Think that covers it.

[Guest W***ledi*Time]

... are you guys related??

 

omehgosh:

 

 

dirkgently:

[omehgosh 736]

No... Why does everyone keep asking that? I don't get it. I don't see any resemblance at all.

 

He's all black and white and sketchy looking... and "dirkgently", really? What's that all about? Douglas Adams? Seriously? What kind of a geek references Douglas Adams?

 

:wink:

 

Besides, I'm much better looking.

 

:lol:

 

... are you guys related??

 

omehgosh:

 

 

dirkgently: