Fruit Flies & the Holidays
Fruit flies are a big nuisance in the kitchen, and they can be active year-round. They’re drawn to fruits and vegetables. They’ll also breed in places like drains, trash containers, and garbage disposals. While these pests are always annoying, they’re more of a nuisance during the holiday season. When you’re busy cooking holiday meals and entertaining guests, you don’t want fruit flies ruining everything. To kill fruit flies in your kitchen this holiday season, try these tips from the experts at Apex.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Fruit flies are attracted to apple cider vinegar, and you can use this against them. Cover the opening of an apple cider vinegar container with plastic wrap, and poke a small hole in the plastic. Fruit flies will enter through the hole, but won’t be able to get back out.
Vinegar and Dish Soap
Pour some apple cider vinegar into a small dish or bowl to attract fruit flies. Add a few drops of dish soap to the bowl, and place the trap in an area where you’ve seen the pests. When the flies try to land on the surface of the water, they’ll sink and drown thanks to the soap.
A Piece of Fruit
Do you have an overripe piece of fruit in your kitchen? Don’t throw it out just yet. Place the overripe fruit in a plastic bag and wait for fruit flies to crawl inside. Once the fruit flies are inside the bag, seal the bag and trap them inside.
Red Wine
If you don’t have any apple cider vinegar, you can use red wine. An open bottle of wine with just a bit of liquid inside can trap fruit flies. The thin neck of the bottle makes it hard for the flies to get back out.
Milk and Sugar
People have been using milk and sugar to trap fruit flies for a long time—since the mid-1800s. Combine a cup of milk, a quarter cup of sugar, and two tablespoons of pepper in a saucepan. Simmer the mixture for about 15 minutes, and then pour it into some shallow dishes. Place the dishes around the house, and wait for the fruit flies to fall in and drown.
Fruit Fly Strips
Fruit fly strips are another easy way to control these pests. These strips are coated with an adhesive. Fruit flies land on the strips, get stuck, and can’t fly away. Hang the strips in the areas of your home with the most fruit flies.
With these tips, you can enjoy your holiday season without being bothered by pesky fruit flies. If you need more help, call the Orlando pest control professionals at Apex.
Apex Pest Control is one of the most trusted Orlando pest control companies in the state. We’re proud of the work we do to help keep the homes, landscape, and businesses in our community free from harmful plants, insects, and animals, while also striving to maintain a balance with the ecosystem as a whole. Check out our blog or contact us today to learn more!
