OK, so I KNOW this is a gun forum... and I KNOW my question has NOTHING to do with handguns...but I also know there is more experience on this forum than probably anywhere else on the internet - so I ask this question.

The problem is those little black flies that congregate the instant you return from the market with bananas, especially bananas. I have done some studying & found that some folks call them "vinegar gnats". I have mistakenly called them "fruit flies". But after an invasion I can't seem to get rid of I have come to believe that I should use an insecticide - but WHICH ONE? I MUST spray around the kitchen... and I have 4 young children to consider as well. So can you help me with this one? I sure would appreciate it. THANKS ! .... Fred

Nuke 'em' from orbit. It's the only way to be sure.

Actually I have the same experience as you, and use RAID flying insect killer. It does the job. Just don't forget the disposal.

The best advice I can give you has nothing to do with insect killer. Place all of your banana peels in a plastic zip lock bag. It works.

H&K-Guy

quote:

Place all of your banana peels in a plastic zip lock bag.

My clever wife came up with the idea of "freezer garbage." Things like banana peels, and any other trash that would smell and / or attract insects, goes into one of the plastic bags that the grocery store puts our stuff in, and then goes into the freezer until trash pick-up day.

Make an attractant by mixing together 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, 2 cups of water and 2 tablespoons of sugar. Stir in a few drops of dishwashing liquid and pour the solution into several jars. Set the jars in places where the gnats are congregating. Just don't let the children drink it!

Small custard dish, 1/2 of each Apple cider vinegar and water. Water cuts down the smell for the humans. Then add a few drops of dish soap.
Cover with cling wrap. Poke a few holes with toothpick then set where problem occurs. About three days, most will be trapped and dead. No poison in your house.

Works well. Repeat as needed.

quote:

Originally posted by TRIO:
Small custard dish, 1/2 of each Apple cider vinegar and water. Water cuts down the smell for the humans. Then add a few drops of dish soap.
Cover with cling wrap. Poke a few holes with toothpick then set where problem occurs. About three days, most will be trapped and dead. No poison in your house.

Works well. Repeat as needed.

This works like a charm. I don't even use the plastic wrap. They'll still fall in the water and drown.

quote:

Originally posted by jhe888:
This works like a charm. I don't even use the plastic wrap. They'll still fall in the water and drown.

Hells yeah they do. The drop of dish soap breaks the surface tension on the liquid, otherwise, they can just sit on top.

It's hard to notice them in the store. I'm of the opinion that they arrive with the bananas direct from the store. You'll likely be able see them at the store if you look for them.

When we get those pesky fruit gnats I use the vinegar and drop of soap thingy others have mentioned....

As far as insecticide, I use Bifen I/T that I buy at tractor supply, mix it to the ratio on the bottle and spray the interior once every third or so months and the exterior at the same time...unless I see ants or mounds, then I mix a gallon double strength and use half a gallon on each mound and spray a three foot swath around the mound to ensure I get the guys out on patrol.

I’ve used the Bifen since before my kid was crawling...it’s never hurt anyone in the home . And a friend used to work for Orkin and he said they used the same stuff.

But I wouldn’t spray my food with it.

The best pesticide is parathion, but you can't get it, and you don't want it.

Not sure but I'm thinking my wife may think that JB's suggestion may be a bit over the top. For the rest of you, I wish to thank you very much for your suggestions. They align very well with what I had already read - and it is ALWAYS helpful to have someone say that he had tried a particular solution and that it had worked. THANK YOU all.....FredT

For the occasional times this happens here I use old fashioned sticky fly trap strips.
Don't look so nice hung around but they are cheap and zero pesticides.
Lowes had a box of 4 for less than 3 bucks.

Go to your local nursery and pick up a venus flytrap

I'm reporting in. The vinegar "traps" have been sitting around now for almost 24 hours and I think I may have caught as many as 3 in each trap. I KNOW someone said that this worked for them but it has not worked for me at all. I am STILL thinking that I need a good insecticide. Does anyone have personal knowledge of such an insecticide? (I'm thinking DDT would be nice) These things are multiplying faster than I can trap OR swat them. Again, thanks for your help....Fred

The wife does a thorough rinse of the fruit when it gets home. Seems to work, or we rarely bring bugs home.

BTW, so you'll know -> I am aware of your insecticide recommendations & will be traveling to town this afternoon to get me some of that. Thanks again...Fred

I’ve had good luck with these: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07X...b3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl

Afterword: I am cognizant of the suggestions that were given for an insecticide & I will be traveling to town this afternoon to see if I can find some of that. I don't want you to think that I am ignoring your suggestions. Thanks again....Fred

Domyown is a website that specializes in selling pest control products. Click on ants, or roaches, or spiders, or whatever , and they recommend certain pesticides and approaches for those pest.

What you may have in your house could be common drain flies. They live in drains , multiply, and get aggravating. You might have to clean everything in the kitchen really well to include all the sinks and drains. Search for how to kill drain flies and you might be well on your way to fixing your problem.