Aagghh...gnats!!! Help!

[WendySmiling]

<giggle-fit>
Ok I'm can't help laughing but seriously...I bought all this fresh produce and can't refrig the fruits. I have gnats... what do I do???

http://img2.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/7696898075.jpg (http://www.freeimagehosting.net/)

[RoboMonkey]

Some of them, such as the coconut?, shouldn't be affected by gnats. Otherwise, it looks like you'll be eating a lot of fruit tomorrow. :)

[hoodedclawjen]

put it in a cupboard? or a box? or something else that the gnats can't get into?

[WendySmiling]

I can only shop once a week for my fruits & veggies. I'll try a box or something.


Some of them, such as the coconut?, shouldn't be affected by gnats. Otherwise, it looks like you'll be eating a lot of fruit tomorrow. :)

[Tina.]

You could use one of these - kinda neat plus you can still see all your pretty produce!
http://www.mileskimball.com/mileskimball/Shopping/ProductDetail.aspx?CID=Outdoor&SCID=Picnic,+++Patio+%26+++++++BBQ&ProductID=0000006685&SiteNum=0
Seems like you could find one at a local store, but I've never bought one.

[flvegnewbie]

I'm seeing a half eaten apple in your bowl, could they be after that?

As far as the veggies. I've not had any problems with gnats, but with fruit, it seems to call to them.
So, if at all possible I would try to make room in the fridge for the grapes, peaches and apricots/nectarines (?) and the rest should be okay for another day or two.


Michelle

[RoboMonkey]

I'm seeing a half eaten apple in your bowl, could they be after that?


I didn't notice that at first. It's kinda funny. :lol:

[itsveggietime!]

I'm thinking they come as eggs on the fruit, and then hatch, and naturally are after the fruit, that's why their mom laid the eggs there, so they could hatch and have food. When you bring home fruit, wash it with one of those veggie washs and cold water, when dry, put in the fridge, except the nanas - no fridge for them.

[WendySmiling]

OK.. yeah I took a bite of the pear! Was hoping no one would notice!
:p:bobo::nana::pibo:

[ghostlykisses]

First that produce looks DELICIOUS!

Second why can't you put the food in the fridge? (I am assuming it is full or you live in a dorm or something) Could you get yourself a little cooler to keep your foods in? sadly once you have the little buggies in your house they are very hard to get rid of with out taking away thier food source.

Awww sorry this was so long, I am a fountain of kitchen pest knowledge ;)

The only draw back to something like a cooler or other non-ventilated container is some fruits will give off a gass that will make other fruits ripen too quikly. For example bananas will make your peaches ripen super fast if they are enclosed.

Sometimes in the stores/dollar stores they sell these little net umbrellas minus the handle. They are meant to put over plates of food at barbeques and picnics. They usually come in some ugly pastel colors and are not too attractive in my opinion but they might help.

Also if you are not against trapping (and possibly killing a few) the bugs you can place a paper cone with a tiny gnat/fruit fly sized hole at the bottom into a jar. Make sure the cone covers the top of the jar well and the tip of the cone does not go to the bottom of the jar. Put some fruit peel or a little vinegar in the bottom of the jar. The bugs will go into the cone and get in the jar and they will not know how to get back out. You can go "dump" your bug jar outside away from the house.

[rabid_child]

Gnats or fruit flies?

We've had fruit fly problems in the past. I put about 1/2 inch of apple cider vinegar in a glass with one drop of dish soap in the middle, cover with plastic wrap, punch a series of holes, and voila! Fruit fly trap!

I have no guilt issues about killing fruit flies either, so let's not even get into that.

[WendySmiling]

I thought if you put fruit in the fridge it ripened too fast <shrug>?

[karenlovessnow]

OK.. yeah I took a bite of the pear! Was hoping no one would notice!
:p:bobo::nana::pibo:

:lol:

[rabid_child]

I thought if you put fruit in the fridge it ripened too fast <shrug>?

Bananas and Tomatoes don't go in the fridge. Stone fruits and avocados can once they're ripe. Everything else does fine in the fridge, and lasts longer to boot!

[WendySmiling]

Thanks!...I'm such a newbie. I'm used to everything thing in a can! D'OH!


Bananas and Tomatoes don't go in the fridge. Stone fruits and avocados can once they're ripe. Everything else does fine in the fridge, and lasts longer to boot!