It's that time of year again....the time when peaches are in season, apples are delicious and fruit flies stalk us like we are their prey. All it takes is one night where you forget to take out the compost or you leave an apple core on a plate on the counter. You wake up and it is pure mayhem in your kitchen. Obviously everyone knows how to prevent getting fruit flies in the first place but let's be realistic...we are all going to get them every year so here are some green ways you can get rid of them. I have tried most of these over the years so I have put them in the order of what I find to be the most effective.
Soap and Vinegar - I put some vinegar into a shot glass and then add a few drops of dish soap on top. They say that apple cider vinegar works best but I have seen great results with balsamic and red wine vinegar. Perhaps I just have fancy fruit flies? You are probably wondering how this works? Magic! Or maybe science....so the fruit flies are all 'OMG look at that vinegar, I love me some vinegar' and they fly into the shot glass to enjoy its bounty. They think they can land on the vinegar but when they try the dish soap breaks the surface tension of the vinegar and BAM the fruit flies fall in and drown.
Fruit in a Jar - I take a piece of fruit that is a bit too ripe (like a peach or apple) and put it into a glass (I prefer clear so I can see the action). I then cover the glass with plastic wrap and secure the sides with an elastic. The top has to be very tight so it doesn't look like there is anything there...you want the plastic to act like a ninja barrier. Then poke some tiny holes into it using a pin or toothpick. Now sit back and watch as the fruit flies fly in but can not get out. You can then release them outside if you want to. Tip - re-use plastic wrap from packaging
Cone in a Jar - I haven't used this technique but basically you follow the same instructions as Fruit in a Jar but instead of doing the plastic on top you make a cone out of paper (scrap paper people) secure it so it is a tiny hole at the bottom. Place this into the opening of the jar.
Okay I just did a quick google search to see if there were any other methods that I hadn't used that I thought would work and I came across this. Check your flour. That's where they hatch larvae. You are looking for shed larvae skins. They are light brown and translucent. W.T.F? Okay now I am officially grossed out.
How do you get rid of fruit flies? You totally want to go and check your flour don't you?
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That flour thing totally grossed me out too! Thanks for the tips, I've been wondering how to get rid of them.
ReplyDeleteGlad I am not alone in the gross factor!
ReplyDeleteI hate fruit flies and they love my tomatoes....Grr. I do the soap and ACV. Works well for me. I guess I have less fancy fruit flies...LOL
ReplyDeleteI think the flour thing refers to little flour beetles. The eggs are already in the flour when you buy it, but only hatch out if the conditions (humidity, etc.) are right.
ReplyDeleteI have had GREAT success w/ apple cider vinegar, water, soap. I leave a fresh "bath" out every night and in the morning its FULL. I tried the fruit w plastic wrap but I think it was attracting more, and it was messy and yucky to clean out. Red wine / soap also works well. They LOVE red wine!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for this advice because we seriously need it right now! And I'm totally grossed out about the flour thing too... ugh.
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up at Green & Natural Mamas Thursday again!
So many people are having fruit fly problems right now! Hope everyone is successful in getting them out of their house.
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Btw if you like please join the Treasure Trove Tribune! I think you will enjoy it!:0)
Thank you for your post! I have had fruit flies galore and I'm like Mr. Miagi now--my 2 year old knows exactly what I'm doing when he hears a loud clap and walks in and sees me clapping at seemingly nothing in the air! I am going to try your tricks.
ReplyDelete