If you have gotten to know me through my blog or in person, you might say that I'm kind of a quiet or reserved person. Not today. Today I'm showing you my other side. The side of me that likes the sound of this:
annihilate: to destroy the substance or force of, to cause to cease to exist, to vanquish completely.
We have a fruit fly problem. And I am on a mission to destroy conquer annihilate these little pests. I Googled and found a list of ideas and have tried a few. I really am a little shocked at myself at how satisfying it is to kill these flies. I usually catch and release things I find in my house, but there is no mercy for these boogers.
* Swatting: Effective? Fair. Satisfying? Yes!
There is something very satisfying about swatting one into oblivion. But then there are the residual fly parts on the cupboard door. Plus did you know that fruit flies carry yucky diseases?
* Bowl trap: Effective? No. Satisfying? No.
This didn't work but I think it's because the hole size wasn't right.
* Hair dryer: Effective? Okay. Satisfying? Yes, fun even.
The idea is to suck them up on the intake side of your hair dryer which pulls them into the heating element. It's fun to see them get sucked in but often they fly away before the dryer gets close enough.
* Oven trap: Effective? Very! Satisfying? Very!
I recommend this method. I sliced some bananas onto a plate and let the flies wander in until there were about 25 of them on there. "Slam!" went the door and "whoosh" went the gas. Except that I forgot what temperature was suggested and I set it at 450. When I told Steve about the technique, he said "Yeah, I think you got it hot enough." Mwahaha!!!
* Keep things clean: Effective? Yes. Satisfying? Ugh.
This is harder for me but more effective.
May your weekend be bug-free and full of knitting! I'm off to wash some dishes...
You go Girl! Where did we get these answers before there was Google? Hope you conquer them all!
Sheri
Posted by: Sheri | September 24, 2010 at 08:45 PM
Way to GO Beth!! my favorite is the hair dryer - who knew killing bugs could be so much fun?
Posted by: Mary | September 25, 2010 at 06:07 AM
Fun post!
Posted by: Robin | September 25, 2010 at 07:38 AM
Too funny! I hope they are gone soon.
Posted by: Carole | September 25, 2010 at 07:49 AM
We actually had that problem in the kitchen last year. I'm not sure where they started, but after pouring bleach down the disposal frequently, they disappeared.
Oh, and remind me not to get on your bad side. :)
Posted by: vanessa | September 25, 2010 at 09:46 AM
look out orkin man-there's a new exterminator in town-fruit flies i think are the ultimate pest inside.
Posted by: lydia | September 26, 2010 at 04:27 PM
Love it! My brother was recently moved to a new office. He was in PA the week the other guy moved out of the office and somehow the trash in there developed a fruit fly problem. They bought some traps at Home Depot, but this is way more fun. To bad his office space doesn't have an oven.
Posted by: km | September 27, 2010 at 08:33 PM