The fruit fly

Whenever we come home from annual summer vacation, we are welcomed by these annoying things flying around our kitchen! 

The fruit fly

No matter how thoroughly I clean before we leave, they always find their way!  We never leave any food out, we wash counters down, vacuum everywhere, and even wipe down the vinegar bottles just in case (overkill, I know... but I don't want to come home to them, so I'll do what it takes). 

Since we are in the middle of our battle with them, I have decided to share our elimination method!  It always starts with trying to smack them with our hands.  I imagine it would make for a great SNL skit.  Two grown adults clapping high, clapping low, smacking cabinets, grabbing air... all over the kitchen.   Like some kind of new dance you'd see at prom.  The kids take part too!  It doesn't take long for us to surrender and turn to vinegar and a vacuum. 

Meet the dream team! 

We start with Mr. Vacuum.  We take off the attachment and use the hose to attack!  He does a pretty good job at getting the clusters.  Once his job is done, we turn to Mrs. Vinegar. 

I suppose you could use any kind of vinegar, but we always have balsamic on hand, so she gets the job!  We fill a small container about 1/3 of the way, put press and seal on top (or saran wrap), poke some holes with a toothpick and voila! 

Fruit fly trap made out with a small hummus container

Our fruit fly trap!  They fly in the little holes and can't find their way out.  I usually leave it out for a day or two, depending on the infestation.  Once you find they have disappeared, take the press and seal off and you'll find a pool of drowned fruit flies to dump down the kitchen sink.  Kind of gross.  Beware:  There may be some stragglers flying around in there, so keep Mr. Vacuum handy. 

We set our trap last night and this morning they seem to have dwindled down to a few here or there.  I'm hoping that by tonight, we can be done with these pesky bugs. 

Now - to go figure out why they are still breeding...