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Farm Kitchen:  Help! We're being invaded...  |
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staci860
True Blue Farmgirl
838 Posts
Staci
Newville
PA
USA
838 Posts |
 Posted - Feb 07 2010 : 09:34:46 AM
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Ladies, we are being overrun with little flying bugs in our kitchen.
 The best description I can give is they look a lot like the "fruit flies" that usually come around when bananas or other fresh fruit have been sitting too long. We've been putting all fruit in the fridge, all dishes get washed right away, I wipe down the counters constantly, what am I missing?.. . any suggestions?
Thanks bunches - I know someone will have an answer.
FGS#973
Blessings, staci
: ) |
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bobbinrobin
True Blue Farmgirl
590 Posts
Sharon
Newman Lake
WA
USA
590 Posts |
Posted - Feb 07 2010 : 09:47:26 AM
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I was just commenting to my husband about all the little "fruit" flys living in one of my African violets. Never seen them there before. Don't have any fruit outside my frig and counters were just recently gone over with disinfectant. We're on opposite sides of the country so this is a strange coincidence, Staci.
How beautiful a day can be when kindness touches it. -G. Elliston
www.sharnymcclarny.etsy.com
www.bobbinrobin.etsy.com |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
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Candy C.
True Blue Farmgirl
823 Posts
Candy
Mescal
AZ
USA
823 Posts |
Posted - Feb 08 2010 : 04:11:15 AM
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Sounds like the little bugs that live in the soil in houseplants. Try the soapy water spray for a couple of weeks. You will have to repeat the spraying about every 2-3 days as new bunches hatch out. Let us know how it is going!
Candy C.
Farmgirl Sister #977
Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. |
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staci860
True Blue Farmgirl
838 Posts
Staci
Newville
PA
USA
838 Posts |
Posted - Feb 08 2010 : 06:35:29 AM
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Thanks, I'll see how that works.
Blessings, staci
: ) |
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staci860
True Blue Farmgirl
838 Posts
Staci
Newville
PA
USA
838 Posts |
Posted - Feb 10 2010 : 11:20:27 AM
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Two sprays later... waiting... may be fewer... may be my imagination ;o)
i'll keep you posted
staci |
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magnoliakathy
True Blue Farmgirl
453 Posts
Kathryn
Magnolia
Texas
USA
453 Posts |
Posted - Feb 10 2010 : 12:10:32 PM
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1. Get some double-sided tape and a piece of yellow paper, tear the paper into strips as wide as the tape, apply the tape to one side, lay the paper, sticky tape side up on top of the soil in the pot. The bugs will land and stay there. Dispose of "used" strips and replace as needed.
2. Light a candle near by at night, (make sure all other lights are out)a small tea light that won't burn all night, some of them are attracted to light and torch themselves,
When you free your mind your heart can fly. Farmgirl # 714, |
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melody
True Blue Farmgirl
3318 Posts
Melody
The Great North Woods in the Land of Hiawatha
USA
3318 Posts |
Posted - Feb 10 2010 : 12:51:21 PM
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Aphids??
Make a mixture of warm water and just a smidge of dish soap---spritz freely and if that doesn't work you are going to have to re-pot your plants. I used to work in a green house and believe it or not they actually baked their soil before potting plants---stinks awful---tried it only once!
Darn it----pesky bugs huh?
"The best mirror is an old friend."
- George Herbert
Melody
Farmgirl #525
www.melodynotes-melodynotes.blogspot.com
www.lemonverbenasoap.etsy.com |
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Faransgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
895 Posts
Beth
Houston
Texas
USA
895 Posts |
Posted - Feb 10 2010 : 6:30:46 PM
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We have those around our Parrots. Have not tried the strips of yellow paper but have tried vinegar, wine dish soap etc. Can't spray with pesticide because it will kill the birds. The only thing that has ever made a difference at those old fashioned fly strips that are sticky but they look terrible. Will try the yellow paper next. Thanks
Farmgirl Sister 572
May the force of the horse be with you. |
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sherrye
True Blue Farmgirl
3775 Posts
sherry
bend in the high desert
oregon
USA
3775 Posts |
Posted - Feb 10 2010 : 7:18:18 PM
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i would call gardens alive. they could help you with something non toxic. maybe a predater parasite.i think the yellow sticky tape along with the soap spray will work. if not i would give them a call.just a thought sherrye
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farmgirl #1014
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staci860
True Blue Farmgirl
838 Posts
Staci
Newville
PA
USA
838 Posts |
Posted - Feb 11 2010 : 05:58:47 AM
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Thanks! Can't wait to try these out - seriously!
Blessings, staci
: ) |
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vintagejenta
True Blue Farmgirl
83 Posts
Sarah
Walden
NY
USA
83 Posts |
Posted - Mar 01 2010 : 2:55:02 PM
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I've read that keeping a thin layer of sand on top of the soil of your houseplants prevents little bugs like that from laying eggs and thriving.
If they ARE fruit flies, apparently a shallow bowl of water with cider vinegar and a drop of dish soap is supposed to take care of them. |
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staci860
True Blue Farmgirl
838 Posts
Staci
Newville
PA
USA
838 Posts |
Posted - Mar 02 2010 : 09:42:17 AM
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Thanks Sarah!
We're still dealing with them. They seem to be going away but I won't be able to feel like my kitchen's my own again 'til I don't see them at all for awhile.
Blessings, staci
:o )
FG#973 |
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Nigella
True Blue Farmgirl
386 Posts
Nigella
Chimacum
WA
USA
386 Posts |
Posted - Mar 02 2010 : 10:01:19 AM
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I get those little pests in my houseplants sometimes. I've noticed that if I keep up on watering they are as bad, sometimes if that still doesn't help I put the plant outside (under shelter this time of year) for a few days and that really gets um! I like Sarah's sand idea though I think that would look pretty too!
"Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work."
~Thomas Edison~
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staci860
True Blue Farmgirl
838 Posts
Staci
Newville
PA
USA
838 Posts |
Posted - Mar 02 2010 : 10:25:51 AM
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I've wondered about putting them outside. I have a couple of Norfolk Island Pines and the other is a bonsia fig tree.
Wasn't sure how much of a temperature change they could handle. It gets in the teens overnight here currently.
And unlike so many of my friends with green thumbs, I have somewhat of a "gangrene" thumb when it comes to houseplants.
staci
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alterationsbyemily
True Blue Farmgirl
686 Posts
Emily
Thomasville
PA
USA
686 Posts |
Posted - Mar 02 2010 : 2:12:48 PM
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Water, dish soap and rubbing alcohol, kills the little buggers! It took out our ladybug problem in three days
See my custom costumes, download free patterns, and hear some spook EVPs from Gettysburg, PA on my site, www.alterationsbyemily.com |
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staci860
True Blue Farmgirl
838 Posts
Staci
Newville
PA
USA
838 Posts |
Posted - Mar 03 2010 : 06:07:28 AM
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Thanks Emily. I have been doing the water/dish soap combo - I'll add some rubbing alcohol and maybe we'll beat these things yet.
staci |
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Farm Kitchen: Help! We're being invaded... |
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Help! We're being invaded...
