How to Keep Flies Away From Your Fruit Bushes
Fruit trees and bushes are an eye-catching and delicious addition to any garden. The flies that they sometimes attract are a whole other story. They are the bane of gardeners all across the south, including Alabama. If you want to enjoy your produce without the fruit flies joining in, keep reading for tips on maintaining your fruit bearing plants and preventing flies from finding them.
Which Fruits Attract Flies
Flies are attracted to just about every type of deliciously sweet fruit there is, including tomatoes. These little critters will start to show up when fruit begins to over-ripen and decompose. Because they like to burrow inside, fruits with a soft flesh are their preference. Fruits with thick skins are far less likely to attract annoying fruit flies. Lychee, watermelons and oranges are just a few examples of fruits that won’t be as susceptible to fruit flies.
Getting Rid of Fruit Flies
As a professional pest control company we understand firsthand how powerful pest control treatments can be. But in the case of fruit flies pesticides aren’t going to do much good. Fruit flies don’t seem to be phased by them and will continue to attack fruits, burrowing into them and laying their eggs.
Flytraps do work to a certain extent, however, they won’t get rid of the problem all together. You can make your own homemade flytraps with apple cider vinegar, a jar, plastic bag and rubber band.
First, put a couple inches of apple cider vinegar in the jar. Then cut off one of the bottom corners of the plastic bag. Put the bag down in the jar creating a funnel with the cut corner at the bottom of the funnel. Finally secure the plastic bag around the top of the jar with the rubber band. The flies will be attracted to the vinegar and once they get in they won’t be able to get out.
Bagging the fruit is another effective method. Do keep in mind this is a very time-consuming process and either cloth or paper bags should be used.
Maintaining Fruit Bearing Plants
The best way to keep fruit flies at bay is to maintain your fruit bushes and trees. Keeping your garden well maintained is the only way to keep fruit flies away before they become a problem. Keep an eye on your fruit and pick them as soon as they start to ripen even if you won’t be able to eat it all.
If you don’t get to the fruit before it ripens that’s when fruit flies will begin to show up. If over-ripened fruit is left sitting on the ground or clinging to the plant for more than a few days it’s almost a guarantee that fruit flies will be hovering around. Clean up fallen fruit ASAP and dispose of the fruit far from the home.
Some fruits like guava can be induced to fruit in the cold months in warmer regions. This will help to prevent fruit flies, which are far less prevalent in late fall and winter. However, this may prove difficult in most areas of Alabama and you have to diligently prune the plants in early fall to produce winter fruit.
Are fruit flies eating away at your produce and sanity? Give Vulcan Termite & Pest Control, Inc. a call. We can come out and provide safe, effective garden pest control treatments that help make your entire yard healthier.
Image Source: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Caribbean_fruit_fly_Anastrepha_suspensa_-_female.jpg
Original Source: https://www.vulcantermite.com/garden-pest-control/keep-flies-away-fruit-bushes/