How Long Does it Take to Get Rid of Fruit Flies?

Question

Last night, I made the unfortunate discovery of finding fruit flies in my trashcan. Less than a week ago, I threw away a used orange as well as some banana peels and presto, there they were. I'm usually really good about throwing meat and vegetable scraps away, as well as used fruits and peels, but I forgot. The trash bag has been changed. I've made about 3 homemade traps using glass jars filled with red wine vinegar, grenadine and soap, sealed off with plastic wrap with a few holes on the top. It's working, but fairly slow, as most flies are crawling on the rims of the jars and not going into the holes fast enough. Would it be best to take the plastic off, let them crawl in, top the jar, and shake it? I want to get rid of them effectively, but am wondering how long it could take using the jars since this is the first time it's ever happened in the 3 years I've been living here. Any suggestions, such as how to improve the traps, would be great. Please help.

Answer 1

Target sells a great trap for a reasonable price. Even has a hanging arrangement so you can put it up where they'll be out of the way and it's decent looking. Once they go in they can't or don't find their way back out. Beer is the key. They seem to be attracted to beer better than anything else.

Answer 2

Hi,

I use just plain old cider vinegar and a little tiny, a few drops of dish soap in a shallow dish and no I don't cover it.  That seems to work with me.

  We keep our fresh fruit near a window, like oranges and bananas, grapes, etc., and we have a few of these shallow dishes of vinegar and dish soap and it seems to work pretty well.

I'd maybe consider using a bleach mixture when cleaning the trashcan.  About 1/4 cup to a gallon of water might do the trick.

thanks