Where do fruit flies come from?
Suddenly they're here - and they're invading! The impression you get is not deceptive, because female fruit flies are said to be able to lay around 400 eggs at once. The larvae are invisible to the naked eye! They are usually brought into our kitchen by our shopping or attracted from outside by the smell of vinegar on ripe fruit. Fruit flies, also known as fruit flies or vinegar flies, are particularly fond of vinegar. They have their heyday in the fall, when there are lots of different fruits and berries as well as overripe fruit. After all, a fruit fly lives for two to eight weeks and can annoy us for quite a while as a soloist - in the masses anyway.
Fighting fruit flies: hygiene is the top priority in the kitchen!
Store food correctly
Hygiene is the top priority in the fight against fruit flies. Store fruit and vegetables in the fridge. Turn overripe fruit into ice cream or a smoothie. Foods such as potatoes or onions that are not stored in the fridge must be checked - rotten tubers and the like must be disposed of immediately, as fruit flies love rotten fruit and vegetables - they are a magnet of attraction and a breeding ground for a veritable plague of fruit flies.
Remove leftover food and drink
Whether it's jam toast, empties or canned food - fruit flies will pounce on anything. So don't leave anything open in the kitchen. Do not leave wine and juice bottles open and dispose of organic waste frequently. Empty bottles should be rinsed out or closed, tinned food well sealed (e.g. "yellow bag"), leftover food eaten up, put in the fridge or disposed of.
Close garbage cans tightly
Make sure that your bin bags and garbage cans are well sealed - organic waste in particular is a breeding ground for fruit flies. Therefore, tie the bin liners so that they are tightly sealed. Also clean the garbage cans regularly.
Dispose of pet food
Do not leave wet food outside in summer, as fruit flies also go to animal food and lay their eggs there. The feeding bowls should therefore also be cleaned after feeding times.
Home remedies against fruit flies
Because fruit flies love vinegar and sweets, the following fruit fly traps have proven effective: Mix apple or balsamic vinegar with a sugary drink such as juice or cola in a small bowl. Add a splash of washing -up liquid - the washing-up liquid dilutes the water density, so to speak, so that the fruit fly can no longer stand on the surface of the water, but sinks into the mixture and drowns. If you don't like the smell of vinegar, leave it out. Traps with beer or sparkling wine including a splash of washing-up liquid (also mixed with vinegar) can also work. However, as with vinegar, the smell of beer can also be annoying. This is purely a matter of taste and smell.
Live trap against fruit flies
If you literally can't harm a fly, you are well advised to use a live trap, such as the one from Trapango. The animals find a way in, but not a way out. Later, you can simply remove the white funnel and release them outside.