Ridding Yourself of Those Pesky Fruit Flies – Ag Matters

Maybe it's an over-reaction to a Monday, but fruit flies are driving me crazy!  Most of the people at the radio station have gone to randomly clapping in their office, it's an effort to rid themselves of a bug you can barely see.  Here's a solution from our friends at Cornell Cooperative Extension.

A quick check of CCE's website brings a fact sheet on the hated Fruit Fly, aka vinegar flies or pomace flies.

The flies are relatively small, 3-4 mm in length, and brownish to yellowish in color.  Many species have red eyes. They generally are found around decaying vegetables and
fruits. The larvae are seldom seen, but occur inside the decaying food. Larvae are whitish in color and worm-like in appearance.

Our infestation began with some left over beer (don't ask), so they are also attracted to stuff that ferments, breads, catsup, milk, soda and damp wash cloths and mops.  The article credits Michael F. Potter, Extension Entomologist at the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture with the Fruit Fly Trap.  Make a paper funnel out of note book paper, place a small amount of cider vinegar or a slice of banana in the bottom of a jar and insert funnel.  Here's a makeshift trap constructed from a Mountain Dew bottle.

Of course getting rid what attracted them in the first place is important.  Or maybe getting a bat would be another way to battle the Fruit Fly,, it would also probably keep people out of your office.

SOURCE:  Cornell Cooperative Extension Carolyn Klass