Tiny Fruit Flies

West Ender · 02-08-2009, 22:19

My kitchen was infested with them at the end of last week. They are less than 1 cm long and have bright orange heads. Fly killer sprays don't kill them.

We no longer have any fruit exposed, it's all in the fridge. The bin where all the peelings and discarded fruit/veg goes, before being put in the compost bin in the garden, is now outside the back door. Nik has spent a lot of time with the Dyson's flexible tube, sucking them up, as this seems the only way to get rid of them. I have a jar filled with water, honey and wine where they congregate, fall in and eventually drown. They are still around, getting into the dishwasher, even had some in the bread bin yesterday. Not as many as on Friday but they still keep appearing.

Has anyone else had this problem? I must say I think it's the composting that originally caused it but they are still breeding somewhere. Any solutions, anyone?

garinda · 02-08-2009, 22:44

There are some chemical weapons mentioned on here, which might also be available in the U.K.

Fruit Fly ,How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies , Traps

Thankfully not had them, but did see the biggest swarm of midges I've ever seen tonight.

The drawback to a wet and warm summer.

Good luck.

garinda · 02-08-2009, 22:48

A very simple trap using…
1. An empty plastic bottle
2. A small piece of banana skin (had to fish one off the compost heap)
3. A cone of paper (reused a drawing kindly supplied by Edie)
Put the banana skin inside the bottle, make a paper cone with a small whole to fit inside the bottle neck and fasten on using tape so flies can’t get out around the edge of the paper. Within a few hours the kitchen was clear of flies and they were all having a jolly old time feasting on the banana skin but couldn’t figure out how to get out.

How to get rid of fruit flies using a basic trap « Becoming Domestic

You could try that until you nuke 'em.

West Ender · 02-08-2009, 23:07

Thanks Gary, I had vaguely remembered hearing they love bananas. I will try that tomorrow, see if it catches more than the trap I've got - must say, they love red wine too!

garinda · 02-08-2009, 23:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by West Ender

Thanks Gary, I had vaguely remembered hearing they love bananas. I will try that tomorrow, see if it catches more than the trap I've got - must say, they love red wine too!

If all else fails, try throwing banana skins over next door but one's garden fence, and try and lure them away from your property.