Mrs Thomas's Book of Household Management
This is hands down the grossest thing I've ever posted, so those of you of a delicate constitution please look away now. This handy household tip is intended only for those of you who are plagued by fruit flies as I currently am. (Is it just a Seattle thing?)
Take one small bowl. Put a piece of overripe fruit in the bottom (they are appear to be very partial to pineapple). Cover with clingfilm and pierce several small holes in the top. Ha ha! The flies are clever enough to work out how to get into the bowl, but too stupid to work out how to get out.
God, this blog spoils you lot sometimes.
Genius! Gross... but genius.
Posted by: Robin | 13 September 2008 at 05:34 PM
Oh I have to try this!
Posted by: corine | 13 September 2008 at 10:45 PM
Oh my, that is gross but I will try it. but do you throw them out or do you just leave it and more and more appear? Seriously, where do they come from anyway? MB
Posted by: MaryBeth | 14 September 2008 at 12:47 AM
simple green is also somehow toxic to fruit flies. not quite sure why a non-toxic green cleaner is so good at killing insects...
Posted by: fert | 14 September 2008 at 03:27 AM
We had the same problem this summer. We put sugar water in a tall cup w/lid. They went right down the straw hole but couldn't come back up. Looked gross but it took care of most of them. They were congregating around my kitchen window and the bathroom mirror which I find strange. So I just cleaned those real well with 409 and they left the area. Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. Killers of fruit flies unite! lol
Posted by: kris | 14 September 2008 at 04:12 AM
Yuk!
Hi
Your are invited to spend a weekend, with me, traveling around my home in the beautiful Tyne Valley, Northumberland. Enjoy!
Di
Posted by: Di Overton | 15 September 2008 at 11:44 AM
Thanks! I'm loving the straw cup suggestion.
When they're in the bowl we carry them to the garden waste recycling bin and tip everything in. Unfortunately I think ours are attracted by the compost bins on our countertops.
Seventh Generation babywipes also seem to work as bait (as I discovered when I found a slightly open packet SWARMING with flies).
Posted by: paola | 15 September 2008 at 06:38 PM
oh my gosh brilliant! thanks so much for posting this. i'm pass the information on to some friends who recently complained about them. they have been such a pain this year.
the fruit flies that is :)
Posted by: Maria | 15 September 2008 at 11:39 PM
THANK YOU for this!!! I am going to try it.
Posted by: mary | 16 September 2008 at 02:40 PM
It's a relief to know we're not this only ones with this problem right now. I'll be trying this post haste.
Posted by: gypsy | 18 September 2008 at 08:50 AM
small genius! i might have to steal this and let everyone on my blog know too!
Posted by: maggie | 18 September 2008 at 06:38 PM