Fruit flies will be repelled by placing this item in your bowl
Fruit flies and insects can be a common nuisance during the warmer months. They are typically attracted to sweet smells, as well as overripe, fermented fruits and vegetables, especially bananas, apples, and squash. But there is a way to stop them swarming your kitchen this summer.
Cleaning TikToker Chantel Mila has shared an easy deterrent to avoid any issues with fruit flies loitering around fresh fruit outside of the fridge. You won't have to worry about throwing fruit away, instead Chantel recommended using corks, like you would find in wine bottles.
If you don't want a chemical spray to deter fruit flies, this may be a good alternative.
Although she doesn't indicate how many corks you should use, more than one wouldn't hurt, reports the Express.
Simply place the corks in the fruit bowl with the fruit. The Kitchn advised avoiding synthetic wine corks, as they're made from plastic.
Synthetic corks can't, therefore, absorb excess humidity.
Adding wine corks to fruit bowls deters fruit flies by absorbing moisture and emitting a scent that the flies dislike.
On the other hand, natural corks help to absorb the moisture released by ripening fruit, reducing the attraction of fruit flies to the bowl.
The natural cork absorbs humidity from the air around it. Lower humidity in the air means slower ripening, which means fruit stays fresher, longer.
Furthermore, the natural aroma of the cork, which is unappealing to fruit flies, serves as an additional deterrent. As the cork absorbs the sweet scent of the fruit and emits its own natural scent, the flies are less likely to land on the fruit that no longer smells appealing.
According to Ryan Watts, a sommelier at Cameron Hughes Wine, who spoke to Today: "Two things attract fruit flies: sugars and moisture. This is why you most often find them around ripe fruit and in or around sinks and drains.
"Natural cork is a perfect deterrent as the cork material absorbs moisture put off by the ripening fruit and activates a fragrance from the cork that fruit flies are none too pleased about."
Another effortless DIY fix for the fruit fly has proven promising. Some individuals have attempted to kill them using apple cider vinegar, but some found the trick to be hit and miss.
A Reddit user, however, may have found the ultimate remedy with just a humble pantry staple. They shared: "The best thing I've ever used is soy sauce. They love fermented stuff. I put soy sauce in a shallow dish, cover it with [cling film], and poke pencil-sized holes [in the film]. Works a treat."
In addition to the soy sauce tactic, the same individual recommends "pouring bleach down all of your drains" before bedtime and underscores the significance of kitchen hygiene, advising against leaving exposed fruit, wine, beer or juice out on countertops.
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