these D*&M fruit flies!
melissastar
11 years ago
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Comments (10)
Annie Deighnaugh
11 years agopaulflyboy
11 years agoRelated Discussions
fruit flies in litter box & trying neem
Comments (17)Clean every drain in your house using either vinegar, ammonia or a mild bleach mixture. Better yet the foam drain cleaners stick to the sides of the drains slowly breaking down what they are attracted to that you may not reach with just a sprayer after doing this once maintain with the previously mentioned. Another option is to use a mixture of baking soda and vinegar this will bubble the drains clean kind of fun to watch too. Do not forget your overflow drains I was amazed at how many bubbled out of one of my bathroom sinks. Your shower and bath overflow are important as well as under the rims of your toilets. The most important, the garbage disposer. I have been trying to make my husband understand the importance of the cat box being scooped daily he just rolls his eyes at me. I personally have developed allergies to the cats to the point that even vacuuming turns my face and neck all splotchy and irritated so I can not scoop the litter. I am tempted to buy those disposable surgical caps and dust mask and just do it myself. I did not realize how fast fly eggs can hatch until I read this. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/DOCUMENT_IG091 The diatomacious earth is naturally occurring in a lot of clay based cat litters already. I know someone who uses it all over there ranch property to control flies. She also uses it internally to kill parasites. Maybe the addition of baking soda would reduce the smell that attracts them. No doubt that being corn based is a possible attractant. Corn is also a good mold media as well which might further attract fungus gnats. Good Luck, Cindi...See MoreBounty of fruit and veggies = Fruit Flies!
Comments (11)They seem to like Kombucha vinegar, but we haven't had very many this year, even with all the peaches I had sitting around. Had a few cherry tomatoes going bad, and the fruit flies didn't even find them. We keep a covered compost bucket outside the kitchen door, and I go on the offensive if I see any of the little dickens hanging out on the off-white cabinets. Both of my parents have complained that they have a multitude of FF, but they leave stuff sitting out all the time. My father resorted to hanging the long sticky traps--one needs to be very careful while leaning over his kitchen sink! In the past I've used the homemade plastic drink bottle traps, with a piece of slimy fruit in water or vinegar in the bottom....See MoreFruit Flies/Fungus Gnats
Comments (10)I tried to find out info about BTI at the time, but I didn't really feel like I knew enough to figure out a "right" way to use it in a worm bin. Apparently it was originally discovered as a soil bacteria, which theoretically could mean that it could live in a worm bin long term and maybe disperse all the way through the bin bedding - meaning it would stick around indefinitely. But I cannot think of a way for the average home hobbyist to verify that the bacteria are successfully living in the bin and that there are enough of the bacteria in the bedding to actually kill fungus gnat larvae. The "Mosquito Bits" brand, which you used, seems maybe more likely to work in a worm bin than Mosquito Dunks, since at least the "bits" are designed to be used in the soil of potted plants. I don't see the bits in stores very much; mosquito dunks seem to be a lot easier to find. Amazon seems to have the bits. As far as I could find out, Bti only kills mosquito larvae and fungus gnat larvae and it's very selective, so at least it's probably safe for the worms and other bin critters. But I wish I knew whether it was worth the effort....See MoreUmbrella plant and fruit flies
Comments (6)They are not fruit flies but more likely fungus gnats (similar in size and populations). And are the result of conditions outlined above - excessively wet or water retentive potting soil. The lay their eggs on the soil and the larvae feed on organic matter in the soil mix, including plant roots, so you have an endless line of continuing generations unless you do something to check their development. Lots of ways listed online on how to do that but the simplest method is to replace with a better quality potting soil and cut back on the watering frequency....See Moremarcolo
11 years agomarcolo
11 years agogrlwprls
11 years agoweedmeister
11 years agomelissastar
11 years agohome4all6
11 years agoandreak100
11 years ago
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