Getting rid of fruit flies

[Josh W]

I went to St. Louis this past weekend, and when I came home, a few dozen fruitflies had taken to a banana I had in my fruitbowl. The banana wasn't too over-ripened, but they liked it nonetheless.

I've cleaned thoroughly, put all food away, and came up with the brilliant idea of putting orange wedges in bottles/cups to attract the flies. I then cap/cover the bottle/cup, and throw the flies out in the dumpster.

The problem with this is that there now seem to be more and more flies, and I'm losing ground.

I don't wanna have to get an exterminator, but may resort to that. Does Raid or any bug spray work? What about fly paper?

Anybody ever have to deal with something like this, and do so with any success?

Thanks,

Josh

[ZBTHorton]

I had the same problem, I used to throw massive parties at my house every weekend and couldn't get rid of them.

I had a similar idea as you though, except I put glasses of beer around the house and that killed them.

The best advice I can give is to just be inhumanly clean for 2 days..and they should slowly go away.

[dblgutshot]

I had a similar problem, I went nuts with raid and yes it does work, but be careful not to go overboard with it in areas you sleep or have pets, just to be safe I think.

[Dynasty]

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...and came up with the brilliant idea of putting orange wedges in bottles/cups to attract the flies.

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Putting out food to attract bugs hoping that you'll "catch them all" is not a good strategy.

[stigmata]

Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana.

[Blarg]

I've found things like leaving open beers or sodas can kill a lot of them, but probably more of them feed away and then run off to go reproduce.

Bug-bombing your house does seem to help.

I'd suggest checking your screens for holes, and being especially careful about leaving standing liquid around. Bugs can find food easily, but water is much harder for them to find. So don't make it any easier on them.

I've also found that flypaper can work very well, but it won't eliminate them, and makes a mess and is inconvenient.

Also, making sure all dishes are washed right away, and keeping your food-type garbage always in a plastic bag you keep sealed up helps. Basically, clear away all standing food or liquid.

[DarkForceRising]

[ QUOTE ]
Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana.

[/ QUOTE ]

[img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

That reminds me...

It's ok to give a nun a hug. Just don't get into the habit.

[canis582]

fyi, for some reason they love to gather and have sex where something is fermenting. Remind you of another species?

[Josh W]

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I'd suggest checking your screens for holes

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Is that a joke?

Seriously though guys, thanks for the help.

Josh

[bosoxfan]

The advice here will work well for fruit flies too.