How to trap fruit flies

Thanks for your comments about my friend's place in Omaha. I sure would recommend it if you need a place to stay when in Nebraska!

Talking about wine reminded me about this little trick to get rid of fruit flies.  This year has been awful for the horrid little pests.  I discovered that they really love wine, more than anything and every evening when my husband poured a glass of his (purely medicinal-ha ha) red he'd end up with floaters.

So, instead of throwing out this bottle when I was done, I left about 2" of wine in the bottom, and covered the top with Saran Wrap, and taped it down tightly.

With a toothpick, I punched some tiny holes.

The insidious creatures can't resist the wine, fly in the tiny holes, and then get stuck. I don't know if its that they drink so much, they are too drunk to get out, of if they get fatter while in there, or if they find their way in by scent but aren't led out that way. 

Whatever reason, it works.  Of course, I could tidy up the plastic wrap and make the bottle look nicer, or use a better bottle of wine, not a $5 one from Trader Joes.  But I still think this looks better than fruit flies on the bowl of produce I have sitting out!!

But you don't want to make it too attractive, it would be awful to mistakenly pour this into your wine glass!

Now, if I could just get the chigger problem under control outside.  The hens don't seem to be making a dent in my daily itch quotient.  But they do pick grasshoppers off my begonias.

Comments

[Hassie]

Thank you for the tip, Karla! We have several bottles of homemade wine from a friend and instead of us partaking of it, perhaps the fruitflies will enjoy it much! Gonna' give it a try!!

[Karla Nathan]

All you need is an inch or so leftover in the bottom of the bottle. That is enough to get their attention and trap them .

Sent from my iPad

[Lisa]

I am going to have to try that wine trick!
How cute are those chickens!!!

[Linda P.]

Great fruit fly tip!

Your outdoor decor is so quaint and pretty, and those chickens just add an extra special touch to the scene!

[Janice Rehmeyer]

Karla, I use my wine bottles for our Bottle Tree. I have all colors but my favorite is the red bottle. Have you heard of bottle trees????? They are popular down south.

Janice

[Kelley]

Wahooo! A tip to get rid of the fruit flies! someone (mE!) neglected the dishes and now they are everywhere! Off for some wine :)

[jeanie]

Great tip! ANy idea on kitchen moths?

[Laurie]

Tell those chicks to get to work, LOL!