2.07.2013

Jar Love #6: Fruit Fly Pest Control

Jars are pretty. They hold pretty, pretty things. And pretty nutritious things. And then sometimes, they hold not so pretty things, yet they prove for the millionth time to be pretty darn useful.

Check this out.

For the past several months we've had a problem with flies. Tiny, red, pesky flies. Just buzzing around our house, particularly the kitchen and the bathroom. They were irritating to say the least, but they made me paranoid too. Is my house dirty? Are my cleaning skills not up to par? Do I have a problem?

Finally one day I got so fed up I went online and researched the little buggers. Turns out I did have a problem and that problem was called "fruit flies". Fruit flies are attracted to produce that is sitting on your counter. So I put the produce away.

But the flies didn't go away. So I did some more research. Fruit flies can be attracted to food remaining in your garbage disposal. So I was extra diligent in making sure the disposal was clean. And the counter was clean. And the kitchen in it's entirety was clean.

But the fruit flies remained. In my bathroom too. Which was void of produce and garbage disposals anyway.

Grr.

Finally I read that cider vinegar in jars placed in areas that are fruit-fly-infested will do the trick.

Jars, you say?

I prepared my jars, placed one in the bathroom and one in the kitchen, and in one week's time my home was fruit-fly-less! And still is!

In case you have the same problem, you will need:

jar
cider vinegar
aluminum foil

Pour cider vinegar (and it must be cider vinegar! Apparently the smell resembles rotting fruit, aka fruit fly crack) into jar. You don't need much. Just enough to drown the little buggers.

Place aluminum foil over jar opening. 

Poke ONE hole into foil. (When I first did this I poked several holes and soon realized the flies were just coming and going as they pleased. My husband had the insight to change the foil and poke ONE hole. This way the flies go in, but can't quite figure how to get back out.  Not the smartest link on the food chain.)

Place jars in kitchen and bathroom.

Change out cider vinegar every couple of days.

After a week you ought to be free of your fruit-loving pests! 

Jars save the day again!

11 comments:

Amy said...

We have a similar problem, and I have been so confused because it is winter and don't fruit flies come around mostly in the summer?! I am going to try this. Thanks!

Abbey Inn Hotel said...

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Unknown said...

By far it is the most popular and proven diy pest control control tip I've read till date.

Lucile Lynch said...

I also tried this idea, and it actually worked well. But I also use pyrethrum-based aerosol insecticide to kill adult flies. I also make sure that I immediately clean the dishes, especially wine or juice glasses, because these are great attraction for fruit flies. Then, I do thorough cleaning of the kitchen regularly. #Lucile Lynch

Unknown said...

Thank you for suggesting this! I have been researching for a way to get rid of fruit flies without having to use chemicals because it swarms over food. I always thought those flies stay around because of the sweet smell of fruits, but now I know it’s the rotting smell that attracts them. Thanks for that info too!

Bridgette Adair

Anonymous said...

Get eliminate their food--keep foodstuff store inside enclosed bundles or the freezer; take away dirt, particles & fat specifically from splits & crevices. Remember commercial dog food omitted as well as opened luggage quit within the washing room or perhaps garage.


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Unknown said...

I think it’s more like the apple cider vinegar that saved the day. This type of vinegar is known for many DIY-ers due to its many benefits like being an alternative to repelling bugs and as a cleaning agent. It’s good to know it worked for you. On the other hand, I don’t think it will work for all types of infestation such as termites and roaches. For that, you need a more pragmatic solution.

Joshua Harvey @ Invader

buyket said...

عندما يتعلق الامر بمكافحة الحشرات فلا مجال للاستهانه به لما له من اثر مباشر علي صحة الفرد والاسره بصفه عامه
حيث ان وجود او مجرد ظهور الحشرات بالمنزل يؤدي الي انتشار الامراض بالاضافه الي الخسائر الاقتصاديه التي تخلفها ايضا
لذا كان من الواجب علينا ضمان عدم ظهور تلك الحشرات مره اخري بعد مكافحتها حيث نوفر لك عميلنا العزيزي افضل
مكافحة حشرات بالخرج
مكافحة الفئران بالرياض
مع ضمان عدم ظهور تلك الحشرات كل ما عليك هو التواصل معنا

expertshelp said...

I really hate fruit flies, they are small in sizes and do not bite but they always make the place look very disgusting and horrible. I have to admit that seeing a way of controlling them just made my day, they have for a long time been a nuisance. Thank you for sharing, and if more of this kind of information would be available kindly share.
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ReneeVictoria said...

No doubt it is a very cool DIY to get rid of the flies, thanks for sharing the great experiment and easy-to-do method for house owners. Keep sharing more tricks
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Maple Pest Control said...

Your content about pest control and bugs is just amazing and informative.
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