Fruit flies are rife at this time of year as the weather starts to heat up, but there’s a simple way to get rid of them once and for all – and all you need is a mason jar
Fruit flies can be a real nuisance, especially during this time of year when they invade our kitchens and disturb our peace and fresh produce. However, there’s a simple trick to say goodbye to these pests for good and keep your fruit and veg safe.
There are numerous DIY methods circulating online for trapping these pesky flies, but how effective are they really?
One cleaning enthusiast from The Kitchn decided to put these methods to the test to find out which one truly works, and found that the three involving mason jars were not as successful. It comes after a ‘clever and cheap trick to banish flies in your home’
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While it may seem like fruit flies appear out of thin air, they’re actually just quick breeders and developers, starting their life cycle by laying eggs directly onto decaying fruit and vegetables. It doesn’t take long before they mature and continue to multiply, and before you know it, your home is swarming with them.
The ultimate method involves a standard mason jar and making a few small holes in the lid using a basic hammer or nail. Make sure the holes are as tiny as possible, as these flies are incredibly small and don’t need much space, reports the Express.
However, the expert did issue a word of caution, stating that her next task is to find an opaque or dark jar – rather than a clear one – so she doesn’t have to see the heaps of fruit flies accumulating in her home.
Inside your jar, you’ll need a simple concoction – about 60 ml of apple cider vinegar, topped with a few quick drops of washing-up liquid. The idea is that the potent aroma of the vinegar tempts the flies with its irresistible sweetness and catches them in the act.
As they dive in for what they believe will be a jolly good time, the washing-up liquid weighs down their wings, trapping them permanently. This quick and easy method resulted in around 50 dead fruit flies in the trap she created in just one week.
If you don’t have any jars to hand, a slightly simpler but less effective method would be to use the same mixture, but this time, contained within an old wine bottle – including the leftover dregs of wine at the bottom. It will certainly catch some flies, but the downside to this method is a bit of wine you might have wanted to finish, and the fact that it’s far more obtrusive to leave out on your kitchen side.
Another option that works well is using another mason jar and rolling a piece of parchment paper into a cone and inserting it into the top of the jar. Of course, in this attempt you will need the same ‘bait’ for the flies: apple cider vinegar and washing-up liquid.
If you’re aiming to completely dodge fruit flies, you’re facing an almost impossible task, but it’s crucial to understand what in your kitchen might be attracting them initially. Naturally, they’re drawn to fermenting fruits and vegetables, but they also have a penchant for sugary foods and drinks like fruit juice, beer, and even rubbish bins or grimy drains.