Kombucha & Fruit Flies

bananacake · 08-13-2015, 05:39 AM

Any of my fellow kombucha makers have a problem with fruit flies in the summer? They don't get in the kombucha, but they land on the towel I lay on top. I can't get rid of them!

I've made fruit fly traps - doesn't really help.

Suggestions?

WanderingJuniper · 08-13-2015, 06:17 AM

We did. I didn't think much of it till now. We are notbrewing this summer and we don't have fruit flies this summer. I didn't make the connection...

houseforjoy · 08-13-2015, 09:20 AM

put a jar of open komb. next to the brewing stuff. put a funnel in it --the fruit flies will get in but not be able to get out. just put like an inch of komb. in the jar

Soliloquy · 08-13-2015, 11:04 AM

I started using an actual lid during summer. It's not screwed on tightly but it keeps them away.

They can lay eggs and infest your SCOBY, or so I've read. It's never happened to me, though.

bananacake · 08-13-2015, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soliloquy

They can lay eggs and infest your SCOBY, or so I've read. It's never happened to me, though.

Thanks, I'll try that. I don't think they are getting in. I use a coffee filter with a very tight rubber band, and then drape a towel over it. But it's still gross.

2sunshines · 08-14-2015, 02:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by houseforjoy

put a jar of open komb. next to the brewing stuff. put a funnel in it --the fruit flies will get in but not be able to get out. just put like an inch of komb. in the jar

I saw someone do this and their jar was FULL of flies so it obviously works really well! But what do you do with them after? Because that doesn't actually kill them right? Do you just take the jar outside periodically to release?

houseforjoy · 08-14-2015, 06:18 AM

You take the funnel out cover the top and swirl, or just wAit for them to eventually fall in and drown when it gets really full I just dump down the sink

Soliloquy · 08-14-2015, 07:28 PM

I make fruit fly traps with banana peels or over ripe fruit that we won't eat. When it's full, I put the whole thing in the freezer. A fun experiment for your kids is to see how long they can be in the freezer and still revive. They can be be in there quite awhile.

HomeWithMyBabies · 08-14-2015, 07:34 PM

I always used t shirt material to cover, and they seemed to leave my brooch alone.

A very simple trap is a small bowl of ACV with a drop of dish soap. The soap breaks the surface and they fall in.

bananacake · 08-19-2015, 11:45 AM

The metal lid is working. I already have the ACV/dish soap trap set up. The only issue with using lids is half of my kombucha jars don't actually have metal lids. They are just random large glass jars I bought secondhand, so the Ball jar lids don't fit.

08-13-2015, 05:39 AM	#1
bananacake Rose Garden I Am A BananaCake Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Northeast US Posts: 25,118	Kombucha & Fruit Flies Any of my fellow kombucha makers have a problem with fruit flies in the summer? They don't get in the kombucha, but they land on the towel I lay on top. I can't get rid of them! I've made fruit fly traps - doesn't really help. Suggestions? __________________ Brenna 3 kiddos (16 1/2, 14 & 9) Praying for semi-son, age 35 I live by the motto: seek first to understand. "Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions." Proverbs 18:2

08-13-2015, 06:17 AM	#2
WanderingJuniper Rose Garden Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 10,819	Re: Kombucha & Fruit Flies We did. I didn't think much of it till now. We are notbrewing this summer and we don't have fruit flies this summer. I didn't make the connection...

08-13-2015, 09:20 AM	#3
houseforjoy Rose Garden trying to live like olaf "this is the best day of my life!... and quite possibly the last!" Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: in the sunshine with my own personal flurry Posts: 9,563	Re: Kombucha & Fruit Flies put a jar of open komb. next to the brewing stuff. put a funnel in it --the fruit flies will get in but not be able to get out. just put like an inch of komb. in the jar __________________ Amanda, ENFJ Mommy to my bounty: ds 13 years, dd 12 years, dd 9 years , dd 6 and ds 4 Psalm 13 How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?How long will you hide your face from me? 2 How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day?....because I am shaken. 5 But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. 6 I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me.

08-13-2015, 11:04 AM	#4
Soliloquy Rose Garden Why climb a mountain? Because it's there! Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Selkirk Mountains Posts: 52,860	Re: Kombucha & Fruit Flies I started using an actual lid during summer. It's not screwed on tightly but it keeps them away. They can lay eggs and infest your SCOBY, or so I've read. It's never happened to me, though.

08-14-2015, 06:18 AM	#7
houseforjoy Rose Garden trying to live like olaf "this is the best day of my life!... and quite possibly the last!" Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: in the sunshine with my own personal flurry Posts: 9,563	Re: Kombucha & Fruit Flies You take the funnel out cover the top and swirl, or just wAit for them to eventually fall in and drown when it gets really full I just dump down the sink __________________ Amanda, ENFJ Mommy to my bounty: ds 13 years, dd 12 years, dd 9 years , dd 6 and ds 4 Psalm 13 How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?How long will you hide your face from me? 2 How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day?....because I am shaken. 5 But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. 6 I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me.

08-14-2015, 07:28 PM	#8
Soliloquy Rose Garden Why climb a mountain? Because it's there! Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Selkirk Mountains Posts: 52,860	Re: Kombucha & Fruit Flies I make fruit fly traps with banana peels or over ripe fruit that we won't eat. When it's full, I put the whole thing in the freezer. A fun experiment for your kids is to see how long they can be in the freezer and still revive. They can be be in there quite awhile.

08-14-2015, 07:34 PM	#9
HomeWithMyBabies Rose Garden Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 24,062	Re: Kombucha & Fruit Flies I always used t shirt material to cover, and they seemed to leave my brooch alone. A very simple trap is a small bowl of ACV with a drop of dish soap. The soap breaks the surface and they fall in.

08-19-2015, 11:45 AM	#10
bananacake Rose Garden I Am A BananaCake Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Northeast US Posts: 25,118	Re: Kombucha & Fruit Flies The metal lid is working. I already have the ACV/dish soap trap set up. The only issue with using lids is half of my kombucha jars don't actually have metal lids. They are just random large glass jars I bought secondhand, so the Ball jar lids don't fit. __________________ Brenna 3 kiddos (16 1/2, 14 & 9) Praying for semi-son, age 35 I live by the motto: seek first to understand. "Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions." Proverbs 18:2

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