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Need suggestions on how to get rid of fruit flies.

Also how to keep them gone. It seems like everytime I bring apples or bananas I am over run with the little beasties in a couple of hours.

I like the idea of keeping those fruits on the counter so that they are available.

This does work, fill a few small bowls with WHITE vinegar and a splash of Dawn the flies & gnats seem to love it, over night you will see some dead ones in the bowls. :>)
Christine

I've tried MANY home remedies. The best I found and what I use is: apple cider vinegar and a splash of Dawn. I put that in a canning jar and cover it with a plastic bag or plastic wrap. Hold the bag/wrap on there with a rubber band. Then I poke one hole in the middle of the plastic. A pen or pencil works. This system works great for me! I even do worm-composting and keep a jar just outside of the worm bin to catch them. You can see them collecting in the jar. Rinse it all out and set up a new one.

I have gnats since moving my potted plants in for the winter. I need to give this a try...

Those sound like great ideas.

gardeners.com does sell fruit fly traps. Inconspicuous small triangular containers that they say work.
I wouldn't know.

The apple cider vinegar has always worked for me too. I have used old wine as well.

So now I know I can use cider vinegar as well. Thanks

I have tried the apple cider and vinegar method in the past with very minor success. Maybe my flies were smart? Sorry lonely fly . Could the addition of Dawn make the difference?

I think its the dawn that kills them, the vinegar is what attracts them

You have to put the vinegar into a small necked bottle. The flys get attracted in and can't get out. You can also cover a container of vinegar with saran wrap and poke a few tiny holes in the wrap.

Usually for me, after a couple of days with my fly catcher out the invasion is over.

yes the AC vinegar attracts them. They think it is overly ripe fruit to feast on. The Dawn dish soap breaks the surface or something like that and makes it so they can't get out. The container needs to be covered and only a few or one small hole in the top. The find their way in but can't find their way out before the Dawn grabs them and drowns them. :-)

I think the Dawn makes the vinegar "heavy."

This is similar to a flea trap only you use a pan (I use a 9x13 cake pan) with an inch of water and a squirt of detergent after the water is in the pan...no suds. Put the pan on the floor and situate a lamp over the pan...I use a gooseneck desk lamp. The fleas come to the light, jump in the pan, the detergent makes the water too heavy for them to hop out.

Even when I had dogs, they were outside dogs but fleas would hitchike in on our clothing. No dogs any more and no need to set up a flea catcher for over 15 years now.

Cocok, that is exactly what I did with very minimal luck. Next time I will add the Dawn.

The best way to avoid fruit flies in your kitchen is to make sure they won't have something to catch their sense of smell. Make sure your trash bins are covered. Clean your drainage system every once in a while. If you want to leave your fruits on the table, you must make sure they are covered. If all things fail, you can always go for a fly fruit trap. ana

This message has been edited. Last edited by: ana_b,

I did that last summer and left a few water bottles outside with the apple cider vinegar mixed with water. I had very little success for some reason(???) I didn't add Dawn, just the apple cider vinegar & water. Are you supposed to add water or not?
Don't know why it barely worked at all.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Wavy,

Cover your fruit bowl or store fruit in the refrigerator and always try to wash them outside of the home as soon as buying from market. And keep your garbage bags outside of your kitchen or home.these are some simple ways to get rid of fruit flies.