Fruit flies are small dipterous insects that visually resemble flies and have a short proboscis. They are found on all continents of the planet, except, perhaps, Antarctica. Therefore, do not think that only you are bothered by uninvited guests. There are more than 1800 species of dipterans. The full existence of the fauna is impossible without them, because small midges are the most important link in the food chain of many animals. Your task is to remove the midges from the apartment, returning them to their rightful place - into the food chain.
61% of human diseases have recognizable fruit fly genetic code. These insects are an effective tool for geneticists, allowing scientists to model diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.
What types of midges are there, and how to deal with them correctly?
You need to know how to properly deal with midges in order to quickly and effectively eliminate the problem. To do this, they use chemicals, biological agents, as well as additional traps, devices with radiation, which in combination with drugs will be most effective.
There are 2 types of midges:
- blood-sucking;
- fruit.
Each of them is dangerous in its own way.
How midges are born and how long they live, read more in this article.
Blood-sucking gnats
An annoying type of midge that gets into a person’s eyes (If a midge has bitten you in the eye and the eye is swollen: how to relieve swelling, read the article here for more details), mouth, nose and ears. Insects love moisture. If a private house is located near a pond or stream, an encounter with a midge cannot be avoided.
The gnats feed on blood, painfully biting through human skin. They also bother animals. They live no more than 30 days. But in 4 weeks they are able to breed 3-4 generations of “babies”.
When going to a private home, carry an antihistamine with you. A midge bite can cause allergies.
During a bite, insects “gnaw off” a small piece of skin. They produce saliva, which can thin the blood. It also has an analgesic effect that does not last long. This is followed by itching and redness. Sometimes there is swelling.
Fruit midges
The fruit midge feeds on products that have expired - rotten fruits and vegetables. He loves sweets very much. It appears more often in places with high humidity, and actively reproduces there.
It is usually bred in private homes, especially if there is a body of water nearby. In order to get rid of fruit midges in a short time, it is necessary to carry out general cleaning and take out the garbage - this is the main reason for its appearance.
Causes of fruit flies
The first necessary step in the fight against fruit flies is to identify and eliminate the cause of their appearance. It's important to know what attracts midges and where they might come from before you set out to expel them. Insects are attracted to the room by the aroma of vegetables and fruits. At the same time, they give preference not to fresh products, but to rotten ones.
Flies are attracted by the aroma of fermentation, which is pronounced in vegetables and fruits with signs of rotting
The appearance of fruit flies can also be caused by indoor plants. Fallen leaves or flowers on wet soil rot and begin to rot, which attracts pests. In addition, insects are often located on plants, in the trays of which water accumulates and “blooms.”
The best means to combat annoying insects
The best means of combating midges are:
- insecticides (chemicals);
- scare bracelets;
- fumigators;
- traps;
- sticky tapes;
- ultrasonic repellers;
- traditional methods.
To prevent midges from disturbing residents, preventive measures should be followed. Chemicals are used in extreme cases. Folk remedies are more often used, and to protect against insect bites - repellent bracelets, special creams, lotions and aerosols.
Crema
There are various creams available for sale against midges, ticks and other insects that can harm humans. One of these is Komar.net cream. It actively protects against bites of bloodsuckers (not only midges, but also fleas, mosquitoes, ticks). For external use. Apply the cream to cleansed and dry skin in a thin layer. No need to rub.
Before applying the drug, do an allergy test - spread a small amount on the inside of your wrist and wait 15 minutes.
Lotions
Among the “defender” lotions, 4 preparations are distinguished:
- UltraThon;
- Clean house;
- Moskill;
- Babycoccole.
UltraThon contains a polymer that, when applied to the skin, creates a protective layer. Valid for 12 hours. It withstands rain - in bad weather the product can protect against midges - these insects love moisture.
Clean Home is a repellent lotion that should not be used on children or pregnant women. To protect babies, it is better to spray the product on clothes. Valid for 6 hours. It has no pungent odor and does not leave greasy marks on clothes or skin. The drug exudes a pleasant aroma.
Moskill is the best remedy for midges. Valid for up to 8 hours. The main thing is not to exceed the dosage to avoid an allergic reaction and follow the instructions in the package. The drug is prohibited for pregnant women and children. Before use, the skin is slightly moisturized. Pros: low price and high efficiency.
Babycoccole was developed by Italian scientists. Based on the name, you can understand that the drug is safe even for newborns. Cons – the price is steep – 1 bottle costs 900 rubles. The composition contains essential oils of lemon, geranium, lemon balm - their smell repels insects. Additionally, oils soothe newborns. There is no alcohol in the composition. The product is considered natural and harmless. Acts as a repeller.
Aerosols for spraying onto skin
They produce many aerosols, but 2 of them are professional and effective: Mosquitoll and Gardex Baby.
Mosquitoll is valid for up to 10 hours after use. This is professional protection against mosquitoes and midges. More often, the products of this particular manufacturer are used to combat insects in the fresh air. For a reasonable price of 150 rubles you can purchase a 120 gram bottle.
Gardex Baby is perfect for young children. This drug was tested in Germany by experienced dermatologists. Allowed for children from 2 years old. Pros: Can be applied to the skin. Valid for up to 4 hours. Then you should apply it again, but no more than twice a day. The spray smells like chamomile. Contains calendula extract.
Prevention of small insects
Keeping your apartment clean, especially in the kitchen, is the most effective way to combat midges. Set the frequency of home manipulations.
- Regular wet cleaning of the premises, daily removal of food waste. The hob should be wiped weekly with special compounds. Wash the trash can periodically using disinfectants.
- Avoid food spoilage and throw it away at the first sign of spoilage.
- The sink and washbasin must be cleaned using household chemicals; special products must be used for siphons and pipes. You can use baking soda and vinegar for cleaning. The reaction will help remove internal deposits.
- You can insert matches into the soil of indoor flowers with the sulfur heads facing down. In addition, it is important to follow the watering regime. You can sprinkle the ground with a small amount of ground pepper. You should not water flowers with tea leaves - this can also become a source of damage. The top layer of soil from flowers affected by larvae must be replaced with fresh ones.
- Clean your pets' feeding and toileting areas regularly.
- You can prevent the occurrence of midges by planting geraniums in advance. This beautiful plant has a specific aroma that midges cannot stand. This will prevent the appearance of fruit and flower guests.
More on the topic: Effective remedies for bedbugs
Clean your kitchen regularly
If midges are found in cereals, they should be thrown away immediately and the storage container should be thoroughly rinsed. If you find onion midges, you need to completely sort out the vegetables and throw out the rotting heads.
If the advice does not help, you should call representatives of the sanitary service. They will treat all rooms with stronger compounds.
Timely identification of the source of spread and the use of effective methods guarantee a positive result. Home hygiene, storing food in the refrigerator, and periodically cleaning sewer pipes will prevent the appearance of midges. In addition, they simply will not have anything to eat. And if effective methods appear, they will come to the rescue.
Effective insecticides and repellents
Effective and professional insecticide chemicals include:
- Dichlorvos;
- Raptor;
- Raid spray;
- Reftamide;
- Thunder, Thunder 2.
Dichlorvos and Raptor are top sellers. They are often bought because of their attractive price and fast action. The chemicals will kill all midges within the spray radius in a short time. It is important to wear protective clothing, a mask or a respirator when working with these drugs. Gather the hair on your head into a ponytail. While working with chemicals, do not smoke, eat or drink water. The drug has a pungent odor.
Dichlorvos
Dichlorvos is most often purchased to combat midges. It is unsafe for the human respiratory tract. The best time to use is in the morning from 8 to 12 o'clock. At this time, the children go to classes. By evening, the smell of the drug will disappear. When working with chemicals, unauthorized people without protective clothing, children and animals should be removed from the premises.
Raptor
The second most popular chemical after Dichlorvos. Raptor is easy to use. This broad-spectrum drug can additionally eliminate not only midges, but also cockroaches, mosquitoes, flies and other pests from an apartment or private house. When working with chemicals, it is important to remove indoor plants and animals and children from the premises. The drug has a pungent odor. Raptor should be used strictly according to the instructions.
Raid spray
Raid spray is less popular, but is not inferior in effectiveness to the best sellers. Sold with instructions. It indicates at what minimum and safe distance from a person the chemical should be sprayed. Be sure to wear a mask before work to protect your respiratory tract. After getting rid of midges using Reid spray, you should thoroughly wash your hands and throw protective clothing in the wash. As a preventive measure, 5 hours after working with Reid spray, you should wet clean the entire apartment.
Reftamide
Reftamide is a good and effective drug that will kill flower and fruit gnats. Before working with the chemical, you should wear medical gloves. Reftamid is not dangerous for plants. It is necessary to transplant indoor flowers into other pots in advance, carefully inspecting the roots for the presence of pests. Then get to work following the instructions.
Thunder and Thunder 2
Like Reftamid, Thunder and Thunder 2 are a series of insecticides that do not harm plants. These drugs are produced in the form of granules. They have no smell. Easily absorbed into the soil located in flower pots. Thunder 2 is toxic to insects - it causes convulsions and stops breathing, thereby eliminating midges. Valid for 3 days. It is better to store the product out of the reach of children and animals.
Thunder 2 contains diazinon, which causes convulsions in insects. The chemical can penetrate human skin - protective gloves should be worn when working with the drug.
The advantages of this product include speed and efficiency, as well as a low price. The downside is toxicity to fish and other aquatic fauna. Use near a home aquarium or outdoor pond is undesirable.
If a chemical gets into a person’s stomach, drink 2 glasses of warm water, then induce vomiting, take activated charcoal and contact a gastroenterologist or primary care physician. It is easy to poison yourself with an insecticide and cause complications.
Insect repellent bracelets
There are many scarer bracelets for children and adults to choose from. Among them are:
- reusable (you can change the cartridge);
- disposable - not valid for long.
Before purchasing, you should consult with the seller and carefully study the instructions. Some of the bracelets are contraindicated for use in children under 3 years of age.
Popular brands include Gardex and Bugslock. The cost of the first one is up to 150 rubles. Approved for use by children over 1 year of age. Looks like a stylish accessory. Effective outdoors.
Gardex is fastened on the arm using a fastener. There is a children's and adult version on sale. This is a reusable product - it comes with 3 cartridges included. Made from silicone. As protection, the manufacturer chose the pungent scents of lavender, mint and geranium.
Children love to put silicone trinkets in their mouths. The manufacturer made sure that the child did not get poisoned - the bracelet contains a food additive that tastes bitter. It is not toxic.
Bugslock is not inferior to Gardex in price. Its cost is no more than 150 rubles. It is fixed on the hand using a button. It is impossible to lose the bracelet. This is a disposable product - no cartridges included. The repellent bracelet will have to be changed every 2 weeks. It is better not to wear this “accessory” on children under 5 years of age.
Fumigators
Particularly popular is the fumigator in the form of a flashlight from Patio Lantern against midges. It can be left outdoors or indoors as decoration. Glows in the dark. Works without a battery, not from a wall outlet. Doesn't make any sounds.
When turned on, the midge fumigator will begin to heat up in the apartment and emit an odor that is not toxic to people (which cannot be said about insects). It is capable of immobilizing and eliminating midges within a radius of 20 square meters. m.
Traps
A trap is an effective way to quickly, without the use of chemicals, deal with annoying midges.
- You will need a glass jar, sweet fruits, a paper funnel, and tape. Pre-cut fruits are placed at the bottom of the container (it is better to choose fruits that have expired). A funnel is inserted into the neck of the jar. Its joint is taped with tape. The midge will flock to the sweet smell, fly into a glass jar, and will not be able to fly back.
- To make a trap, take a plastic glass, bait (fruit, yogurt or sweet compote), cling film, and a thick needle. Place bait on the bottom of the glass, then cover the container with cling film. Make several small holes in it. One condition is not to overdo it with the diameter, otherwise the midges will be able to get out.
- A very simple and effective way is to use a plastic bag and rotten apples or other fruits. The missing products are poured into the bottom of the bag. The midge will begin to actively “frolic” inside the bag. You should simply tie it up and throw it away.
Adhesive tapes
The adhesive tape is treated with a special substance that is aimed at attracting midges. This is a cheap and easy-to-use remedy for midges in an apartment, private house and outdoors. It is enough to hang the tape above the ceiling or on a tree - the annoying insects will stick tightly and will soon die. The tapes have no smell.
Ultrasonic repellers
Ultrasonic repellers include Typhoon, UltraSonic and special bracelets that affect midges with simulating sounds. Only female insects feed on human blood and rotten food to ensure the life of their offspring. Therefore, ultrasonic devices imitate the sounds from the wings of males, driving away females (they try to avoid males).
The impact area of the key fobs depends on the power. They can be used indoors and also outdoors. Ultrasound is not harmful, but it helps to quickly get rid of mosquitoes and midges. Human hearing is not able to detect these sounds.
Typhoon-200 and UltraSonic-410 are devices with three emitters that protect an area of up to 40 square meters. m. They work from the network. Do not affect other devices and human hearing.
Getting rid of midges using Dichlorvos
Dichlorvos is a time-tested, universal remedy that is used to kill insects both in city apartments and private houses.
In this article, the website Pests.ru will tell you how to properly use Dichlorvos to kill midges and what features exist in this simple process.
Chemicals for treating private houses and apartments
Among the chemicals for treating apartments and cottages are:
- Digital. The poison contains cypermethrin, which paralyzes the nerve endings of insects and soon kills them. Has a pungent odor. Available in 500 ml bottles. To treat large rooms, you can purchase an increased chemical capacity of 5 liters.
- Medilis-zipper also contains cypermethrin. Works similarly to Tsifoks. It is important to follow the instructions when working with the chemical. If you do not protect your respiratory tract with a respirator or mask, this can lead to poisoning.
- Sinusan paralyzes insects thanks to chlorpyrifos in the drug. Quickly and effectively gets rid of annoying midges in a short time. You should wear a respirator. By accidentally inhaling a chemical, you can cause an allergic reaction or complications such as asthma or poisoning. Has a pungent odor.
- Mosquitoll spiral looks like a burner. To rid your house of midges, you need to set Mosquitoll on fire - this will repel insects well. The fuel coil emits an unpleasant odor that paralyzes the midge.
Step-by-step processing of the room
Spraying should be carried out strictly following the instructions for use on the product packaging. Depending on the concentration of the toxic substance in a particular spray, one 150-190 ml cylinder is enough for 30 m² of open space. If the area of your home is much larger or you have to additionally treat closed areas, it is better to buy 2 or 3 cans.
Disinsection of the premises is carried out according to the following algorithm.
- Carefully open the protective shell of the cylinder.
- It is better to start spraying from closed places - fly larvae can be deposited in them or adult flies can hide. Use a directed jet to treat areas behind radiators, door and window frames, and areas behind furniture, carpets and paintings.
- Spray the remaining Dichlorvos in the air.
- Throw the empty can into the trash.
During the disinfestation process and immediately after spraying, you should not smoke, eat or drink. Try to quickly leave the treated area and close the door tightly behind you. Outside the area of effect of the Dichlorvos spray, you can remove protective equipment. If possible, it is better to immediately take a shower and change clothes.
How are indoor flowers treated?
If a fruit midge has attacked indoor plants, you should act immediately to prevent the flowers from wilting. Pests leave larvae on plant leaves. To completely eliminate insects, you will have to use a chemical like Dichlorvos, Raptor or Reid. You need to put the flower pot in a plastic bag (you can use trash bags), then spray the chemical directly into the soil and tie it tightly. Remove the plant after 6 hours. During this time, all insects in the soil and on the leaves of the indoor flower will die.
It is prohibited to spray the chemical on the leaves!
18 ways to get rid of midges in indoor flowers
The procedure should be repeated after a week as a preventive measure. And if the midge has not laid eggs in the soil, you can simply hang a sticky trap tape near the pots.
Varieties of midges
- white (springtails, porudas) and black (sciarids), the former are considered the most common, and they can be seen on the ground. Pords differ from springtails in their small size, and also in that they have a white or yellowish-brown tint. By the way, the greatest damage to the roots is caused not by them themselves, but by their larvae.
White midges breed in spring and winter - at a time when there is a slow evaporation of moisture.
Sciarides fly over flowers. They are safe for humans, but cause aesthetic problems. But they are destructive for flowers: the larvae penetrate the soil and damage the roots
Other effective ways
If the midge is detected in a timely manner, instead of insecticide chemicals and other sprays, you can resort to traditional methods. Among them are:
- horseradish repeller - you will need the root of the plant, which should be placed in a plastic bag and hung in the room. Leave the package open. The smell will repel insects, and they will disappear within a day;
- vinegar-soapy water - pour 3 tbsp into a 5-liter bucket of water. l. vinegar and 100 ml of liquid soap. A midge will fly to a pleasant smell and drown in a thick liquid of soap;
- bait with essential oil and liquid soap - pour water into a plate, add 5 drops of lemon balm or lemon oil (for bait) and liquid soap;
- orange-clove repeller - in a place where there is a large concentration of annoying insects, you should lay out an orange peel, in which you need to wrap a dry clove in advance.
Traditional methods will get rid of adult insects, but not clutches of midge eggs.
How does Dichlorvos act on flies?
The active components of modern aerosol are permethrin and its derivatives. These substances have intestinal contact action and lead to overexcitation of the nervous system of insects.
A fly receives a lethal dose when it comes into contact with an aerosol particle or inhales the vapor. The death of an adult insect occurs within a few minutes. High doses of insecticide act on eggs, pupae of flies, and repel larvae.
After spraying the can, permethrin settles on surfaces (floors, furniture, walls) and forms an invisible film. The protective effect of Dichlorvos lasts 14-20 days.
Chemical composition
Soviet "dichlorvos" was produced on the basis of dimethyl-dichlorovinylphosphate (hence the name). This organophosphorus compound was extremely toxic and had a strong, unpleasant odor. The modern aerosol "Dichlorvos Neo" does not contain dichlorovinyl phosphate and, according to the packaging, has no odor (although in fact there is an unpleasant sweetish aroma).
The new product is produced based on substances of the pyrethroid group:
- piperonyl butoxide (0.50%);
- cypermethrin (0.20%);
- permethrin (0.16%);
- tetramethrin (0.16%).
Additional components (ethyl alcohol, fragrances, stabilizers and preservatives) help hide the unpleasant odor. In addition to “Neo”, products with the prefixes “Eco”, “Varan”, and “Triple Impact” have the same composition. There is not much difference between them.
Traditional methods
Many methods are good for targeted control of flies when there are few of them in the house. Also, traditional methods are suitable for cases when you do not have the opportunity to use special means.
- In a glass of water, dilute a teaspoon of honey and a little saccharin. Soak a napkin in the liquid and place it on a plate; it will serve as bait for flies.
- Prepare a mixture of 60 grams of milk, 35 grams of soda and half a teaspoon of formaldehyde. Pour bread crumbs into the resulting mixture and place on a plate.
- Prepare a mixture of syrup, sugar and black pepper in a saucer. Having tried the treat, the flies will die after a few days.
- Take a glass jar and measure a few drops of dishwashing liquid into it, and then pour in a little table vinegar. Cover the container with plastic wrap or a bag, making a small hole. Once inside, the flies will drown in the solution.
- Combine castor oil and rosin in equal proportions, and then heat. Add honey or jam to the mixture to create a sticky composition. Prepare paper strips and apply the mixture to them. Place traps in areas where flies live.
- Place honey, sugar and syrup in a jar. Make a paper cone and lower it into the container with the narrow part down. Insects that fly into the trap will no longer get out of it.
- A mixture of table vinegar and water repels flies. For 1 liter of liquid you will need 2 tablespoons of vinegar. Treat the surfaces inside the house with the solution.
- Buy flaxseed at the pharmacy and make a decoction based on milk. Pour the liquid into containers and place in the corners of the house.
Flies are repelled by the aroma of eucalyptus, mint, geranium, lemongrass, tansy, and cloves. And insects do not like the smell of kerosene.
What are the repellents for flies?
There are a lot of drugs now - from ordinary adhesive tapes to ultrasonic emitters. The latter, by the way, despite the loud statements of the manufacturers, are basically useless. Therefore, it is much safer and cheaper to use special baits or household chemicals in the form of solutions or aerosols. When choosing, you should consider the following points:
- crayons and gels are more suitable for killing cockroaches and ants; such products are ineffective against flying insects;
- toxicity - most drugs can also harm pets;
- ease of use - if you do not want to prepare a solution from powder, choose ready-to-use insecticides (baits or sprays).
As for special traps made of plastic or mesh, you can make a similar one yourself from an ordinary plastic bottle. All you need to do is cut off the neck and insert the resulting funnel into a plastic container. You can use sugar syrup or overripe fruits as bait. The flies will easily fly through the neck of the funnel, but they will not be able to get back out.
It is believed that fly agaric helps very well - just place cardboard boxes with chopped mushrooms in places where winged parasites accumulate, the main thing is that children or pets do not get to the bait. To kill insects in the garden, special smoke bombs or fumigator flytraps are used.
If we talk about prevention, then timely disposal of household waste will help to avoid the invasion of buzzing parasites. Spoiled fruits and food are excellent bait for flies. In a private house, it is worth keeping the local area clean and monitoring the condition of the cesspool.
How to use
Before spraying the aerosol, all food and utensils should be hidden. It is also necessary to wear a respirator, safety glasses and rubber gloves to prevent the insecticide from coming into contact with the skin or mucous membranes.
When destroying midges, the outer surfaces of kitchen cabinets, sinks, shelves and other places where pests have been noticed must be treated. The spray is sprayed in an even layer at a distance of about 30 centimeters from the surface. Don’t forget to spray Dichlorvos Neo near the trash can (usually under the sink), as midges often appear in this place.
All procedures should be carried out with the windows open and upon completion of treatment the room should be ventilated for at least 1 hour.
After all procedures, it is necessary to wash all kitchen surfaces (tables, cabinet handles, refrigerator) using detergent. More detailed information on how you can get rid of kitchen midges is described in this article - https://vreditelej.ru/moshki/vyvodim-moshek-so-svoej-kuxni.html.
Uncleaned dishes and cutlery must also be washed in soapy water.
