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Post by Deleted on Nov 17, 2019 19:40:56 GMT
Right you lot, I have posted this on the other forum too, but would love to here your input:
Does anyone know how to get rid of fruit flies?
I assume they are fruit flies anyway, pesky little annoying things they are, pretty small, and fairly slow flying. Always this time of year and earlier we seem to get them mainly in our engine room. Now traditionally the engine room is where Mrs Rusty keeps the tin recycling box, well, it is a traditional style boat.The tins are washed out beforehand, but I wonder if that is what is attracting them.We get rid of them one day, and they are back the next. Some times they disappear for weeks, then are back again.
We have tried making a fly trap, a tin with clingfilm over, with holes in and a bit of vinegar in the bottom. This is effective at killing them, but I wonder if this also attracts them from outside as well, though when I cover the vent, they still appear.
Anyway, they are driving me mad, so in summary:
1.How to get rid of them?
2.How to prevent them coming back?
Thankyou.
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Post by JohnV on Nov 17, 2019 19:45:26 GMT
drill holes in your exhaust pipe. This fills the engine room with carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide (plus one or two rather unpleasant chemicals but we won't worry about that) This is a very effective way of getting rid of all flying insects. There is a slight downside in that you have to wear breathing apparatus when in the engine room ..... but that is a small price to pay for a fly free environment
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Post by thebfg on Nov 17, 2019 19:46:51 GMT
I find they disappear quickly once their food source has gone.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 17, 2019 19:48:12 GMT
Is this a composting toilet thing ?
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Post by Deleted on Nov 17, 2019 19:48:49 GMT
In some parts of Africa they make a net from muslin and a bendy stick, then wave it about in the air. When they've caught enough of them they make a tasty fried snack. Very high in protein apparently.
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Post by patty on Nov 17, 2019 19:49:20 GMT
OK I am ace at this one... Set a few 'fruit fly traps'..white wine or red works as does apple cider vinegar..they seem attracted to the smellier plonk. Cling film over pots works as does a funnel made of paper going into a bottle as does cling film over a bottle..pierced.. Leave the traps for several weeks Meanwhile wash all surfaces thoroughly and do not keep food in food waste bins for very long..
I regularly have to sort out my old friends invasions of the little blighters... They'd stay away if he emptied his food bin regularly and if he wiped up old food stains, I had loads in ,my house post sons departure as he'd left the food bin half full.
i got rid and they've never come back.
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Post by thebfg on Nov 17, 2019 19:51:30 GMT
OK I am ace at this one... Set a few 'fruit fly traps'..white wine or red works as does apple cider vinegar..they seem attracted to the smellier plonk. Cling film over pots works as does a funnel made of paper going into a bottle as does cling film over a bottle..pierced.. Leave the traps for several weeks Meanwhile wash all surfaces thoroughly and do not keep food in food waste bins for very long.. I regularly have to sort out my old friends invasions of the little blighters... They'd stay away if he emptied his food bin regularly and if he wiped up old food stains, I had loads in ,my house post sons departure as he'd left the food bin half full. i got rid and they've never come back. I was just about to say about apple cider. They do hate clean work tops. If everything is dettol clean they bugger off. The cider in covered bowl works just as well as our homemade wasp traps
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Post by Deleted on Nov 17, 2019 19:54:02 GMT
What about nationalisation ... that has a habit of killing things off. Did you see what I did there ... topical humour Rog
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Post by JohnV on Nov 17, 2019 19:56:45 GMT
still think my holes in the exhaust pipe would work ...... wanders off stage left, sulking
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Post by Deleted on Nov 17, 2019 20:04:36 GMT
JohnV. Thanks. A great idea, which undoubtedly would work, but I shall put it on the back burner for the moment.
thebfg, The only food source is the tin storage.Perhaps we should relocate it for a bit?
Chagall, Again , thanks, but I don't actually want to spend any real money.
Magnetman.No
Nemesis. Sounds yummy.
Patty, Can you come over here please, and sort ours out?
Dogless.I like your tropical humour.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 17, 2019 20:08:42 GMT
OK I am ace at this one... Set a few 'fruit fly traps'..white wine or red works as does apple cider vinegar..they seem attracted to the smellier plonk. Cling film over pots works as does a funnel made of paper going into a bottle as does cling film over a bottle..pierced.. Leave the traps for several weeks Meanwhile wash all surfaces thoroughly and do not keep food in food waste bins for very long.. I regularly have to sort out my old friends invasions of the little blighters... They'd stay away if he emptied his food bin regularly and if he wiped up old food stains, I had loads in ,my house post sons departure as he'd left the food bin half full. i got rid and they've never come back. So, it sounds to me like Mrs Rusty is perhaps not being as diligent as she could be in cleaning out the tins, as this is the only food source. ETA. When I say it is the only food source, I mean except for the 1/2 tin of balsamic vinegar with clingfilm over the top.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 17, 2019 20:11:30 GMT
How very sexist @rusty69 ... perhaps you're not cleaning them at all Rog
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Post by Deleted on Nov 17, 2019 20:14:47 GMT
How very sexist @rusty69 ... perhaps you're not cleaning them at all Rog Well, no.We have a clearly defined division of labour on our boat. Mrs Rusty cleans and cooks. I wash up, empty the bog and sort out the fire. We both paint the bottom together though.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 17, 2019 20:18:33 GMT
We have a similar division of labour ... Jane looks good ... and I do as I'm told.
Rog
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Post by Deleted on Nov 17, 2019 20:36:14 GMT
Chagall, Again , thanks, but I don't actually want to spend any real money. Cheapskate! Also not keen on being called collectively as "Right you lot" do you imagine us to be a bunch of reprobates or straight out of a 1950's police drama? Yep that is me. Tell me what you would prefer, and I will change it.
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