Getting Rid of Fruit Flies the Frugal Way (1)

by Nicole Humphrey | More from this Blogger

08 Oct 2006 08:56 PM

As the season's change from summer to fall, many insects are found in and around our home in abundance. The fruit fly is just one, and being that they are more commonly seen indoors, there are some simple and frugal techniques you can use to get rid of them.

Most of the techniques to rid your home of fruit flies are extremely expensive and constitute purchasing sprays and traps that can cost a fortune and don't always work. But there is a more frugal alternative to all of that.

My neighbor just had a run in with a plethora of the little creatures. She just had surgery so she can't get out and about to purchase sprays to kill them. She needed a more frugal alternative so she did some heavy research and found a method that works. I continued on that research and will provide you will some useful tips.

First, let's talk about where fruit flies are typically found. Usually they prefer to be hovering around fresh fruits and vegetables, rotting fruits and vegetables, sink drains, and garbage cans. This isn't to say they cannot be found elsewhere in the home, however these are the most common areas.

Some think that storing their fruit and vegetables in the refrigerator will help eliminate them. This is not always so. Often they come into the home on your fruit and if you don't notice them, or if only the eggs are on the fruit or vegetables, you won't know until you open your fridge and find dead bugs floating in juice pitchers or other foods. This can not only be startling but extremely gross as well.

Fruit flies are in an abundance in the late summer and early fall, because that's when they are infesting the fruits - during the harvest season. This is why suddenly they seem to be getting worse - at least here in the midwest.

The fruit fly eggs are usually laid near or on the top of fruits and vegetables, beverages, fruits and vegetables, garbage cans or drains. Once they have hatched they will feed on the surface of these items. This is important because if you can cut away any decaying parts or exposed parts, you do not have to dispose of the entire item, wasting it. You can just remove those portions and still enjoy the item. They do not burrow or tunnel into foods.

The life cycle of a fruit fly from egg to adult is about ten days.

My thoughts on the whole riddance thing is that I have pets, and I don't wish to spray any chemicals around my pets or around my food preparation area. So this technique works and is safe for all.

Please see Getting Rid of Fruit Flies the Frugal Way (2) on how to rid your home of these little pests for good.

Learn more about Nicole Humphrey

Nicole Humphrey is a freelance writer, consultant for CTMH and a Sr. Blogger for families.com. She resides in St. Charles, Missouri with Mike and their five children and two furbabies.

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