Fruit Fly Fever

Once upon a time, we had fruit flies.  They were IMPOSSIBLE.  Never so many to make you gag, but enough to really, really annoy you in the kitchen.  I think they were breeding somewhere down my kitchen sink, but nothing I poured down there killed them entirely, and nothing else appeared to be attracting them.  So, we started our attack.

1.  The shot glass with vinegar.

Premise:  Attracted to fermentation, the fruit flies dip down for a sip, and drown in the swill.

Actuality:  Attracted to fermentation, the fruit flies buzzed around the glass, had a drink on me, and one or two fell in.

2.  The vacuum.

Premise: A fruit fly can not fly faster than the force of suction from a Dirt Devil stick vacuum.

Actuality:  A fruit fly can outmaneuver all but the most direct affronts from a vacuum.  However, watching your boyfriend chase fruit flies through the kitchen with a vacuum is PRICELESS.  

3.  Spritz and wipe.

Premise: Wet the fruit fly down with spray bottle of vinegar while cleaning, then squish with rag. 

Actuallity: Try wet the fruit fly down enough to prevent flying, then attempt to squish with rag while two more flies buzz by your head. 

AND THE WINNER:: 

4.  The paper funnel in a jar.

Premise:  Attracted to a bit of fruit or fermenting thing in the jar, the fruit fly travels down the funnel and is unable to find the opening again, so is trapped.

Actually:   Attracted to a bit of fruit or fermenting thing in the jar, the fruit fly cautiously travels down the funnel and is usually unable to find the opening again.  They are trapped, but they are not dead, and releasing them or killing them is a hassle. 

Assembly- 
Find skinny top fairly deep jar (I used a spaghetti sauce jar).  Place piece of banana in bottom of jar.  Take a piece of paper, curl into funnel,  and tape the funnel to the jar mouth lip to ensure no escapes.  Wait. 

Disposal:  
I ended up pouring in vinegar, dumping in some baking soda and covering the hole, effectively knocking them out from the CO2 level.  While they were unconscious, I swilled them around in the jar and flushed them down the toilet.  Not the gentlest, no, but it was winter and I wanted them gone quick.  Other ways of disposing them would be to set the whole jar outside (where it won't attract attention) and let them freeze/cook/dehydrate to death, or setting them free (you know who you soft-hearted folks are) far from your house.  

I keep a much cleaner kitchen after having to have to have dealt with them. If I see one, I will stop at nothing to kill it immediately.  

Ever had fruit flies?  How did you stop the infestation?  Let me know!