Sunday, August 14, 2011

The Lure of Fruit?



This is our kitchen table.
Full of various fruits
also known as,
"healthy choices".

I put them out for all to see
because if I don't,
 they don't get eaten.
(Which happens a lot.)





Has this little grouping
attracted my family yet?

No!





But the summer's
little fruit flies
have managed to find it.


 
So I set a trap,
one that my sister, Susan,
had told me about a few years ago.










 
In a small bowl, 
take cider vinegar and about
1 teaspoon of  dishwashing liquid and stir.
Place the bowl by the fruit.








Whaalaa.
In less than thirty minutes
I had six little buggers!







Now if I can just figure out
a way to attract my kids.
:)


NOTE:  Trixie, official keeper of the fruit, was fired shortly after this incident.




26 comments:

Kim said...

I'm sure those pesky fruit flies probably ambushed poor Trixie. Go easy on her! ;o)

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

Poor Trixie. It isn't her fault. It is your family that keeps ignoring the fruit.

Pinky at Designs by Pinky said...

I bet Trixie is doing her best but those darn fruit flies are relentless!!!!! But, now you have a plan of ATTACK!!!!! You and Trixie WILL prevail, LOL!!!!! XO, Pinky

Richard Cottrell said...

Put candy under a net with a stick, when the kids go inside to get the candy, net will fall. Tie them to a tree and give them a good book. Richard at My Old Historic House

FABBY'S LIVING said...

Poor Trixie, she probably didn't have your recipe for fruit flies! She' so cute, why don't you hire her back, hon...Thanks for it, I could certainly use it. When you get the recipe for kids send it to me too!! I just came from MM at, BNOTP, or The House of the Roses. Have a great week. Hugs, FABBY

Beverly@southernhomesweethome said...

I will try that recipe next time those irritating things make their way in.. here is a question, maybe you guys know, where in the world do those things come from?

Stitchfork said...

Great tip...but poor Trixie, maybe give her another chance!
xo Cathy

ℳartina @ Northern Nesting said...

Great post Alison! Thanks for the info on trapping those darn fruit flies! Don't be to hard on poor Trixie!! Martina

Hill Country House Girl said...

What a great trick for the fruit flies! I do the same thing with fruit at my house - put it out on the island in hopes that my family will grab it, rather than the chips or crackers OR complaining that there is "nothing to eat in this house"! (That statement drives me crazy) I love your little fruit guard - maybe give her a second chance!

Karen said...

Very cute and funny post!! Great idea for catching fruit flies. I hadn't heard of that one. You can also leave an empty wine bottle sitting by your fruit. They go in after the little bit of wine left in the bottle and can't find their way out!
xo~
Karen

Sharon Lee Johnson said...

Isn't it maddening! Here in South Africa, fruit is in such abundance, and is so cheap, but my kids refuse to eat it unless I force them. I see it's an international problem. :) x Sharon

Robin@DecoratingTennisGirl said...

Great idea. You are right, when the fruit gets tucked away in the fridge, we sometimes forget about it. I love the cloth under your fruit. Beautiful!
xoxo

Becca Bertotti said...

That tip works like a charm! Sorry about the flies AND Trixie ... I'm sure she'll be back soon!

Babs said...

My husband and son could manage to peel a banana but an apple or orange?...never.
Poor Trixie looks like she's really trying.She's so cute, she's even providing music. Great tip to get rid of those maddening fruit flies.
Cute post.
Babs

The 'splorin' Wolfies said...

put chocolate around the fruit? that will lure the kids!

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

LOL!! Loved this post. I too try to leave fruit out - no kids left in my home, but trying to get the hubbie to eat fruit instead of potato chips! Love the fruit fly trick,

Deserae said...

I have never heard of that litte trick before....I will be trying it out for sure! Where DO those little flies come from anyways?!?! LOL
~Des

Lou Cinda @ Tattered Hydrangeas said...

Oh, I have had the same problem! A year or so ago I got fruit flies and it was AWFUL! I think they reproduce in mid air! I googled and found the same solution....works like a charm!

Poor Trixie!

Lou Cinda

michele said...

ha! my guys need fruit dip to get excited about fruit. cream cheese + powdered sugar + marshmallow fluff = disappearing fruit.

michele

Poppy @ With a Dash of Color said...

Thanks so much for sharing this helpful tip to trap those flies... they are all over my house this summer and I'm so grateful for this tip. I didn't know how to get rid of these pesky insects until now. And I know what you mean about having those fruits out to motivate the kids to eat them....Poor Trixie! But I'm sure she'll become useful somewhere else cause she is so cute... Thanks for you sweet comment. It is always a pleasure to have you over.Have a great week!~Poppy

http://withadashofcolor.blogspot.com/

Elizabeth and Gary said...

You are so funny! What a great idea I have never heard of this remedy to capture fruit flies.
Its not Trixie fault, its the kids...LOL I know blame it on the kids :)
We do...
Have a sweet day, Elizabeth

Mary Ann Pickett said...

That is so interesting! I put out lots of fruit, too.

Rachel Rose Mercantile said...

This post was hilarious! Loved the vibrant pictures and yummy fruit!Yeah you!

Debbie--http://refreshrestyle.com/ said...

I'm sure Trixie learned a life lesson! If I were there I'd eat the fruit! My fruit displays don't last long.
Debbie

laxsupermom said...

I leave fruit out in a bowl on the counter for the kids, too. Maybe you've just displayed it too artfully, and they think it's a not-to-be-touched vignette? Great tip on the fruit fly catcher. Thanks for sharing.

Designing Domesticity said...

I've been giving this a try over the last week and it really does work - thanks for the tip! liz