Whether you are a fly fisherman or not, no one likes Fruit Flies buzzing their food and beverages. With fresh produce coming into season, folks need to protect their health by dealing with the flocks of buzzing Drosophilidae!
Fruit flies are red eyed, 1/8 inch long small, winged insects that carry pathogens, bacteria, and cooties. E-coli, salmonella, listeria, are just a few of the germs that could affect your health. These dangerous flies only live 8-15 days, but the females can lay 2,000 eggs a few times during their lives. It takes 2 days for the eggs to hatch!
If you have an infestation in your kitchen or camp, you need to address them. They are attracted to the scent of fermenting foods that contain sugar. Empty booze bottles are prime targets. So is moist produce, food counters, and decomposing plants or food.
Keep your food areas clean. Flies can travel miles to find your rotting food paradise. Here are some ideas on how to get rid of your Fruit Fly problem. You will see them hovering around plants, fruit baskets, and sinks. These are the areas to target.
I have had great success at camp using almost empty beer or booze bottles. Any jar, or can, will do. Add some wine vinegar and a few s=drops of dish soap. The dish soap weighs down the fly’s wings and removes the liquids surface tension. If the fly lands on the liquid, they sink immediately. If you don’t have any vinegar at camp, just leave some beer or wine in the bottom of the bottles or containers. Now add a few drops of dish soap. Cover the opening with saran wrap and poke a few holes in the tight plastic cover. Once the flies get into the chamber, they are done.
A small bowl will also do the trick. Use ½ cup of wine vinegar and soap. Cover tightly with plastic wrap. Use a fork or sharp pencil to poke some 1/8th inch holes in the membrane. The vinegar is irresistible to the flies.
You can also use sticky traps, funnel traps, and commercial traps. All traps will need some care and maintenance. Change the juice every few days and add some fresh. In a few weeks, the infestation will be history.
Now you just need to keep your areas clean and food scraps/fruit covered. Trash cans also need to be emptied often. If you save fruit and vegetable scraps, use a covered container. A big Folgers coffee can work well.
Carnivorous plants will also feed on fruit flies. Venus Fly Traps, Pitcher plants, and sundews will reduce fly populations naturally.
You can also make a spray using water and a few drops of dish soap. Spray the flies on sight. The soap will weigh down their wings and they will crash. Don’t forget to clean your sinks and drains. Usually, hot water will do the trick.
Fruit Flies Be Gone!
Montana Grant
