Have you been seeing small flies or gnats in your kitchen lately?
 |
| Shoo Fly. Don't Bother Me. (UNL Extension) |
These pesky little insects are fruit flies and while they can be a problem year around, they are especially common during the late summer and fall.
Fruit flies are attracted to ripened or fermenting fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes, melons, squash, grapes, bananas, potatoes, and onions, among other perishable items.
The insects can reproduce in great numbers in a very short amount of time. The entire life cycle, from egg to adult, can be complete in about a week, and each fly can lay up to 500 eggs. For example, a single rotting potato forgotten at the back of a closet can breed thousands of fruit flies! Eggs are laid near the surface of fermenting or rotting foods. Once the eggs hatch, the larvae feed near the surface of the fermenting food.
The best way to avoid problems with fruit flies is to eliminate sources of attraction. Eat, refrigerate, or discard ripened produce. Any fruits and vegetables that are not refrigerated need to be in well-sealed containers. Keep inside recycling or compost bins emptied and cleaned. Equip windows and doors with tight-fitting (16 mesh) screens to help prevent fruit flies from entering.
If your home is already infested with fruit flies, the first priority to eradicate the insects it locate and eliminate all potential breeding areas. Though this task can be very challenging, it is critical for effective elimination. Be sure to check pantries, garbage disposals, drains, and garbage/recycle bins.
Once the breeding areas are removed, you must remove the remaining adult flies. One way to approach this task is to construct a trap by placing a paper funnel (rolled from a sheet of notebook paper) into a jar containing a few ounces of cider vinegar. Place the trap wherever fruit flies are seen and soon, this simple but effective trap will catch the remaining insects.
 |
| (UK Cooperative Extension) |
No comments:
Post a Comment