Warm temperatures, overripe fruit, leftover drinks or other fermenting foods magically attract vinegar flies. Although the fruit, dew, fermentation or cider flies are not harmful to health, their occurrence is quite annoying due to the high rate of reproduction. Once the Drosophilidae have nested in the kitchen, it is difficult for those affected to get rid of the tiny flies. Only a vinegar fly trap promises success. With the right home remedies, it becomes even more effective.
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Remove food sources
The least expensive way to get rid of Drosophilidae is to literally throw the flies out the door. Those affected should remove all food sources that attract fruit flies from the kitchen. Superficially, the little animals are attracted to overripe fruit. Varieties that are suitable for storage in the refrigerator are best kept there. A fleece similar to a cake dome is ideal for citrus fruits that lose their aroma in cold temperatures. Not to forget the garbage as a cause. Especially in summer, organic waste belongs in the compost or outside in the bin after just one day.
Thanks to these disposal measures, a large part of the population should disappear. The remaining animals fall victim to the vacuum cleaner.
set up the fan
A fan fulfills two uses at the same time. Fruit flies mainly appear in summer because they love warm temperatures. On hot days, a fan cools you down and also helps to avoid a plague. In addition to high temperatures, fruit flies also prefer windless places. The danger of finding Drosophilidae in the home is not only present in the warm season. Strongly heated rooms are also gratefully accepted. In winter, those affected should therefore ensure cool air and some air circulation with regular airing.
Commercial UV lights
UV lights emit a special brightness that attracts fruit flies. To use it, the consumer simply plugs it into the socket. If a fly sits on the light, it comes across a high-voltage grid. Although these tools work completely chemical-free, the chances of success to get rid of the entire infestation are comparatively low. In addition, the user must collect the dead, fallen flies under the socket.
Drinks as a vinegar fly trap
You can make a vinegar fly trap yourself in no time at all using simple home remedies. Since the flies are attracted to sweet foods, strong-smelling liquids attract the critters. People put one of the liquids listed below in a glass and set it out in the kitchen. Additionally, they add a squirt of dish soap to the drink. This breaks the surface tension of the liquid, causing the flies to sink and drown as soon as they land on the sweet substance to feed.
The following drinks are suitable for making the described trap:
- vinegar
- red wine
- beer
- Lemonade
- fruit juice
- Sect
This home remedy is even more effective if the person concerned covers the glass with a transparent film. Of course, this must keep access to the drink open at a small point.
Simple variant of the vinegar fly trap
But it is much easier to make such a flytrap. A jar of pickles is all sufferers need. After the gherkins are used up, the hobbyist pokes holes in the lid and sets the jar and the remaining gherkin water on the kitchen counter. In addition to sweet drinks, vinegar flies also have a preference for fermented foods.
Intensive Duftaromen
While some smells attract flies, other aromas repel uninvited guests. In this case, a lemon is used as a home remedy, the strong citrus aroma of which is enhanced by a clove. To do this, the person concerned cuts the fruit in half and sticks the cloves into the pulp. After two to three days he should replace the lemon. Although this home remedy will not kill the vinegar flies, it will successfully repel them.
herbs
Anyone who grows herbs on the windowsill benefits from a double benefit. On the one hand, fresh spices are always available, on the other hand, intensely fragrant varieties such as basil, thyme, oregano and co. have the same effect as the lemon described above.
carnivorous plants
Carnivorous plants are a bit exotic, but quite effective in the fight against vinegar flies. What initially appear to be voracious monsters turn out to be handsome indoor plants such as
- the venus flytrap
- the sundew
- or funnel plants
These plants not only help against fruit flies, but also devour any kind of annoying insects or food pests. They are in good hands in a sunny spot on the windowsill. In addition, the exotics prove to be extremely easy to care for. The only thing the owner must not forget is regular watering.
Prevention is the best solution
Effective home remedies against vinegar flies can be made by yourself in no time, but it is probably best if no control measures are necessary. For the householder, this means buying wisely. Fruit should only be stocked in quantities that can be consumed within a few days. The fruit flies don’t always come until the fruit is already overripe. Even with the purchase of apparently fresh fruit, the consumer drags the brood into the house. Eggs can already be found on packaged varieties such as grapes or apples in particular. However, they are not visible to the human eye. After shopping, consumers should therefore wash their fruit thoroughly under running water.
Never use chemicals
The trade offers, among other things, sprays or insecticides for a quick cleanup of a vinegar fly plague. However, such control measures are strongly discouraged. The chemistry contained harms not only the flies, but also human health. As particles are deposited on the food, the consumer ingests the pest toxin through the food.
