“An Apple a Day, Keeps the Doctor Away” only implies how important fruits are to us each day, as fruits contain almost all the essential nutrients one needs; a natural source of multi vitamins, fiber and minerals to vitalize us and boost out immune system to ward off common diseases. However, sometimes in the rush of morning hours we neither have time to indulge in fruits nor do we seal them well. This works as an invitation to the ever active fruit flies, and by the time we reach home in the evening, we find that the fruits are blighted by these flies. We fail in our multiple attempts to get rid of these flies and every time these tiny little creatures seem to win the battle. A small blunder leads to such head breaking, never ending situation, and every now and then we try to figure out ways to relief ourselves from them. In our quest to find solution to this problem, we encountered some of the easiest and effective ways, hope they turn out to be useful to you too.
1. Vinegar and Soap
Vinegar is an enticing element to the fruit flies and once they smell it, they are sure to get attracted towards it and flock around. Once you have grabbed the attention of these nuisance creatures, add a good amount of liquid soap, in which the concoction results in a viscous solution. The flies dart at the liquid and get stuck in the solution thus trapping most of them with this single trick and at last having them away from the juice of your fruits.
Photo Credit
http://windyacresnaturalfarm.blogspot.in/2013/03/gnat-trap.html
http://listaka.com/10-tips-to-get-rid-kill-fruit-flies-how-to-guide/
2. Cover the Bowl
Similar to the above mentioned method, place some ripen fruits in a bowl and cover it with a thin plastic or a paper. Then prick it with a toothpick or fork to make holes in it, big enough to let the flies in. These tiny brain fruit basket encroachers will be trapped inside as they wouldn’t figure out a way out. You can also add vinegar and soap too to increase your chances of trapping the swarm. Later, uncover the bowl and place it in hot soapy water to kill the tiny miscreants or just fling the bowl into your noisy neighbor’s house.
3. Coned Paper into the Jar
I hope all of us know how to make a paper cone, but who did know that this paper cone would be so useful in getting rid of fruits flies. Make a paper cone and put it in a jar filled with vinegar and soap or ripen fruits or both. The fermented smell will draw the flies as usual and once they get in through the tiny inlet of the cone into the jar, there is no way out for them and eventually we win the battle of Man Vs Flies.
Photo Credit
http://www.gewoonlekkergroen.nl/7-alternatieve-manieren-om-bier-te-gebruiken/
4. Milk Sugar Pepper
This magical mixture of milk, sugar and pepper, tempts the small gnats just like vinegar and wine does, but the flies do not know what they are heading for. Soon after they plunge into the mixture, they are trapped and drowned, putting an end to our strife to get rid of them.
5. Refreshing Fragrances
Fruit flies are often seen hovering near the windows or sneaking in through them. One of our remedies to this would definitely be the lemongrass essential oil and hot water spray. This spray will help us ward flies and at the same time work as a room freshener. Incense sticks can also help us in this endeavour as these flies cannot stand the smoky air emanated from these fragrance sticks
Photo Credit
http://www.motherearthliving.com/cooking-methods/love-lemon-herbs-lemongrass-oil.aspx
Photo Credit https://www.tumblr.com/search/Matt-black
6. Sticky Swat
If you have noticed you will know that we can see a lot of flies in and around but we cannot get hold of them. One of the easiest solutions to this is a sticky swat. Yes! Take a plate of any other flat dish and grease it well and swing like the great Grand Slam champ Roger Federer. Try the drop shot or the slice but my favorite and most advantageous is the fiery forehand that will get these fruit basket trespassers glued to your racket in an instant.
Photo Credit
http://www.reddit.com/r/lifehacks/comments/29zttq/who_ever_posted_the_lifehack_about_the_oil_and/
7. Rue
These leaves have many medicinal uses and are even used to extract oils. They have a typical smell which is apparently useful in keeping cats and snakes away. These leaves also help in deterring fruit flies from gathering, so placing a good amount of these leaves would make these flies rue their juice sucking addiction. Basil also does the trick in the same way and planting basils in our kitchen garden will help in culinary as well as ward off these little pests.
Photo Credit
http://www.thekitchn.com/tips-repel-fruit-flies-with-ru-63558
8. Cleanliness
Make sure your house is in proper hygienic condition as this is the best way to keep these troublemakers from gathering and growing in our vicinity. The garbage bin if cleaned every day and sink unclogged from utensils is primary in not attracting them and as a result we need not worry about getting rid of them anymore.
Photo Credit
http://www.oxfordcounty.ca/Services-for-You/Garbage-and-Recycling/Garbage-Collection/Bag-Tags/How-Many-Tags-Do-I-Need
9. Refrigerated
A stitch in time saves nine; spare a moment to refrigerate the foods so that they do not get stale, and in turn resist flies from congregating. This will help you enjoy your favourite fruits by keeping them fresh for a longer period and at the same time the fruity smell will not reach these winged beings. Also tighten the jar caps properly to avoid flies from getting attracted to them.
10. Hot Water & Vinegar
These pests not only fly over fruits and other uncovered food but also reside near drains and even reproduce. Their breeding process is very fast and in no time they proliferate. Pouring a mixture of hot water and vinegar down the drain every day or alternate days kills these flies; the vinegar attracts them and hot water eradicates them. As they say “Prevention is better than Cure.”
Photo Credit
http://www.themanlyhousekeeper.com/2011/10/05/the-cheapest-way-to-clean-a-drain-without-using-noxious-chemicals/
