15 ways to keep fruit flies at bay

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 16/10/2005 (7476 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

1. Set out a container filled with one-quarter cup vinegar and one drop of liquid soap. Place it in an area away from any open fruit.

2. Set a trap by filling a jar with overripe fruit. Insert a paper or metal funnel into the mouth of the jar. Flies can get inside but will not be able to escape.

3. Use sticky strips hung from the ceiling in areas near the kitchen to help catch fruit flies.

4. If left alone fruit flies will multiply at an incredible rate and lay up to 500 eggs a week. When searching for fruit fly breeding sources, remember that larva can survive in decaying organic areas. The first obvious place to check is fruits and vegetables that are stored in open areas. Also, recycling bins and hidden areas, i.e. behind the fridge and stove.

5. If you do set fruit out openly, place basil in fruit bowls to deter the little bugs. You can also plant pots of basil outside near entrances or windows.

6. Fill a small bowl with wine or apple cider vinegar (flies will drown in the solution).

7. Beer and soda attract flies. Either rinse the cans and drop into a sealed garbage container. Or set the containers on the counter as bait.

8. Set out a flytrap. Into a shallow dish pour a small amount of red wine. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and poke holes into the top so that the flies cannot escape.

9. When ripening tomatoes in your home, fruit flies may be a problem. Take a 600mL pop bottle and cut it round ways one-third of the way down from the top. Put an old tomato into the bottom of the bottle with a small amount of water. Take the top third of the bottle without the cap and turn it upside down and put it into the bottle (like a funnel).

10. Eliminate moisture around the sink because it is an attraction to flies. Wipe down all kitchen surfaces with pure vinegar.

11. Fruit flies can lay eggs inside drains. Pour a half-gallon of undiluted bleach down the drain and leave it overnight to kill eggs. This should be done when the windows are open or the house can be temporarily vacated.

12. Recipe for Fly Eliminator: Into a saucepan combine 1 pint milk, one-quarter pound raw sugar and two ounces ground pepper. Simmer for 8-10 minutes pour the mixture into shallow dishes. Flies will attack the food and suffocate.

13. Fruit flies can hatch in plant soil. Check the soil when you water to see if they are gathering around the pot. Put yellow sticky flytraps into the plants.

14. Do not over-water your houseplants. Let the soil dry up before re-watering. The flies will not produce eggs in dry soil.

15. Get rid of spiders, houseflies and fruit flies by combining a ratio of 10 drops Lemongrass Essential Oil to 2 ounces of water. Pour into a spray bottle and apply to plants, counters, sidewalks, doors and windows.

Special thanks to: Master Nikkel for the topic idea and tips.

rnerbas@mts.net

Question of the week: I just brought up my box of boots from the basement, and they smell musty. I have tried vinegar and they have been outside airing out for a couple of weeks now. It isn’t helping much. Any solutions?

–Sonia

Answer: Sprinkle the boots with baking soda and line the bottom of each boot with a fabric softener sheet. Next fill the boots with newspaper and let sit overnight. Another (less effective) solution is to freeze the boots in the freezer overnight.