Let's face it, summer means bugs -or as some would call them, pests. You could run out and buy chemical containing repellents, and bug killers, but why should you, when there are natural and effective ways of minimizing these "visitors". Over the next few weeks, We'll share some tips to incorporate bug patrol into your lifestyle that not only cuts out the chemical middle-man, but is cheap, re-uses material, and allows for a breath of fresh air.
This week we review the ever popular fruit fly.
Many of us have experienced the annoyance of fruit flies that fester in swarms around ripened fruit. Once you have them, you can expect more if left to their own devises.
There are a few things worth trying. If you are leaving fruit and veggies out to ripen, wash them first, and wash peels/scraps before you place into the compost; this will wash some of the eggs laid and reduce amounts hatched. Add paper on top of food scraps in your compost to keep snoopy flies at bay. For catching matured flies, you can build your own trap with a few resourceful tools (we found these instructions/pics on nyccompost.org)
TRAPPING fruit flies
Here are two kinds of fruit fly traps you can make yourself:
TRAPPING fruit flies
Here are two kinds of fruit fly traps you can make yourself:
1. Funnel fly trap. Pour some apple cider or beer into a glass jar and add a drop of natural dish or laundry detergent. Cut the corner off a plastic sandwich bag and place it into the jar; secure the plastic-bag "funnel" with a rubber band around the rim of the jar.
2. Bottle fly trap. Cut a small plastic water or soda bottle in half. Fill the bottom half with some apple cider or beer and a drop of natural dish or laundry detergent. Turn the top half upside down and place it into the bottom half so that the neck forms a funnel. Secure the two halves with tape.
You could also try a drop of lavender, tea tree, or oregano oil instead of the detergent. Happy fly catching!
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