This beer bottle trick is the easiest way to catch fruit flies

A swarm of midges inside your home is a major nuisance, but it’s nothing compared to the $200-$600 you’ll probably have to shell out if the infestation gets so bad that you need to call a pest control professional.

Fortunately, there are simple and effective ways to stop these tiny winged creatures and prevent their return. We spoke to pest control experts for the best advice on how to get rid of all kinds of midges.

What is a mosquito?

Mosquitoes are tiny flying insects that are often found in flocks and are known for their ability to hover in place. The three most common types of midges found in homes are fungal midges, fruit flies, and desiccant flies. First you need to get up close and personal to determine what kind of midges you are dealing with in your home in order to better understand how to fix the problem.

Types of mosquitoes

mushroom mosquitoes

Mushroom mosquitoes are black with long legs. They are usually found near potted plants.

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fruit midges

Fruit flies are brown with red eyes and usually have a more rounded shape. You can usually find them in the kitchen.

Dimijan//Getty Images

drain flies

Drain flies are fuzzy, with moth-like wings. They usually congregate around drains.

veragio // Getty Images

The good news is that while some types of mosquitoes can bite and sting, the species most commonly found indoors are simply a nuisance to people by flying in your face while cooking or at a dinner party. “During a recent study, we found that most of the ‘flying insects’ in homes are fungal gnats,” says Dr. Changlu Wang, who works in the Department of Entomology at Rutgers University, adding that fungal gnats “do not bite people or cause allergies.” . reactions.”

While mosquitoes are unlikely to go away on their own, they can be dealt with by being vigilant and using some basic home remedies.

How to prevent midges

Generally speaking, mosquitoes – along with many other pests – thrive in humid environments, so you might want to consider using a dehumidifier in particularly humid areas of your home. “In damp basements, keep relative humidity below 50% and make sure bathrooms are well ventilated,” says Dan DiClerico, director of the Home Improvement and Exterior Lab at the Institute for Good Homekeeping. “Just keep in mind that a dehumidifier won’t eliminate a major source of moisture.” You’ll also want to fix any leaking pipes and make sure your home’s gutters and downspouts are diverting water away from the foundation walls to keep moisture out.

Also, the easiest way to prevent an infestation in your home is to eliminate the source of insect “food” which depends on the type of mosquito:

✔️ Mushroom mosquitoes are commonly found near indoor plants. “Fungi mosquito infestations are often caused by sources of moist soil, such as houseplants, or by rotting or damaged plant roots,” says Dr. Jim Fredericks, a certified entomologist and senior vice president of public relations for the National Pest Management Association. ). NPMA). To prevent the appearance of fungal gnats, it is important to regularly repot houseplants in new soil and avoid overwatering.

✔️ Fruit flies feed on rotting fruits and vegetables. To prevent fruit flies from entering your home, rinse and dry food as soon as you bring it home from the store, then store it in the trash or in the refrigerator for as long as possible. “If they are washed and stored properly, fruit flies will no longer be able to find this food source,” says Chelle Hartzer, an entomologist at Orkin. Fast ripening fruits such as apples, grapes, melons, peaches and plums can be stored in a low humidity fruit box; wilting-prone foods, including leafy greens, carrots, and broccoli, should be stored in a high-humidity vegetable and fruit drawer. While bananas are best left on the countertop, ideally on a banana rack, you can transfer them to the refrigerator after ripening, or peel and store them in the freezer in an airtight container.

✔️ Drain flies are commonly found in kitchen and bathroom drains, garbage chutes and infrequently used toilets as they prefer bacteria, sewage and dirt. To prevent flies, it is important to clean and unclog your water pipes frequently, especially during hot and humid summer weather.

To unclog drains, pour a solution of baking soda and vinegar in equal parts, wait five minutes, then pour boiling water over it. Stubborn blockages may require tougher handling; Hartzer recommends using a drain cleaner such as Drano Max Gel Clog Remover to flush out the pipes. If the problem persists, an ongoing infection may indicate a leak, so call a plumber. To clean the chute, throw a dozen ice cubes into the chamber, as well as 1 tablespoon of baking soda, a few lemon slices, and 1 teaspoon of bleach. Run the grinder without running water until you hear the grinding stop. Then, with the engine running, rinse with cold water for 30 seconds.

How to quickly get rid of midges

Although preventive measures will stop mosquitoes from appearing at the source, sometimes it is better to take immediate action. Here are the most effective ways to get rid of midges instantly.

1. Use a high-tech insect repellent.

We have found that pluggable traps can be extremely effective. Consider the Zevo Flying Insect Trap, a GH Seal holder that uses a safe amount of blue and UV light to attract mosquitoes, fruit flies, and mosquitoes. “Personally, I like the Zevo traps that deserve our seal; I have them at home all year round,” says Birnur Aral, Ph.D., director of the Health, Beauty and Sustainability Laboratory at the Good Housekeeping Institute. “We recently tested the latest version of the product and found it to be even more effective at catching mosquitoes.”

In our tests, the Zevo Flying Insect Trap immediately started catching insects and was filled with dead when it was time to replace the cartridge after 15 days.

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2. Try spraying the solution.

Zevo Fly, Gnat & Fruit Fly Flying Insect Spray, another GH Seal holder, is also a good option. It uses geraniol and lemongrass oil, which are EPA-free bioinsecticides, to kill mosquitoes on contact. While the spray is safe for people and pets, it should be handled properly; Zevo warns against eye or skin contact, and flammable liquid should never be used near electrical wiring.

3. Make your own vinegar trap.

One of the best and easiest ways is to set up a vinegar trap. There are several ways to do this:

Make a trap out of apple cider vinegar and plastic wrap: Make your own fruit fly trap by pouring some apple cider vinegar into a glass or simply removing the bottle cap. Cover the hole with plastic wrap and secure with a rubber band. Then make some small holes in the plastic. The fruit flies will get in, but they won’t be able to get out. Make a trap out of a paper cone, vinegar and old fruit: place some vinegar and a piece of very ripe fruit in a jar. Then roll the printer paper into a cone and insert it into the jar with the narrow opening down. The smell of rotting food will help lure fruit flies into the mixture, but the paper cone will make it harder for them to escape. Leave the bowl of vinegar and dish soap: Add three drops of dish soap to the bowl of vinegar and leave it uncovered on problem areas. Soap lowers the surface tension of the vinegar, so the flies attracted by the vinegar sink and drown.

4. Set up a beer or wine trap.

Along with vinegar, fruit flies love the smell of wine. Leave an almost empty open bottle of old wine – the thin neck will keep the flies in the trap. The Old Farmer’s Almanac also recommends using stale beer to attract fruit flies.

5. Buy a sticky trap.

For a fail-safe trap, buy Aunt Fanny’s FlyPunch! on the Amazon. The mixture includes sodium lauryl sulfate (a surfactant used in soap) and malic acid (found in fruit). Just open the lid, place it on the counter and watch the life cycle unfold.

Buy Mosquito Solutions

Zevo Electric Flying Insect Traps Starter Kit

Zevo Fly, fruit fly, mosquito and flying insect repellent

Aunt Fanny’s FlyPunch fruit fly trap

Need more pest control tips? Check out our guides to the best mouse traps and how to get rid of silverfish.

co-author

Caroline is a writer and editor with almost a decade of experience. From 2015 to 2019, she held various editorial positions at Good Housekeeping, including as health editor covering nutrition, fitness, wellness and other lifestyle news. She is a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism and dreams of the day the Northwest returns to the Rose Bowl.

Amanda Garrity is a lifestyle writer and editor with over seven years of experience, including five years on the Good Housekeeping staff where she covered everything related to home and leisure, including the latest interior design trends, inspirational ideas.” do it yourself” and gift guides for any (and every) occasion. She also has a soft spot for telecasts, so you can see her writing about hit shows like Virgin River, Sweet Magnolias, When Calls the Heart on Hallmark and more.