Our kitchen was invaded by fruit flies a few weeks ago. Even after removing all fruits and vegetables from the counter and storing them (yes, even the tomatoes!) in the fridge, there were still clouds of them on the counter, cupboard doors, etc. just waiting for the lid of the compost bucket to lift.
I tried putting some apple cider vinegar in a bottle to see if that would lure them in but that wasn't particularly effective it seemed. I tried a large flat dish but that was even less effective. What finally did the trick was covering the mouth of the bottle with a double layer of plastic wrap (from some grocery store produce), securing it with an elastic band, and poking a small hole in it with a bamboo skewer. Within 24 hours the majority of the fruit flies were trapped in the bottle.
I'm considering living dangerously and putting the tomatoes back on the counter.
10 comments:
Don't you just hate the little invaders?!
However here's a little tip . There are two places they usually hang out...not on the fruit and veggies but in houseplants...actually the soil- just scratch the surface of the soil and let it dry out a bit ...gone.
The other haunt for fruit flies is the kitchen drain...yes , it's true . Tonight , pour a little vegetable oilinto the drain and plug the sink ...both sides for a doublr . In the morning rinse away with hot water . Problem solved.
@thepowmill: Thanks! I like the oil idea. I might just give that one a try tonight. The houseplant soil treatment you mentioned is also a good way to get rid of fungus gnats.
/k
Live dangerously indeed...Thanks for the tip.
@Sev: :)
Great idea! We get a few fruit flies now and then within flying distance of our compost bucket. I will definitely be trying this next time!
@Shannon Marie: Let me know how it works out for you. The swarm(s?)in my kitchen have now dwindled to "a couple". Mind you, I've given up on keeping any fruits/vegetables on the counter -- refrigerated tomatoes, ugh!
Poor fruit flies :)
@Gio: Yeah, gotta say I feel the same way. If only the flies & I could reach an agreement about which fruit on the counter was for them and which was for me...
Oh, I am SO remembering this trick!
Put a couple drops of dish soap in the cider vinegar, so when they land they sink. It, the soap, breaks the surface tension to the point where they drop in and drown. Otherwise, they land and take back off,
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