Here's a good question from a reader on a practical issue most of us face in our kitchens: fruit flies!
The weather is getting nicer and I'd like to start opening the windows. The problem is that my trash is almost entirely organic and rarely ever gets thrown out due to my trying to conserve my plastic (though compostable) garbage bags. The smell attracts fruit flies. There are screens but they still manage to get in.
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I remember a recent post on here about using rue to repel them. I haven't been able to find rue in flower stores nor in upscale grocery stores around here. What else can I try to keep them away? I've heard of vinegar. Instead of dealing with the flies, should I re-evaluate my trash choices?
Thanks,
- syckklam
Syckklam, we recently had an infestation too, after we brought a lot of farm-fresh produce in and left it on our countertops a little too long. They are very annoying!
We have a couple thoughts for you. First of all, yes, you can also use vinegar to keep fruit flies away. Read our post all about fruit flies here:
• Fruit Flies! What They Are and How To Get Rid of Them
You can see our top tip on killing them here, courtesy of re-nest:
This is all natural, and involves a cone of paper and a dish of vinegar. There are some good alternative natural options in the comments on these posts as well.
Another thought, stepping back, is perhaps you should both change your trash out more often, or consider getting an indoor composter. We have been using the Naturemill indoor composter for all our organic scraps. We don't have to change our trash bag very often because all the organic (and fruit-fly attracting!) scraps go straight into the composter. It seals tightly and doesn't attract fruit flies.
• See a review at Unplggd: Re(al)view: Naturemill's Composter
Of course, if you do throw meat or seafood scraps or packaging into your regular trash, be sure to take it out by the end of the day. That will not only attract insects but make your kitchen stink!
Any more tips for syckklam?
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I'm not sure that the fruit flies are getting in through the screens, apparently they can lay eggs on your produce and that is the major source. A friend of mine does vermacomposting (ie worms) and apparently the key is to freeze your scraps so the eggs die and then you can compost them without worry of attracting the flies. In your case you could just trash them after freezing.
view sally599's profile
A wine glass left on the counter with sweet vermouth, some water and a drop of two of detergent gets rid of drain gnats in the heat of summer for me. I imagine it may work for fruit flies, as well.
view catlike's profile
I do what catlike says: a splash of red or white wine with the detergent. Flies get in, but they can't get out! Die, you little boogers!
view Peggasus's profile
I've done what catlike and Peggasus said with a small bowl and red wine vinegar, water and dish soap.
view javagrrrl's profile
I used the Death Trap above, combined with balsamic vinegar and a drop of dish detergent. Make sure you tape the cone all the way around the glass, or the little buggers will get out. They were swarming around it in minutes.
view little_melly's profile
I put all food scraps in a small, covered garbage pail under the sink. Insects can't get in and, if they do, they can't get out and get sealed in the bag with the scraps when I throw out the trash.
Also, I don't remove small spiders from my home unless they get in my way. I just let them be. At any given time, I'm cohabitating with a spider or two and they eat stray flies. Between keeping the "raw" garbage under wraps and having screens on my windows, the number of flies is low enough that the spiders pick up the slack. When the spiders get too big or start hanging out some place that is inconvenient, I catch them and put them outside. Unless they're poisonous or bite you, there's no reason to fear them or kill them.
view Orchid64's profile