They're small but their presence is powerful and utterly obnoxious. Fruit flies are by far one of the most frustrating insects to behold. They love to dine on your seasonal fruit just as much as you do. But while you could never ruin their appetite, they could definitely end yours. Real Simple magazine explained that fruit flies are so hard to get rid of because they can lay up to 500 eggs on ripening fruit and they will lay these eggs in hard to reach or notice places making it a challenge for you to get rid of them all at once. It then only takes them about 8-10 days to grow into an adult. They're attracted to sweet smelling flavors - probably just like you - such as fruit and wine.
Wondering how to remove fruit flies from your life? Check out these sweet homemade traps for ending the reign of the fruit fly in your kitchen.
1. Throw away old fruit
As a general rule of thumb, you should always throw away any fruit that's too ripe to eat. If you let it linger it will attract fruit flies seemingly out of nowhere.
2. Old fruit trap
You can also put some of that old fruit to good use however, reported Everyday Roots. The source explained that you'll need:
All you have to do is place the overripe fruit in the jar and cover it with the plastic wrap. Make sure the plastic wrap is secure over the rim of the jar with the elastic band. Then poke holes in the plastic and place it wherever you seem to notice the fruit fly infestation. Keep an eye on the jar, once there are enough prisoners in it, you can dispose of the jar in a tightly sealed garbage bag outside. The source explained that you also have the option of submerging it in soapy water to ensure they won't be coming back.
3. Red wine
Like you, the smell of red wine after a long day is a major draw for fruit flies, explained Good Housekeeping magazine. This trap is pretty simple. Just pop open a bottle of cheap wine to catch these pests. It's easy for them to find their way in, and there they either get stuck in the wine or trapped in the container. Then pour a bottle of the good stuff for yourself - just don't mix up the wines!
4. Sugar and spice trap
Everyday Roots also shared an exceptionally sweet recipe for fruit fly disaster. Here's what you'll need:
The source swears this odd combination of ingredients is game-over for fruit flies. Mix these ingredients together in a sauce pan and have them simmer for about 10 minutes. Then disperse the concoction into bowls around the house or wherever you fruit fly problem resides. Pretty soon they'll be swarming and getting stuck in the sweet treat. However, the source explained that if they don't stick, you can add some drops of dish soap and that should do the trick.
Professional pest removal services
If your efforts go unrewarded, it might be time to call in the big guns. A local pest control service will come in and identify the source of the fruit flies. Sometimes they lay their eggs in places like unclean garbage disposals and it can be hard for you to clean those places out. Pest removal professionals will have all the right tools to take care of your fruit fly woes.
You probably already know that most people are repulsed by the simple sight of cockroaches. If you are personally dealing with a cockroach infestation, the feelings of disgust are probably even more intense. Unfortunately, the cold winter weather tends to be one of the reasons this pest ends up in your home in the first place, according to Any Pest. While you may know that you don't want to share your home with cockroaches this winter, there are a number of interesting facts about this pest that you've probably never heard.
Because of the high amount of traffic and the versatility of the facilities, pests are naturally attracted to long-term care institutions. Many nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and other care facilities include on-site kitchens and cafeterias as well as private rooms and common spaces. All of these places are susceptible to attracting pests because of the presence of food, water and viable habitats.
During the summer months, some people love to go camping with family and friends. Yet this fun trip can be ruined with a few unwanted visitors, most notably different types of bugs. Crawling spiders, hungry mosquitoes and buzzing flies can become annoying quickly. How can you avoid these pests when you're outdoors? Consider these tips to keep bugs out of your campsite.
Carpenter ants can chew through the strongest studs and stringers in a house as they hollow the wooden beams out for nesting. The resulting damage can weaken the home's structural support and require expensive repairs. Professional pest control workers can remove a colony of ants, but the best practice for homeowners is to learn the best ways to keep out an ant colony and prevent the problem before it begins.
As the weather cools, you'll probably see fewer pests than you did during the warmer months, but that doesn't mean they're all gone just yet. Some insects can actually come out in full force during the autumn, while others might seek refuge in your warm home. Here are some key tips to keep in mind as fall gets underway:
As the middle of summer approaches, you need to be vigilant about keeping your garden free of pests. Many insects breed during the summertime, which means they're on the lookout for great places to lay their eggs. For many bugs, that means near a source of food. In fact, some species of insects will lay their eggs inside budding vegetables and fruit so their larvae have something to eat as soon as they hatch. That's why you have to keep harmful bugs out without damaging the bugs that could help you, such as bumble bees.
You might have noticed that, with the exception of the kitchen, you find more pests in your bathroom than in the rest of your home. This is because insects and rodents see the bathroom as a convenient watering hole. Pests love leaky pipes and standing water because these offer them a hydrating oasis in the otherwise dry biome that is your house or apartment. And if your bathroom develops mold, all the better for pests, who may eat fungus or use it to lay their eggs.
