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- To: j*@itex1.com
- Subject: Re: fruit flies
- From: A* C* <c*@ibm.net>
- Date: Fri, 12 Sep 1997 10:16:41 +0100
- References: <3418146A.534DC5AE@itex1.com>
Jill Zimmerman wrote: > > This is not exactly a propagation question...but it does have to do with > the tomatoes sitting on our counter! We have tons of fruit flies and > can't seem to get rid of them. I put some wine in a glass on the counter > to see if they would collect in there - it's working a little. Any > suggestions? Thanks. > > Jill Zimmerman Jill, Something that works fine down here in Brazil is using 2 liters plastic bottles (you can use smaller ones, 600ml for instance), the ones used for soft drinks like Coke. Using 2 liters bottles, starting 5-7 cm from the bottom open 04 vertical slots of 1.5 x 10 cm simetrical around the bottle. Then what is left is to fill this bottom portion of the bottle with a sweet solution. Attracted by the sweet the flies will get into the bottle through the slots and will drown in the solution. This device have been working fine in my orchard (where, among other plants, I have some peach trees). In the past fruit flies used to spoil 100% of the fruits. Now they are under control. Attention: if the device stays for a long time with the solution, you'll need to replenish it from time to time (lets say each 3 days in the summer and each 5 days in spring) because the water will evaporate, and you need to put away the dead flies. It may not be your case, but you can hang the bottle by the neck on tree branches. Nothing will disturb it except heavy rain. I hope it works with you. Good luck! Angelo
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