There is an old saying that,"There is no such thing as one cockroach." Well I found that applies to fruit flies also. There is no such thing as one.
A couple of years ago I had a battle with gnats or so I thought but I now think they might have been fruit flies. At that time I did discover a really neat trap that involves apple cider vinegar and dish soap.
It worked marvelously then for my dozen or so flies. Thought all was fine, then recently I noticed the flies returning. This time I was pretty sure they were fruit flies as I had seriously added fruit to my daily meals.
My meal each night was pretty much the same. Half a banana, half an apple, a few cantaloupe balls, a few cashews, half a granola bar and a glass of Ensure. It was my light meal since I eat my meat and potatoes at noon.
I learned the flies come into our houses from the grocery store. Bananas in the fruit bowl and cantaloupe on the counter ripening, etc were their nesting places. Banana peels and cantaloupe husks in the garbage their meal.
I was surprised when I learned they came with the fruit but was glad at least the stores don't charge extra for them:)
This time they took over. I was infested. Just eating a meal was a challenge for the varmints would fight me for the food on my plate. Pretty sure I didn't accidentally eat any though I checked and evidently they will not harm you and surely they aren't fattening. They are so tiny.
I put my handy traps out and while they killed a lot of them, they didn't stop the infestation. One female can produce 150 babies. Yikes.
Then I decided I had to starve them. I planned to hide any food from the pests. All fruit went into the fridge. I used ziplock bags to secure every bit of garbage before putting it in the garbage can.
Seems like a lot of work but there is only me so it just became my new normal. It took about a week of starving them but it has worked. I have been completely fly free for a solid week and am loving it.
I hope you never have this problem but if you do, know there is a solution. Starve them. It was a tough battle but I won.
Patti I gotta tell you I'm impressed and it's not just from kicking those flies butts. The traditional meal at noon and then your fruit and Ensure dinner sounds so healthy. I want to do this too, do you have a regular time you have that last meal?
ReplyDeleteDoug,
DeleteFor a long time I have eaten the big meal at noon. I have only been on this fruit kick for a few months and I usually eat around 4:30. Trying to be heart healthy.
I havn't seen a fruit fly here in years, Patti! I think growers are using more pesticides. My current pests are Asian Lady Beetles looking for places to overwinter. My vacuum cleaner and nighttime lamps over water bowls deal with them.
ReplyDeleteFlorence,
DeleteProbably my fault for buying Organic produce and fruit.
I had those Asian beetles one year in my guest house but so far they have gone elsewhere since I plugged a small gap in the door.
I remember having them in the past, but none this season:-). Glad you figured out a way to get rid of them!
ReplyDeleteDjan,
DeleteHope you stay fly free. I know , it had been a few years since my last bout. Think it is because I switched to Organic produce and fruit.
Glad you got rid of them. I have definitely had them in the past and don't appreciate them as tenants what so ever.
ReplyDeleteSuz,
DeleteAgreed. They really can be annoying for such tiny creatures. Pretty sure I inhaled a few.
I feel the same way about fruit flies. A couple of years ago I was annoyed by them, so I began to keep a large, empty yogurt container on the inside door of my freezer. I drop all fruit skins, pits, etc., inside the yogurt container and just empty it into the garbage can right before I take it to the curb for trash pickup. Presto! No more fruit flies.
ReplyDeleteNina
Nina,
DeleteThat is really clever and wish I had thought of that. That would save on all the zip lock bags also. Thanks so much.
My nemesis is/are microscopic ants!! Some seasons are worse. Everything has to be sealed and stored in refrigerator. Isaiah doesn't appreciate cold kibbles & bits. 😂
ReplyDeleteAnni,
DeleteKnow what you mean. Those little tiny ants:( I use the ant baits and they handle the problem quickly.
We haven't seen any fruit flies here, but if we do I will remember your winning battle strategy. We do have an invasive Argentine ant thing every fall and winter. Every night clean off the counters in the kitchen and bathroom and then spray with a mixture of vinegar and water. They hate that. We love it!
ReplyDeleteRobin,
DeleteDon't know if we have that species of ant but I have filed the vinegar spray idea away just in case. Good to know what really works. Thanks.
I've had fruit flies this fall too so there is a container of apple cider vinegar and dish soap on the windowsill. Every time I think I'm rid of them, they show up again - I do keep my bananas on the counter so I suspect that's where they are coming from. Thankfully I haven't seen swarms of them...annoying little critters.
ReplyDeleteHope they've got the hint at your house!
Eileen,
DeleteI wish I could keep my bananas out for I really am not fond of cold bananas. Hopefully by keeping the vinegar and dish soap out you will keep the numbers manageable. I have kept that solution out all week and so far no new bodies.
Wow, that's incredible! I love your diet, by the way. It's very healthy. I should eat more fruit, myself.
ReplyDeletegigi,
DeleteThank you. I like it because it is light, healthy and easy to fix and eat. Finger foods.
I hate fruit fllies. hubby is a fruitaholic and hates them cold. I will try the baggie and garbage bag though. Thank you!
ReplyDeletePeg,
DeleteI feel for Rick for I am not wild about cold bananas. However, if you limit their food source, that should do the trick.
I had those little ants (odoriferous ones) and they were a pain to get rid of too. Fruit flies are awful! When my daughter, son-in-law and grandson were temporarily living with me, there was a LOT of fruit around for SIL's smoothies. I started seeing the flies and immediately required that he store all his fruit in the refrigerator. As you noted, once they get settled in, there are hordes of the pesky critters! Glad you are free of them!
ReplyDeleteMargaret,
DeleteI get those ants occasionally. They usually come in around the windows. I found liquid ant baits really work well. The fridge is the safest place to store fruit. They can become invasive in no time otherwise.
I don't know if I have a lot of gnats or fruit flies or just a couple that follow me around. I read they can also come from houseplant soil and I did bring my plants in recently. No fruit stored on the countertops. I'm going to set a dish of apple cider vinegar and soap out overnight and see what
ReplyDeleteJean,
DeleteI had read that about houseplant soil too. They also get their water from those too. That cider vinegar and dish soap really works. Good luck.
Good to know, Patti. We keep our apples and banana out on the kitchen table... and I haven't noticed any fruit flies. I keep the apples there for the first 3 days then put them in the refrigerator. But I do get maybe gnats?? around the kitchen sink where I keep a plastic bag lined ceramic cannister to put in egg shells, etc.
ReplyDeleterinse out the eggshells and store that canister in the fridge or freezer to keep the bugs away.
DeleteRian,
ReplyDeleteI really can't tell the difference between gnats and fruit flies. They are so tiny. As long as they have access to food, they will hang around and multiply. I'm going to adopt Nina's idea to put a container inside the fridge door to put pits, skins and egg shells in till garbage day.
I've had fruit fly infestations previously that I think came from house plants. I no longer bring outdoor plants inside. I like the freezer tip and will use it if I have a problem with fruit attracting the flies. Bob and I are seeing moths inside occasionally, but we have no idea where they're getting in. We notice them at night when they fly on hour lit Kindle screens in our dark bedroom.
ReplyDeleteBarb,
DeleteI've heard house plants can be a source. Haven't had any moth problems---yet. Guess they are attracted to the light.
We've had a few fruit flies this end of summer, but not close to an infestation. If I see them I check any produce ripening on the counter to see if it needs to go into the refrigerator.
ReplyDeleteLinda,
DeleteHope it just stays a few. Seems like you are keeping on top of it.
I discovered the fruit flies on my succulant plants recently -- after my efforts at starving them like you did was not doing the job. Aargh!!
ReplyDeleteOlga,
DeleteTry the cider vinegar and dish soap. It won't eliminate them but it will keep it manageable.
You're a tough customer. We've had battles in the past with lady bugs and with stink bugs. In both cases, the bugs won.
ReplyDeleteTom,
DeleteHa, you would think with our massive brains we could outsmart small insects. I found with the lady bugs you just have to find out how they are getting in and plug it. Good luck.
This is one reason I never buy organic, the other reason is the higher $ price. I have always, ALWAYS, kept fruit in the fridge, taking it out about an hour before I want to eat it, so it gets to room temperature. The cantaloupe should be ripe when you buy it, there should be no need to ripen it on the counter.
ReplyDeleteRiver,
DeleteOrganic may cost more but they aren't laced with pesticides and sadly here, it is rare to get a ripe cantaloupe unless you grow it yourself.
Smart to keep your fruit in the fridge.
I've decided the gnats come with the bananas. If I put plastic or foil on the stem end, they don't seem to hang out. Had to use a fly sticky strip to catch one reading stuff on my PC screen. He finally banged into the strip! Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteLinda,
DeleteInteresting in that lately all my organic bananas come with the plastic on the stems. I hear that will also keep them from over ripening.
I don't have fruit flies but I do have drain flies. I cannot put my drain in the refrigerator. Usually my drains are plugged up at night but if I forget, the little buggers invade again. I might try the apple cider vinegar and dish soap on them.
ReplyDeleteGranny Annie,
DeleteI thought for a while I might have drain flies and invested in an expensive eco friendly drain cleaner. Turns out I didn't need it but I guess I am ready if drain flies attack:) Good luck.
Dear Patti, you intrepid and ingenious warrior of fruit flies. Thank you for sharing your solution to this recent infestation and thank you, also, for always writing a posting that bring forth from me an emotion--laughter or compassion or an understanding of the human condition that you write about so well. I am amazed that week after week you come up with a new topic that draws me in. Always. Peace from Dee Ready
ReplyDeleteDee,
DeleteThank you so much for the kind words and glad my blatherings don't bore you. As for the flies, when they wanted to become dinner guests, they got my dander up. I wouldn't quit till they were GONE. Ahhh.
You are awesome and determined, Patti. I wish you'd come to Hawaii and help us with pigeons too. I always thought fruit flies were bigger. (But I looked it up and yes, they are teeny.) Gosh! That would be so annoying. I know we had fruit fly infestations in Hawaii which damaged a lot of our fruit crops. I will try to remember your remedy. Thank you!!! And Happy Halloween!
ReplyDeleteKay,
DeleteAs determined as you two are, I am sure you will eventually solve the pigeon problem.
Have a fun Halloween.
Along with the vinegar traps while starving them, those electric tennis racket like swatters will zap them. Can't swat them with hand or regular swatter but the electric ones will zap them in mid air.
ReplyDeleteI did have that problem at the other apartment. Wish I had thought of this trick then. Good share.
ReplyDelete