Korean Job Discussion Forums

amberflannery · Joined: 25 Oct 2006

I don't know where they're coming from but they've everywhere and I have a studio so I can't get away from them. Evil or Very Mad

How do I get rid of them? Can you get those fly strips you hang up?

Bloopity Bloop · Joined: 26 Apr 2009 Location: Seoul yo

Kurtz · Joined: 05 Jan 2007 Location: ples bilong me

I saw a few in my apartment the other day. I'm taking drastic measures this year. I only eat bananas these days due to the cost of fruit, but they are kept in the fridge, and all banana peels are being put in the freezer until disposal.

MMagidson · Joined: 14 Oct 2008

MollyBloom · Joined: 21 Jul 2006 Location: James Joyce's pants

I don't remember the exact solution, but you can mix the 2x apple vinegar at your local corner store with maybe red wine (?)...

Binch Lover · Joined: 25 Jul 2005

Solution: store your food waste in the freezer until it's ready to be taken out. It won't stink out your freezer whatsoever and it saves on bad smells in the house, especially in the summer.

There was a whole thread dedicated to this recently. Many posters were mocking people who put their food waste in the freezer, but there are many positives and absolutely no negatives.

Goku · Joined: 10 Dec 2008

I'm not sure if this helps any, but you can buy this type of automated anti fly thing you plug into the wall and it diffuses this auroma that prevents flys. So far it's worked on the mosquitoes in my house.

I'm not sure if it works on fruit flys.

I like the orange juice and oil idea though, that's pretty nasty to think about all the junk in that cup when it's "done"... Mad

billybrobby · Joined: 09 Dec 2004

vampirepirate01 · Joined: 14 Oct 2008 Location: Incheon, Korea

the freezer idea is solid. Also does anybody else have flies that come in from their bathroom sink? I close the drain now, and it seems to be working.

nuorange · Joined: 20 Jul 2007

I had the same problem. I met a teacher here who was majored in entomology (not sure about the spelling, but a bug studier person) and she gave a fantastic solution: dish soap. It kills fruit flies almost instantly.

What I did was make a trap by cutting a plastic pop bottle in half, stick a piece of banana or banana peel in the bottom of the bottle, invert the top half of the bottle and rest it on the bottom. Flies will fly into the bottle and, similar to the wrap trap mentioned previously, can't fly out.

However, what do you do with all the flies once they're in the trap? Pour a little liquid dish detergent into the bottle, fill it slowly with water, wait about 10 seconds and they're all dead.

That being said, it's still a cure and not a prevention. An amazingly effective cure, but it doesn't solve the root of the problem. Fruit flies can breed anywhere there is standing moisture - even a wet dishcloth is apparently enough. Try to keep everything as dry as possible, deal with food garbage ASAP, be careful bringing fruit into your house (the eggs are in the peels and will hatch once they're inside), and keep an eye on your screens, drains, etc.

Happy Hunting!