Fruit Flies Be Gone

So far these are the only things that work, all of the homebrew “saran wrap over a dish of sugar water” having failed. Catherine got them at True Value Hardware in the basement of the Confederation Court Mall. They haven’t eliminated the problem entirely, but they seem to be helping.

Transparent Fly Glue Traps

Trapping Fruit Flies

Where to Get Transparent Fly Glue Traps

Comments

Steven Garrity's picture
Steven Garrity on July 14, 2008 - 00:19 Permalink

After trying every technique imaginable to get rid of fruit flies at and old apartment (including eschewing all edible/organic materials), we resorted to all out toxic spray can fumigation. It smelled, and might have given us cancer, but it kicked the flies asses.

Rachel's picture
Rachel on July 14, 2008 - 02:05 Permalink

We’ve always had good luck with a small bowl of white wine with a drop of dish detergent. The flies land for a taste and never come out.

Sam's picture
Sam on July 14, 2008 - 23:03 Permalink

Our best results came from balsamic vinegar, a bit of red wine, and a drop of dish detergent, with the requisite saran wrap.

Kevin's picture
Kevin on July 15, 2008 - 20:12 Permalink

Double-diddo on the Lee Valley traps — have one of them opened just before the heat of the summer, open the other (or more than two) as soon as you see a fly. You’ll have a hard time finding the flies even if you go looking. And if you have a full blown infestation, they will knock it down to tolerable levels in a week. (they are pricey(ish))

Andrea’s right on.

Glasseyerod's picture
Glasseyerod on July 17, 2008 - 15:39 Permalink

I found that the trap described here
http://www.ca.uky.edu/entomolo…
to be very effective. I did learn that unless you want to watch the complete life cycle of the fruit fly, you should empty often.

Similarly cutting the top off a plastic bottle and taping it back in upside down also works.