Fruit Flies

[mommytimes3]

Any tips on how to get rid of fruit flies? We have had some bananas go bad (within 2 days of buying them, must be the heat) and they were near the sink...now everytime I go to the sink I get bugs all over.
I have been keeping the drain clean, and my husband has poured bleach down...but nothing seems to work..

Any help?

TIA
Mandi

[Beckingham]

I seem to remember reading somewhere that you can get rid of fruit flies with a jar and funnel. Put a piece of ripe fruit in the jar and put the funnel in the jar (narrow side down) The fruit flies should be able to get into the jar but not out. I don't know if it works, but it may be worth a try. Good luck!

[AnnaInOhio]

Beckingham

Thanks for that tip... I have those nasty buggers every year too.

Oh and mommtimes3

The bleach down the sink is a good idea.. I had talked to a pest control guy where I used to work and he said they like to lay their eggs in the sink drain and the bleach kills them. Ugh.. I hate the irritating little things. Thank goodness fall is here and they are gone again till next spring.

Anna

[daisylady]

I think I read somewhere that cider vinegar will attact them and kill them. I think you place a little bit in a jar and they go for the vinegar and drown in it.

[ajrsmom]

We had them in an apartment in Pa. one time. I used all of these types of suggestions but they didn't work.

For those who know me when things like this happen, they know that I tend to panic and not handle bugs of any type really well. I bought Raid foggers for the house. I was desperate to get rid of those things! I removed the plates, cups...etc. that was clean in the kitchen and opened up all of the cupboards and the bottom of the sink before setting them off. After setting off the foggers, then I scrubbed the kitchen really good. It worked! I never had the problem again.

Good Luck!!
Tami

[ajrsmom]

We had them in an apartment in Pa. one time. I used all of these types of suggestions but they didn't work.

For those who know me, they know that I tend to panic and not handle bugs of any type really well. I bought Raid foggers for the house. I was desperate to get rid of those things! I removed the plates, cups...etc. that was clean in the kitchen and opened up all of the cupboards and the bottom of the sink before setting them off. After setting off the foggers, then I scrubbed the kitchen really good. It worked! I never had the problem again.

Good Luck!!
Tami

[mommytimes3]

thanks for the good advice ladies...they seem to be subsiding again...but this has been going on all summer--my kids love bananas, but they seem to create swarms of fruit flies every time I buy them!!!!

Hopefully they are gone for good this time!!

mandi

[Lifestar]

The bleach thing is wonderful.. but you also have to dry the sink after using it. They are attracted to the moisture. An exterminator friend said they call them Drain Flies.. Treat with bleach several times a week till they stop coming back. Their life-cycle is only a day or two.. so you have to get the eggs..

[Gardenlady3]

Lifestar-Thanks for the information. I have had them before & wondered where they came from. They were always by the kitchen sink & we had them for only a day or two. We never had them come back so we must not have had the eggs. I will keep bleach in mind if/when it happens again.

Also are they attracted to anything in particular or is it hit or miss??

Gloria

[Ctawna]

They are irritating, aren't they. I don't like to spend money if I don't have to on pesticides.
What I found that works well is putting several bowls out in the kitchen, put a little beer or soda in the bowls and a drop or two of vegetable oil. Then take plastic wrap and partically cover the bowls, leaving a small opening. they seem to like the mixture and you get rid of them.