Easy ways to kill fruit flies and fungus gnats?

Question

Also, how to differentiate between fruitflies and fungus gnats?

I have many plants, so I would like to know how to get rid of them without damaging my plants in the process.

Answer 1

We make fruit fly traps by taking an empty 2 liter bottle and putting a paper cone (made from any kind of paper) with the narrow end of the cone deep inside the bottle. We add fruit to the bottle and then put the cone on and tape it. The flies find their way into the bottle but they can't find the exit. This will work for any flying insect that is attracted to fruit.

Answer 2

BOMBS WILL NOT GET INTO WHERE THEY MANIFEST. you have to kill the source.. im willing to bet that girl cleaned and bombed at the same time.. of course a bomb is going to kill anything in the air. but its the drain and trash honey. just trust me.. ps. mines cheaper, lol. a cup of bleach. ok first a lot of people mistake drain flies with fruit flies. so ask yourself these questions. 1, have you had your dirty dishes standing in the sink for a while (3 days) 2. do you have trash that hasnt been taken out? not just the trash can stuff, but old coke cans lying around, empty or half empty glasses around the house. 3. and of course do you have anything rotting laying around, not just fruit.. fruit flies will manifest from any sort of rot. if so, then all you have to do is clean.. i know its hard.. i get the same thing if i dont do the dishes for a while. (mainly its the standing water) now if you are cleaning regularly. then its drain flies.. which honestly i think drain flies and fruit flies are the same. drain flies manifest from the rotting gunk in your drains. if this is the case, just pour a cup of straight bleach down the drain, if you have a two drain sink, do a half a cup each. NOW HERES THE TRICKY PART. when doing this remember all pipes are connected. so you have to plug all the drains in the house so the dont try and escape elsewhere. what recommend over the typical drain plugs around the house, is, a wet wash cloth over each, it just seams to seal better. wait 15 min after pouring the bleach. if you have a garbage disposal, after you pour and plug the drain, run the disposal for just a few seconds to get the bleach in there. then rinse with hot water. you may need to do this a couple of times (every other day, not the same day) to break the cycle.. hope this helps

Answer 3

I previously worked in a food plant, and can tell you that the life span of a fruit fly is less than 36 hrs. so remove their food source and you will remove the problem. However if you live close to their food source you are screwed, get good screens and air curtains. Fungus gnats are different and thrive on loose soil however I have seen them around sewer drains in basements, find where they come from and attack them there.

Answer 4

I'm a bartender and we use a spray that is specifically made to kill fruit flies...we get them on our limes and lemons......Try asking a local bar. They may know the name of it. I cant seem to remember the name of it right now, it comes in a spray bottle not an aerosol can

Answer 5

If the flies are originating in plant pots, try using Sticky-Sticks by Safer's (soap). this product is healthier for you, your plants and environment than awful aerosol sprays.
Also, water the plants less often (allow them to dry out between waterings) in the winter (dark months). The gnats tend to lay their eggs in moist soil.

Answer 6

Hi,
Find the source of the pests, it only takes one flower pot to start an invasion!

Take a look at these sites below, I have used these products with great success.

Hope this helps,
Dave

Answer 7

spray them with soapy water.