Dobela Posted July 4, 2012 Share Posted July 4, 2012 Ok , maybe an exaggeration, but I have hundreds of tiny flies in my house, particularly my kitchen, that have appeared in the last week. I have cleaned the counters, sinks, trash can area and can't get them to go away. How do I kill or deter them? I don't have any fruit or foods out on the counters. Now they are starting to be in my cabinets. They are not moths, just tiny, tiny flies. Help!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KatieJ Posted July 4, 2012 Share Posted July 4, 2012 Put some vinegar in a jar, punch holes in the lid and sit on the counter. Flies go in for a drink and can't get back out. Do a board search for fruit flies and you'll get other recipes that work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yobella Posted July 4, 2012 Share Posted July 4, 2012 I know you said you cleaned everything, but look for a source. I had this problem before and discovered a bag of birdseed in my pantry that had been there a long time was the source. Threw it out, problem solved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFSinIL Posted July 4, 2012 Share Posted July 4, 2012 Or use a cone of paper to let the flies into your jar of vinegar (a half-inch is enough to lure the pests). I tape the edge where the paper meets the jar so no one can crawl out that way, either. Don't keep bananas or fruit out on the counter - or wash it all when you bring it home. Keep trash cans clean and Lysoled (or bleached). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swellmomma Posted July 4, 2012 Share Posted July 4, 2012 pour a little cooking oil down your drains in the sink. Likely they are fungus gnats not fruit flies and their larvae will be inthe sink drains. the adults only live a couple days so if you kill off the larvae you will find your kitchen gnat free in a few days. I pour it in at the end of the night so there is no chance of it being rinsed away and it can thoroughly coat them all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blondeviolin Posted July 4, 2012 Share Posted July 4, 2012 It doesn't have to be fruit either... We've had them attracted to potatoes before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dmmetler Posted July 4, 2012 Share Posted July 4, 2012 Do you know anyone who hatched tadpoles this Spring and now has little tiny frogs? Fruit flies are perfect for them, and they're small enough that if you put an apple core in the frog tank, they can go through the vents in the lid to get in (and become frog food). I swear the baby leopard frogs that came from our tadpoles can eat their weight in insects daily! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erica in OR Posted July 4, 2012 Share Posted July 4, 2012 If you're looking to get rid of some while trying to locate the source or for the vinegar to work, I usually connect the vacuum hose and run it along where they've landed or are flying together. Or, your kids might be interested in catching them mid-flight using one of those battery-powered electric fly swatters (yes, we've actually purchased several of these over the years). It's like a hand-held bug zapper, along with the satisfying "snap" when it gets one. :tongue_smilie: Erica in OR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shea Posted July 4, 2012 Share Posted July 4, 2012 I leave a small container of sweet wine mixed with a drop of dishwashing detergent (Dawn) on the counter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather in OK Posted July 4, 2012 Share Posted July 4, 2012 http://www.theidearoom.net/2009/09/fruit-fly-trap.html That. Works EVERY time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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