So what gives? Is there some kind of plague going on? And what can I do if the problem persists?
Please help. The little bastards are driving me nuts. Especially when I'm at my computer.
I have a fruitfly infestation
Moderators: thunder, fruitbat, Chari910, Marie, Helen8, Gillian, kjshd05, catloveyes, LadyLucius
I have a fruitfly infestation
It started about a month ago and now they're *everywhere*. I spent most of yesterday afternoon tossing out the stuff I thought they might be attracted to, then I cleaned the whole kitchen from top to bottom, but no joy. I know they only live about 24/48 hours so I'm hoping they'll just eventually die, BUT ... the strange thing is we've also had a problem at work and my parents have had issues at their apartment too.
So what gives? Is there some kind of plague going on? And what can I do if the problem persists?
Please help. The little bastards are driving me nuts. Especially when I'm at my computer.
So what gives? Is there some kind of plague going on? And what can I do if the problem persists?
Please help. The little bastards are driving me nuts. Especially when I'm at my computer.
Well, if that don't beat all: San Diego–Toronto connection!
My next door neighbor (college kid) had an infestation. Luckily, we don't keep doors open unnecessarily, so it didn't spread to our unit too much. We had a few, which Allie would follow with her eyes, alerting us, so we could run around the room after them clapping away like idjits!
Sounds like you've done everything else that you could. Put all your houseplants outside until they're gone because they like the moist soil. Also, don't keep fresh fruit out until then. I don't know of any sprays you could use.
My next door neighbor (college kid) had an infestation. Luckily, we don't keep doors open unnecessarily, so it didn't spread to our unit too much. We had a few, which Allie would follow with her eyes, alerting us, so we could run around the room after them clapping away like idjits!
Sounds like you've done everything else that you could. Put all your houseplants outside until they're gone because they like the moist soil. Also, don't keep fresh fruit out until then. I don't know of any sprays you could use.
OMG, Gillian-I almost swatted the little thing!
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Pat
Gillian,
Here's the easiest way to get rid of the buggers (sorry, couldn't resist!)..
Put some wine--I think red works best--in a bowl or glass & leave it on the counter. They flock to it and drown. We had the worst infestation of fruit flies I've ever seen when we lived in an apartment at the edge of some fields (lots of farming on the Eastern Shore). I read about the wine trick, and within a few hours they were gone! You have to change the wine occasionally.
Gives you a good reason to crack open a bottle of wine!
Here's the easiest way to get rid of the buggers (sorry, couldn't resist!)..
Put some wine--I think red works best--in a bowl or glass & leave it on the counter. They flock to it and drown. We had the worst infestation of fruit flies I've ever seen when we lived in an apartment at the edge of some fields (lots of farming on the Eastern Shore). I read about the wine trick, and within a few hours they were gone! You have to change the wine occasionally.
Gives you a good reason to crack open a bottle of wine!
OMG, Gillian-I almost swatted the little thing!
Me too!I had them over the summer, but now that cooler temps are here, they're long gone. I get them because I have a composter in my backyard, and they occasionally find their way into the house, but I didn't know that about house plants in moist soil. I had to 86 all my succulents though, because they got into them and chewed them up.
Re: I have a fruitfly infestation
OMG! I thought that thing was in this computer.Gillian wrote:It started about a month ago and now they're *everywhere*. I spent most of yesterday afternoon tossing out the stuff I thought they might be attracted to, then I cleaned the whole kitchen from top to bottom, but no joy. I know they only live about 24/48 hours so I'm hoping they'll just eventually die, BUT ... the strange thing is we've also had a problem at work and my parents have had issues at their apartment too.
So what gives? Is there some kind of plague going on? And what can I do if the problem persists?
Please help. The little bastards are driving me nuts. Especially when I'm at my computer.
Sorry to hear about the fruitfly prob. Gilly. I hope our Heloise sibling gave you the remedy you need.
~M'L(C)
Pat -- will anything sweet work? I'm loathe to waste good wine on them.
Helen -- I don't keep houseplants as they generally never survive and fruit is always kept in the crisper.
Actually, I've only seen a few today so I think they're dying off. I half expected to find the bathtub lined with their little corpses because for some reason that's where they all ended up last night.
For now though, it looks like I have some respite so fingers crossed!
Helen -- I don't keep houseplants as they generally never survive and fruit is always kept in the crisper.
Actually, I've only seen a few today so I think they're dying off. I half expected to find the bathtub lined with their little corpses because for some reason that's where they all ended up last night.
For now though, it looks like I have some respite so fingers crossed!
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pat
Gillian--not sure whether you can substitute. I just used the remnants of a bottle. I don't drink that much, so if I open a bottle there's usually a sizable amount left for cooking (whenever THAT happens!).
Glad to hear that your problem seems to be solving itself. That's the nice thing about fruit flies--their short lifespan!
Glad to hear that your problem seems to be solving itself. That's the nice thing about fruit flies--their short lifespan!
I wish!!
Pat, I used orange juice instead. It actually made the problem worse!
I think they may be coming in from another unit, possibly through holes where the plumbing enters the kitchen and bathroom (inside the cupboards).
Until I learn where the problem originates, putting out sweet liquids of any kind is only going to attract more.
Pat, I used orange juice instead. It actually made the problem worse!
I think they may be coming in from another unit, possibly through holes where the plumbing enters the kitchen and bathroom (inside the cupboards).
Until I learn where the problem originates, putting out sweet liquids of any kind is only going to attract more.
Okay, probably your best bet then is to just make sure nothing is out for them to get into. Empty your trash daily, clean your garbage disposer (you can buy a foaming cleaner for those at any grocery store), and if you throw any type of vegetable item out, tie it up in a plastic bag first, real tight. Also, make sure your counters and stove are clean, even a tiny little bit of juice that was spilled and gone unnoticed will attract them. They're flies so they have exceptional sniffers, so even if a piece of fruit or veggie in your fridge goes bad, they will know it, so it probably wouldn't hurt to clean that out as well, if you haven't already.
When you've made sure that there is absolutely nothing in your house that is attracting them, they will die off in a day or two. Your theory about them coming in from another unit is a good one, but something is attracting them to your place - animals don't stick around where there's nothing for them to eat.
When you've made sure that there is absolutely nothing in your house that is attracting them, they will die off in a day or two. Your theory about them coming in from another unit is a good one, but something is attracting them to your place - animals don't stick around where there's nothing for them to eat.
Great. Now you've made me paranoid.
Funny thing is, they were pretty much gone until I put out the orange juice. If I had just left well enough alone, I would've been alright.
BTW, they seem to have taken a shine to my Garnier Fructis hair conditioner (of all things). Guess I'll have to keep *that* in a bag for the time being too.
Funny thing is, they were pretty much gone until I put out the orange juice. If I had just left well enough alone, I would've been alright.
BTW, they seem to have taken a shine to my Garnier Fructis hair conditioner (of all things). Guess I'll have to keep *that* in a bag for the time being too.
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pat
OK, we've established that orange juice won't work (sorry)
I haven't tried this one, but have heard it:
Put some cider vinegar in a bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, then poke some holes in the wrap with a toothpick. This creates a trap, as they like the vinegar, but can't find their way out of the holes.
I haven't tried this one, but have heard it:
Put some cider vinegar in a bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, then poke some holes in the wrap with a toothpick. This creates a trap, as they like the vinegar, but can't find their way out of the holes.
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Hilary the Touched
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Well, I think the wine would have worked because either the alcohol in it would, by some mechanical means, kill the flies or it would have inebriated them to the point of drowning--the same principle behind using beer (Slugweiser) to kill slugs.
I get fruitflies too, especially in the summer when I keep the farmer's market nectarines out on the counter, and I can never figure out where they originate. I mean, they gotta come from somewhere . . . I'll keep my fingers crossed that the first good frost (that is, cold enough to knock out your TV again) will take care of 'em.
(and nice work infesting our computer screens!! Damn!)
I get fruitflies too, especially in the summer when I keep the farmer's market nectarines out on the counter, and I can never figure out where they originate. I mean, they gotta come from somewhere . . . I'll keep my fingers crossed that the first good frost (that is, cold enough to knock out your TV again) will take care of 'em.
(and nice work infesting our computer screens!! Damn!)