Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Fruit flies

A brief hiatus from chocolate to talk about something that is still relevant this year... fruit flies! Fruit flies are most prevalent in summer and early fall, but can be a problem any time of year. And once you get them, it seems impossible to get rid of them. However, there are some basic things that you can do to get rid of them and even prevent them from coming in the first place.

First, a word about solutions to existing fruit flies: prevention is best! But if you do already have them, there are some things you can do. While some methods of killing flies, such as fly traps and "bombing" an area, can have some effectiveness, they may not kill all the fruit flies. If you use a commercial fly or bug bomb, there can be unpleasant side effects because of all the nasty chemicals used to kill the flies. These can cause breathing problems for many people, especially asthmatics or people with other chronic health problems. One thing you can do is wash out your sink drain, where fruit flies frequently breed, with a mixture of bleach and water, or other cleansing solution. This can get rid of fruit flies and the food residue that they are attracted to. Ultimately, following the prevention steps below is the best solution, because even if you do get all the flies, if you do not change your sanitation routine, they may just return.

Prevention: sanitation is key. As the name suggests, fruit flies are attracted to fruit.It is a good idea to put fruit in a self-contained container in the fridge, isolating it just in case and preventing the decay that attracts fruit flies. It may also be a good idea to rinse fruit after buying it. When throwing away fruit or other food waste, you can put it in one bag, tie it shut, and then throw it away in the kitchen trash, or you can take out the smaller bag immediately.

But fruit flies are also attracted to wine, pop, and other types of food. One of the best ways to avoid fruit flies is not to leave food--especially prepared and/or partially eaten food--out. This is particularly important if you already have fruit flies. Also, be sure to rinse out containers you put in the recycling, particularly wine, beer, or pop. You may also want to take out the recycling more frequently.

Finally, general kitchen cleanliness is very helpful. Make sure that counters and other food preparation areas are clean and have no food residue on them. Also ensure that they are dry, as fruit flies can breed in standing water. Do dishes promptly or place them in the dishwasher. Consider taking out the trash more frequently--at least when there are large amounts of food waste in it--or purchasing a kitchen trash with a lid. Make sure that the sink drain is clear of food particles or residue by cleaning it regularly and trying to throw away most of your food before you rinse/wash the dishes.

With some persistence, the fruit flies should go away, never to return!