Help Mamas! A banana fell behind the breadbox in the kitchen and attracted some fruit flies. Now I can't get rid of them! They seem to be EVERYWHERE. My Mom told me to take an empty 2 liter bottle and drop a small piece of fruit in the bottom of it and that would trap them in there. I tried it- they all just hung out around the top of the bottle. So gross! So what do I do? They seem to be multiplying like crazy! Should I get one of those "bombs" (do they still make those)? It's so disgusting and irritating. Please help!
I would fill up a little plastic cup about 1/4 of the way with apple cider vinegar and put a few drops of dish soap and swirl it around to mix it. I don't know why but it works like a charm, they dive right in!!!
When we get them I just make sure all the trash is empty for a few days, that there is no fruit out, and I put a cover on the sink drain..they get into the garbage disposal and the water in the sink. This usually kills them off in a few days.
I've heard leaving out a glass of merlot will attract and then drown them all in a matter of hours. good luck!
I have used a shallow, light colored bowl (white or pastel with a light over it), filled with water and a little, inexpensive lemony smelling dish soap, attracts them and causes them to drown. I have done this in the past and it works great but the light needs to be directly over it for a few hours. Also, do make sure that there isn't any other kind of food source in the flies' path while you are trying to eradicate them. Good luck.
I agree with the first poster, no chemicals needed. Remove all fresh and open food sources for 4-5 days, remove all eggs they may have layed (look like sesame seeds usually around the food source). Close up the sinks. They will be gone very fast. If you wish to trap some last survivors or draw them from other rooms I wouldn't use a bottle but a jar with a bigger opening. Don't worry they are harmless and will be gone in no time.
A fruit fly lives only 10-18 days. Cover anything damp as well as food products and make sure the garbage stays empty and they should disappear. Good place to put fruit during this time and after is in green bags. I got mine at Woodman's but here is the website. https://www.greenbags.com/?cid=402572 They do work and keep you produce fresh but also keep insects off.
S.
boy, can I sympathize with you!!! we had a problem that went on for months last fall. we tried everything. do as suggested, get rid of any fruit that is out, clean your sink drains, put a little beer or wine in a small container. the flies land in that and drown. However, they were not gone for months and months at my house. i was at my wits end. I just kept at it and poof...finally they were gone! it is very frustrating.
Try putting heavy sugar water or kero syrup and water in the bottom of the 2 liter bottle. I've heard that sometimes works as well to attract the fruit flys in. Good luck!
