News you can use! in Be Ready To Kill the Fruit Flies

By gardengus
September 4, 2011

When bringing fresh fruits or vegetables inside, you will most likely attract fruit flies. A small saucer or glass jar with cider vinegar will attract and drown the flies.

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Tallulah_B

Sep 7, 2011 8:50 PM CST

Name: Susan
Torrington, Alberta, Canada (Zone 3a)
World Famous Gopher Hole Museum

What I was doing was putting it in a saucer, hoping the flying bugs would be attracted and drown........

Susan
Our lives are like quilts - bits and pieces, joy and sorrow, stitched with love.

| @Tallulah_B | Post #145692 (1)

Aguane

Sep 7, 2011 9:25 PM CST

Name: Susie
Phoenix AZ (Zone 9a)
Southwest Gardening~ moderator/ATP.

Oh yes. That's the point. Apple cider vinegar can be used for lots of things. I was just answering Carol's question. Susan, if you put out the vinegar in a small dish and saw no gnats drowned in the dish it either didn't work or you don't have gnats. Do you still have gnats?

“Don't give up too quickly"... unknown, I heard it somewhere.
~ All Things Plants, SOUTHWEST GARDENING ~Cubits.org ENERGY & POWER

| @Aguane | Post #145698 (2)

Tallulah_B

Sep 8, 2011 12:49 AM CST

Name: Susan
Torrington, Alberta, Canada (Zone 3a)
World Famous Gopher Hole Museum

I don't know for sure, but I think they're fruit flies - very very tiny black flying insects. Very annoying in the den - I have one that flies in front of my face and drives me crazy!

Susan
Our lives are like quilts - bits and pieces, joy and sorrow, stitched with love.

| @Tallulah_B | Post #145753 (3)

Sheila_FW

Sep 8, 2011 9:45 PM CST

Name: Sheila F
Fort Worth TX (Zone 8a)

I tried the white vinegar in a dish in the shop.....nada. I am certain there are still some gnats that didn't get stuck to the fly strip. Maybe it needs to be the apple cider vinegar, or the gnats are attracted.

| @Sheila_FW | Post #146266 (4)

Aguane

Sep 8, 2011 9:58 PM CST

Name: Susie
Phoenix AZ (Zone 9a)
Southwest Gardening~ moderator/ATP.

I use Cabernet Sauvignon with more success than the vinegar. No question.

However, it's my belief you will never be rid of gnat, flies, unless you remove houseplants from your home (and rotting food, of course). The non-animal material should go into your compost pile, outside). But, don't leave them outside then bring them inside. You'll be bringing in more bugs. That's where the bugs live and seek the rich soil of houseplants.

“Don't give up too quickly"... unknown, I heard it somewhere.
~ All Things Plants, SOUTHWEST GARDENING ~Cubits.org ENERGY & POWER

| @Aguane | Post #146273 (5)

KyWoods

Sep 9, 2011 6:14 PM CST

Name: Renée
Northern KY

LOL So they like wine! Can't say I blame them...

| @KyWoods | Post #146730 (6)

Aguane

Sep 9, 2011 9:29 PM CST

Name: Susie
Phoenix AZ (Zone 9a)
Southwest Gardening~ moderator/ATP.

Thankfully they have a still primitive palate. Cheap stuff is just as seductive as the pricey.

“Don't give up too quickly"... unknown, I heard it somewhere.
~ All Things Plants, SOUTHWEST GARDENING ~Cubits.org ENERGY & POWER

| @Aguane | Post #146851 (7)

Gymgirl

Sep 12, 2011 7:53 AM CST

Name: Linda
SE Houston, Tx. (Hobby) (Zone 9a)
"Godspeed, & Good Harvest!"

Susan,
I got exactly ZERO results using the apple cider vinegar for the fruit flies. HOWEVER, a couple of those same containers filled with plain old tap water drowned every singly one of them. And, those other little black flying thingies that can't swim!

Try it!

Linda

My Blog: Fall/Winter 2011 Veggie Garden
My Cubits: Bucket Gardening! **Beginner Vegetable Growers **Growing Veggies By Zone **

| @Gymgirl | Post #148149 (8)

gardengus

Sep 19, 2011 8:03 PM CST

Name: Cinda
Indiana Zone 5b
Dances with Dirt

Maybe the Texas type prefer water with the drought you all have been having

Here in Indiana the fruit flies know what apples are.

..a balanced life is worth pursuit.

| @gardengus | Post #152902 (9)

rebloomnut

Sep 26, 2011 11:02 AM CST

Name: stephanie king
cut bank, MT z 3a-4b
Life is what you make it, so make i

I have had gnats in the past. I am going to try this next time as anything is worth at least one try. Thanks for the info.

| @rebloomnut | Post #155785 (10)

AlohaHoya

Apr 14, 2013 10:04 PM CST

Name: Carol Noel
Hawaii (near Hilo) (Zone 10b)
Leap. The net will appear.

I really don't think those are fruit flies...come to think of it....they are fungal gnats...attracting to decomposing material. They have started early here...ACK....I hate them.

It's all about choices.

| @AlohaHoya | Post #390449 (11)