Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Fruit fly trap

It's not unusual this time of year to have an abundance of fruit flies.  My parents called them drunkards. 
(Mama described their movements as "a'seining around."  I can't really find dictionary help on that word.  Maybe it was a drifting motion like a boat with a seine?  Any suggestions on the etymology would be appreciated.)
I have "fruit fly city" in my kitchen.  They are "seining" around the bananas, pears, and compost bowl.  But I have a strategy for dealing with them!
I take a jar and fill it with water and a little vinegar.  I drop in a piece of fruit scrap such as a bit of apple core or banana peel.  I put in a few drops of detergent and spray in more water to make the detergent foam.  I pour enough water to make the foam rise above the rim so the little critters can't crawl out.  They land in the foam and suffocate.
 
As you can see, from the ones which have sunk to the bottom of the jar, this little trap is rather effective. (It was just placed in the kitchen a few hours ago.)

 
When the foam has dissipated, I dump a little of the water out, and then spray more water in from the sink sprayer to agitate the water and make more foam.

I tired myself out yesterday mowing my front yard and part of the neighbor's yard.  This rain is forcing me to break from the outdoor work, so I'm on an indoor vermin campaign.  Besides the fruit fly trap, I've smashed three spiders with newspaper.  (There are more!)  I will also set out some (store bought) roach traps.
I know this is a bit of a departure from a post of flower blossoms or scenic beauty, but now we've covered the gamut--the good, the bad, and the ugly.
If you have vermin and can take consolation that you are not alone, remember this verse: Proverbs 30:28 The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings' palaces.

1 comment:

  1. Neat flytrap. Good information. I never heard the term you mama used. Probably one of 'em down east terms. (LOL). Most folks know news papers are good for killing flies and spiders. So we should always have one handy. You just cannot do that with one of 'em ipads...

    Love from over here. heading for Florida soon.

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