How to get rid of house midges in the kitchen

The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster has contributed to the development of biology and medicine. Studying the color of the eyes, the parameters of the abdomen and wings of Drosophila, scientist Thomas Hunt More created the chromosome theory of heredity. Clinicians are still using this theory of genetics.

But, despite the outstanding achievements in science, Drosophila is a real headache for housewives. It starts in the remnants of fruits and vegetables, in the waterlogged soil of domestic plants and various types of food waste. The fruit fly breeds at an incredibly fast pace. Fell under a table and there a spoiled piece of fruit - a whole nursery for Drosophila. The consequences can be presented by anyone who has at least once encountered fruit midges. This is a nasty swarm, clinging to dishes and walls, penetrating into the smallest cracks and annoying immensely.

The reasons for the appearance of fruit midges

Fruit flies are an unpleasant but understandable phenomenon. Their eggs are found on fruits and vegetables, and spoiled grapes or tomatoes, together with an acceptable temperature, create ideal conditions for reproduction. But this is only one of the loopholes that help the flies fill the house. The main causes of Drosophila are as follows:

1. Spoiled fruits, berries, vegetables. Any plant products stored at room temperature are at risk of finding Drosophila in the kitchen.
2. Expired Food. Most often, this is moldy bread, sour dairy products, a tin that has been opened slightly due to a violation of the tightness of the lid and fermented juice.
3. Trash. It can be a kitchen sponge with food leftovers, inadvertently falling behind a cupboard, rolling strawberries under a table, stagnant water in a drinker of a beloved hamster. Often, the Drosophila nursery is hidden in a crowded bin or a clogged sink. One way or another, garbage is an ally of midges.
4. Indoor flowers. Cats live in wet soil. And if at the same time the roots of the plant suffer and are destroyed, then the appearance of Drosophila cannot be avoided.
5. Sewerage. Sewer pipes require regular cleaning. If it is not carried out, a plaque accumulates on the walls, in which midges begin. Fresh warm air also contributes to an increase in their numbers.
6. The apartment is next door. Drosophila can migrate from their chosen home to a neighboring apartment.

Why are Drosophila flies dangerous?

Unlike other insects, Drosophila cannot bite. Her oral apparatus is sucking-licking and not suited for bites. The fruit fly is also not a carrier of infections, despite the typical habitat in accumulations of debris. But instead, it causes other troubles to be aware of.

Spoils products. On a kitchen scale, the loss may not be so great, but imagine if fruit flies wound up during the transport of fruits or vegetables. A batch of products becomes unsuitable for sale, as both appearance and quality suffer.

Destroys stocks for the winter. Drosophila has a habit of settling in pantries and cellars where potatoes are stored, on terraces and verandas, if there are any fruits there.

It nullifies the work of the gardener. The fruit fly lays larvae in peaches, apricots and juicy ripening apples. Sometimes the damage at first glance is invisible to the human eye, but the pulp of fruit is literally teeming with Drosophila, which is unlikely to arouse appetite. In addition, when swallowed, midge larvae cause intestinal upsets.

Annoyance. Flying in the ears, eyes and mouth, the midge sooner or later will bring any person out of patience. Not the most pleasant thing is to pick out the dead Drosophila from the corners of the eyes. Cats can cause damage to snow-white tablecloths and curtains, noticeably staining them.

Favorite midges habitats

Drosophila appear where there is a comfortable organic environment for them. A favorite breeding ground for midges is a garbage bin or a clogged kitchen sink, as well as clogged sewer pipes. Any foci of pollution in the home can become home to Drosophila - a tiny piece of rotten tomato is enough.

How to get rid of midges folk remedies

Currently, there is a fairly wide range of chemicals designed to combat insects. These are pastes, aerosols, powders, etc. But you must admit, the use of aggressive and toxic substances next to food is in itself undesirable, and if there is a child in the house, then it is completely unacceptable. Folk remedies tested by many generations of housewives come to the rescue, which will allow you to enjoy the contemplation of a kitchen freed from midges, avoiding the harmful effects of chemical compounds.

Trap. Plastic or glass containers (preferably a jar with a capacity of about 0.5 liters) are covered with cling film or polyethylene, which should fit snugly in the neck. You can fix it with a thin rubber band. Holes are made in this kind of lid. Inside the can there is a bait in the form of spoiled fruit. The principle is based on the fact that midges, which are sensitive to smell attractive to them, will climb through the holes inside. They will not be able to get back. To increase the effectiveness of the method, put a few lures.

A vacuum cleaner. Using a vacuum cleaner, you can tighten an annoying swarm in his bag. Remember that you need to shake out the dust bag outside the home.

The combination of detergent for dishes and drink. Compote, wine or apple cider vinegar is poured into a glass, and then a little detergent is dripped on top. Arriving at the smell of midges will drown in the resulting liquid.

Cone. Put a sheet of paper folded into a cone in a jar or glass. The wide part should be on top and overlap the edges of the glass so that the insects could not fly out. At the bottom of the dishes you need to put the bait.

Camphor. There is an opinion that fruit flies do not tolerate the smell of camphor. To fight them, you need to pour camphor into a hot pan. When steam appears, carefully take the pan and carry it over all rooms infected with Drosophila. This method is good because camphor does not harm a person, and insects make them hide from sight.

Matches. This method will not eliminate all midges in the house, but it will help scare away those that breed in flower soil. Ordinary kitchen matches are thrust into the soil with sulfur heads down. An additional measure will be to control watering so as not to exceed the permissible humidity.

All these methods will help to quickly and efficiently dispatch uninvited guests - Drosophila.

Prevention of midges in the house

In order not to encounter Drosophila personally, you need to follow a number of simple rules:

1. Thorough cleaning after cooking. Make sure that food pieces do not remain under the table. Throw away the fallen products immediately, not allowing to be jammed.
2. Proper storage of products. If necessary, store products packaged or hermetically sealed. Do not store expired products.
3. Water should not stagnate and pet food should become stale. This will not only prevent the appearance of midges, but also preserve the health of your pet.
4. Timely evacuation of garbage. Do not wait until the trash bag is full. Take it out as needed.
5. Regular cleaning of the sink and treatment with chlorine-based products.
6. A small mosquito net on the windows will not impede ventilation, but will not let insects pass.

If you want to get rid of Drosophila forever, the fight must be complex. First of all, this is cleaning the room. All spoiled products, ajar, unpressed canned food - throw away without pity. Thoroughly wash the bin with soap and vinegar solution so that no nutrients suitable for midges remain in it. Clean the clogs in the sink. Pour stagnant water and wash containers from under it.

You also need to make it a rule to clean up the leftover food of your pets on time. Transplant home plants into “healthy” soil. At the same time, traps and chemicals can be used to kill insects. Cleanliness and freshness in the house are a guarantee that Drosophila will not bother.

Video: how to get rid of fruit flies