We all know that fall is harvest season with plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables and other delicious fall goods making their way into our homes and onto our tables. But what happens when we leave that bag of apples from the farmer’s market out on the counter too long? An annoying little fly will try to claim your harvest! Here’s what you can do to prevent fruit flies from taking over your kitchen and trying to steal your haul!
Dinner To Go
The best way to keep fruit flies out of the kitchen is to prevent them from finding any food sources. This means refrigerating or disposing of over ripe fruits, not just off your counters, but in your garbage cans as well. Rotting fruit and vegetables is a fruit fly’s delight, but they aren’t picky as long as it’s sugary and decomposing. Empty your garbage often, especially if you’ve just tossed out peels, cores and scraps. Thoroughly wash all your produce as soon as you can to destroy any possible eggs or larvae and wipe up sugary spills, especially juice and alcohol, as soon as they happen.
It’s a Trap!
If you’re already dealing with a few overly friendly flies, make some traps! Fruit flies love the smell of vinegar and a perfect way to entice them is using apple cider vinegar in a jar. Dilute with a little water and add a fruit fly treat, such as an over ripe piece of fruit, and then cover the jar with plastic wrap. Poke a few holes and place on your countertop overnight. You can also use a piece of paper rolled into a cone if you’re opting for a more plastic free approach. Once you’ve caught the culprits, be sure to add a mixture of warm water and soap as this will drown all the flies in your trap. Leave the soapy mixture for a few minutes, until there are no buzzing flies left, then dispose of the contents and remake your trap!
While fruit flies are definitely annoying, they’re not the most invasive pests if you deal with them quickly. If you’re working with something peskier, like a rodent or an ant invasion, we’d love to help you reclaim your home! Give us a call at 403.262.1666 and we’ll make sure that your harvest is pest free this fall!
