GOT . . . FRUIT FLIES?

 

Commonly known as Fruit Fly.
Technically known as Vinegar or Pomace Fly.
Scientifically known as Drosophila Fly.

Several weeks ago I started noticing fruit flies hovering over the fruit bowl on the kitchen counter. I didn't think much about it at the time. I had seen them there before on occasion, and when the fruit was gone so were the flies. All that has changed as of this week.


God made Fruit Flies to find fermenting fruit.

 A small swarm of Fruit Flies has taken up residence in our kitchen, and I have seen one or two in our bathroom and bedroom buzzing around. Need I say that I am not happy about it? Well, I'm not. I've been Googling Fruit Flies, and found some interesting facts about them . . . including ways to get rid of them. (Check out the link below for an excellent "how to" video.)

 http://video.about.com/pestcontrol/How-to-Get-Rid-of-Fruit-Flies.htm

I wanted to know just how they got into our home. I already knew they can "hitch a ride" in our fruits and veggies on grocery day. What I didn't know was that they can enter a house through window screens, or crevices around doors and windows.


Once they are inside, they will reproduce!

 They lay their eggs on the skin of very ripe, fermenting, and unrefrigerated fruit. Known for persistence once indoors, they don't need fruit to keep reproducing. They can breed inside slow-draining plumbing, or a sour sponge or mop.

The fruit fly population usually peaks in late summer and fall due to the abundance of harvested fruit. The good news is that these little pests don't live very long.



The key to prevention of infestations (swarms) is sanitation and removal of potential feeding sites. Here are 10 Tips to help win the war against the Fruit Fly -


1.  Dispose of any rotting fruit and vegetables.

2.  Empty and clean garbage and recycling cans.

3.  Take compost scraps outside.

4.  Replace old sponges, mops, and dishrags.

5.  Clean dishes immediately - especially juice glasses.

6.  Check potato and onion storage bins frequently.

7.  Set out vinegar traps in problem areas.

8. Give the kitchen a thorough cleaning.

9.  Fix slow drains and keep plumbing and garbage disposals free of organic matter.

10.  If you do your own canning, ensure the jar lids are sealed completely.

Allow me to introduce my new little friend.  :)

Homemade Fruit Fly Trap

You will need:  1/4 cup of vinegar, dish liquid, and a small bowl or jar.  

Pour the vinegar into the bowl or jar. Add several drops of dish liquid to the vinegar, then place the bowl in the area where you've seen the fruit flies, and wait for it to do it's job.

Fruit Flies are attracted to the smell of the vinegar, and will attempt to land on its surface. However, they'll be in for a surprise - since the dish liquid breaks the surface tension of the vinegar, the Fruit Flies will fall in and drown.  

Guess what?

I GOT FRUIT FLIES!  (39 to be exact.  :)

Fruit Fly traps - so cute!