Anyone having issues with Fruit Flies?

[Trollby]

Man I do not know what the hell is up but after I brewed my new batch I have a shit-pile of Fruit flies in my house.

I think this is the worse since I started brewing.

They are bad sometimes in the summer, but this year is just bad. I have had some issues this summer even though not brewing (was busy summer) so might also be the issue.

Anyways just venting since trying to make sure the suckers do not ruin my beer

[Gymrat]

I put an apple with balsamic vinager on my counter. I put some cling wrap tightly over it and poked holes big enough for the flies to get in. Once in there they don't find the holes to get back out. I collected what what flying around the house that way and after just a few days of replacing that bowl each day my house was fruit fly free. They can't resist that apple and balsamic vinegar and will choose that over anything else available.

[Gymrat]

Oh and it is absolutely GREAT to see you here Trolby.

[BlackDuck]

I use apple cider vinegar with a couple of drops of dish soap mixed in it. They can't help but flock to the smell of the apple cider vinegar, then the soap breaks the surface tension and they can't stay on top of the liquid and can't get out. Then they sink to the bottom.

[RickBeer]

I shower daily and don't have that problem.

[mtsoxfan]

Only that one who wanted a drink of my morning coffee..... I had breakfast and coffee in one easy step...

[Trollby]

Not sure if it is just a bad year for them since had some around this summer even though did not brew and my wife is a germaphobe so she like triple cleans stuff.

Wondering if the damn Fruit flies are the reason my Friar brew got messed up early this spring

[Gymrat]

You probably brought some home from the grocery store on some produce. That is typically how they get introduced into a home.

[mashani]

I've got some but nowhere near like last year.

Last year I had drain flys, which were way worse. They didn't give a crap about balsamic and apples. They just went for my beer. I'd find dozens of them up under my fermenter lid at bottling time. They never seemed to actually make it beyond the threads of the lid thankfully, otherwise I'd have brewed a lot of vinegar I'm afraid.

I had to resort to major chemical intervention, both in drain cleaning and pesticides to get rid of them.

[teutonic terror]

It's not the fruit flies here, it's just plain ol' flies!

Since I brew outdoors, every time I have to guard my wort until it boils, I can't leave any utensils uncovered or any empty bottles or open beer outside.
Don't remember this problem last year.
The only explanation I have is the extremely wet summer we've had here.

Hope you get it under control Trollby!

[mtsoxfan]

I've cured the same way as others... I'm sure Dave will chime in to help.

[philm00x]

i've never had an issue w/ them getting into my fermenters. only once in a while now in the hot season that they will try and drown themselves in my glass full of beer.

[FedoraDave]

Roger has diagnosed this pretty well, as well as providing a very good solution.

Usually these things are introduced either via produce, as suggested, or else because they're hovering around shrubs outside that they find attractive. They're so small, they often get through standard window screening.

One thing you might do is, when you bring summer fruit into the house (i.e. fruit you won't be refrigerating), keep it in a plastic bag closed with a twist tie. That way, if there are any fruit fly eggs or larvae on the fruit, they'll be contained in the bag. You can take it outside to open it, so they won't escape when you feel like having a peach.

Also, Toby, it's great to see you here!

[philm00x]

Ahhh, it's the peaches! I do love my peaches in the summer.

[mtsoxfan]

I just made grilled peaches brulee..... candy on candy