Fruit Fly Remedy that Works
(Author's note: Not knowing what category to put this in, I deemed that "Gardening" was most closely related. If you think there is a better option, I will gladly entertain ideas.)
It is that time of year again, when I am noticing the bombardment from hundreds of small flying insects, which we all call "fruit flies." These annoying little pests seem to reproduce quicker than bunnies.
I find them mostly to be a problem in my kitchen, but also have noticed them in my bathrooms. I had the same issue with these little creatures in other places I have lived, and I used to see them coming up from the drains.
Of course, once they have started laying their eggs on any foods that you might leave out in a fruit bowl, it exacerbates the problem. Apples and bananas seem to be my biggest problems, and I find the apples seem to rot more quickly. I do not remember the same issues when I was a child.
I have also found a horrible problem in my garage, where I keep my trash and recycling bins, as there is nowhere else except on the front door step to put them in my housing area.
My daughter gave me a "recipe" last year to remedy the situation, and it actually worked remarkably well last fall. This year, it is working, but they seem to be more active lately.
I use several half-pint jars and put in about an inch-and-a-half of apple cider vinegar with a small squirt of liquid dish-washing detergent ; give it a stir. Then I set them around the areas where they are most problematic.
The fruit flies are attracted to the vinegar, and when they go into it, somehow the soap on their wings does not allow them to fly off and then they drown. After a couple of days, you should find the population greatly reduced. If you find them returning (eggs have hatched), you may need to pour out the old and put fresh vinegar-soap mixture out.
Last year, I started with three jars in my kitchen, and two larger ones in my garage. After three or four days, I saw a marked difference in the numbers, with just an occasional pest.
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© Copyright 2015 - Coral Levang. All Rights Reserved
FruitFlies | AppleCiderVinegar | PestControl | HomeRemedies
Image Credit » https://pixabay.com/en/fruit-flies-mexican-female-insects-520905/ by skeeze
Comments
wolfgirl569 wrote on August 8, 2015, 1:55 PM
I wish mosquitoes were that simple lol I dont seem to get too much problem from those in the house, just outside under the old apple tree
inertia4 wrote on August 8, 2015, 1:55 PM
I just hate bugs. I hate bugs of all kinds. In my yard, we have annoying flies and mosquitos. Along with the occasional diamond needle. I have not seen any bees or wasps this year. I find that somewhat strange.
CoralLevang wrote on August 8, 2015, 2:05 PM
Well, now you have remedy should you find it's a problem!
CoralLevang wrote on August 8, 2015, 2:05 PM
I do, too, especially spiders.
MegL wrote on August 8, 2015, 3:06 PM
We seldom get much of a problem with them here, though I have seen them occasionally, but when I worked in an office near thefruit market we got LOTS of them.
CoralLevang wrote on August 8, 2015, 3:08 PM
The ones that we get are very tiny, almost like gnats. The will often live in the drains. Ugh.
MegL wrote on August 8, 2015, 3:46 PM
We never used to see them when I was young but as more and more exotic fruit has been imported, I suppose they came with them. Of course, my middle child bringing some specimens home from Biology class couldn't have contributed to their appearance!
1sockii wrote on August 8, 2015, 4:55 PM
I do something similar, although I use a little bit of wine mixed with the dish soap and water instead of vinegar. I've found the flies are attracted more to the wine, when I've put glasses or jars of each out around my kitchen.
CoralLevang wrote on August 8, 2015, 4:58 PM
I use the apple cider vinegar with the must, so I suppose it's like the wine. I don't usually have wine around. Might give me a good excuse to starting drinking again!
inertia4 wrote on August 8, 2015, 6:40 PM
They are just very annoying. I know they are essential to the ecosystem. But I could live without bugs.
1cheri wrote on August 8, 2015, 10:38 PM
Thanks for sharing this tip my friend. This will surely help me.
CoralLevang wrote on August 9, 2015, 10:54 AM
I am glad, cheri ! I wish I would have known about this remedy when I lived in Guam.
AliCanary wrote on August 10, 2015, 1:17 PM
I'm glad you found something that works for you. Fortunately, we never seem to be plagues by fruit flies, probably because I keep most of the fruit in the fridge. But for some reason, if we ever get them, it always seems to be that one, exactly ONE, gets designated to fly constantly around my face, trying to go up my nose. If I kill it--and they are not that hard to kill, slow fliers that they are--another one takes its place. So, apparently fruit flies are like the Highlander or the Vampire Slayer...
DWDavisRSL wrote on August 10, 2015, 4:59 PM
We often have fruit fly problems around the sinks in the lounges at work. I will ask my custodian, should it become a problem this year, to give this remedy a try.
CoralLevang wrote on August 11, 2015, 4:04 PM
It really works well, but make sure it's apple cider vinegar. And I use Dawn dish detergent.
CoralLevang wrote on August 11, 2015, 4:05 PM
*laughs*