ERR News published 10 tips for getting rid of fruit flies at home
The Estonian news outlet ERR News published tips from the newspaper Maaleht on how to combat fruit flies. The publication notes that these insects are particularly bothersome in Estonia in late summer and are attracted to the smell of fruit, fermentation, fermented beverages, and food scraps.
First and foremost, they recommend storing fruit and other fresh produce in the refrigerator or pantry. You should also immediately wipe up spilled fruit juice or alcohol and remove crushed fruit and food scraps. It is recommended to take out the trash regularly and not keep it in the trash can for more than a week: according to ERR News, during this time, a single fertilized female can lay approximately 300 eggs.
It is recommended to wash purchased fruit immediately upon returning home, as fruit flies may have laid eggs on it while it was still in the store or orchard. It is recommended to vacuum up adult flies, as they are too small to swat. Among ready-made products, ERR News mentions sticky traps, bagged traps, aerosols, and other products designed to combat fruit flies.
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Maaleht also described two options for homemade traps. For the first, pour wine or fermented juice into a glass and secure a paper cone with a small hole on top. The insects will be able to get inside but not escape. The other method involves water, apple cider vinegar, and dish soap in a plastic cup covered with a lid that has a hole in it.
The publication advises, whenever possible, to prepare apple juice or jam outdoors, as these processes attract insects. It is recommended to keep windows and exterior doors closed: a standard mosquito net has holes that are too large for fruit flies, which are 1 to 4 mm long. The most common fruit flies in Estonia are Drosophila, known in Estonian as “vinegar flies.”
