Fruit fliesare small insects that we find most often in the kitchen in the vicinity of stored fruit and food products. Their presence is unpleasant for us. Above all, however,fruit flies contaminate the fruitby laying eggs on them, from which the larvae then hatch. Therefore, as soon as we notice them, it is a good idea toget rid of fruit fliesas soon as possible. Seewhere fruit flies come from , how to prevent their appearance and learn about effectiveways to fight fruit flies
Fruit flies
Fig. depositphotos.com
Fruit fly , the correct name of which is Drosophila melanogaster, is a small insect from the order of flies. Fruit flies feed on fungi (yeasts) that develop on rotting fruit. That is why we can meet them wherever the fruit is stored and thrown away.Fruits on which fruit flies hang outshould not be eaten as these flies lay eggs on the fruit, and larvae hatch from these eggs.
The life cycle of a fruit flyis short and usually lasts from 10 to several days. Information on this subject can be contradictory, because the rate of development of an insect depends on the ambient temperature (at higher temperatures, the development cycle may be faster). What is important for us is the general information that fruit flies reproduce very quickly and within a few days, from a small number of flies, we can have up to several hundred of them in the kitchen.Therefore,as soon as we spot the first fruit fliesin the vicinity of the stored fruit, start combating them immediately.
Good to know!
Fruit flies are often confused with potato flies. Dandelions are also small black flies, which, however, are found around potted plants (often described as small black flies, similar to fruit flies). The place where they hatch and lay eggs is the ground under the plants.Earth flies are de alt with differently than fruit flies, so be careful not to confuse them with each otherWhile fruit flies are a problem associated only with damaged and rotten fruit, earth flies are a dangerous pest of plants.
Where do fruit flies come from?
Fruit flies are the easiest to bring to the kitchen with the fruit you buy. Thereforeavoid buying fruit in shops and stalls full of flies . There is a huge risk that fruit fly eggs will be laid on fruit bought in such a place.
If you have already bought fruit with fruit flies flying around , wash it as soon as you bring it. This gives us a chance to remove fruit fly eggs. We should remember, of course, that washed fruits spoil faster, so we mainly do this with fruits that will be eaten within 1-2 days. It is also worth keeping the fruit in closed containers, covered or in the refrigerator.
Fruit flies can also fly through the window , attracted by the fruity smell. Therefore, under no circumstances should you keep rotten, rotting or damaged skin in the kitchen. Such fruits will be a breeding ground for fruit flies.
Throwed rubbish and fruit peelingsshould be in a closed rubbish bin and should be taken out of the home bin every day.
There should also be no rubbish or composter near the kitchen window, around which you can also often seeclouds of fruit flies . If there is already such a threat, it is worth inserting an insect net in the window, which will reduce the entry of flies.
Fruit flies can also fly from the garden . Especially if we grow fruit trees. That is why in the garden it is worth removing fallen, damaged and perishable fruit from under the trees, which are the habitat and egg-laying place for fruit flies.
How do I get rid of fruit flies?
Since fruit flies feed on mushrooms that develop on perishable fruit, the primaryway to get rid of fruit flies is to remove damaged and rotten fruitKeep the remaining ones covered so as not to new midges flew to them.
We should also remove the peelings immediately and wash the dishes. Remember not to leave jars with jams and other fruit preserves open, becausethese products also attract fruit flies . The jug with compote should always be tightly covered.
The development of fruit flies is favored by high temperatures , therefore it is a good idea to keep the fruit in a cool place, possibly in the refrigerator.
However, if the midges have already appeared in our kitchen, they need to be removed somehow, because they will not disappear by themselves. For this, you can use thehomemade fruit fliesin the form of an apple cider vinegar dish. The fruityaroma of vinegar attracts bothersome flies , and the liquid form makes the flies easily melt in it. It is worth adding a few drops of washing-up liquid to the vinegar, which will reduce the surface tension (the flies will melt more easily in the vinegar).
It is also worth making apaper funnel with a hole at the top(like in the photo below). Place the funnel in the jar with the sharp point downwards so that its sides tightly fit the jar. If necessary, the contact point between the paper funnel and the jar can be additionally secured with adhesive tape.
Fruit fly trap
Fig. depositphotos.com
Bow ties, attracted by the smell of vinegar , will easily find their way inside the funnel, but it will be harder for them to get the other way (they will usually look for exits near the edges of the jar).We empty thistrap for fruit flies every dayto get rid of the caught flies on a regular basis.
However, I advise against preparing a similar trap based on chopped fruit fragments instead of vinegar. Such a trap will successfully attract fruit fliesbut it may well become a breeding ground for the next generation of flies and be a great source of food for them if the trap is not emptied on time. Vinegar, however, has the advantage that the flies (or at least some of them) melt in it and cannot lay eggs on it, as they do on fresh fruit.
If the effectiveness of the vinegar trap is insufficient or you are simply disturbed by its smell, it is worth buyingready-made fruit fly traps , prepared especially for catching these insects. The traps have an attractive apple appearance that is filled with liquid that attracts fruit flies.
Fruit fly trap
Fig. target
Recommended by usfruit fly traps do not contain toxic substancesand can be placed near food products at home and in the kitchen. Importantly -one such trap lasts up to 30 days!After this time, simply throw it away and replace with a new one. So this is much less of a hassle than emptying the vinegar jar every day.
Good to knowThe recommended trap has an attractive apple appearance, which makes it perfect for the kitchen or dining room! It does not need to be emptied or cleaned. Just set it up and we have 30 days of peace from flies: -)
