Ah, Ha ! Does ACV Attract Gnats / Fruit Flies ??

[Chickie Mamma]

I am having a problem with gnats/ fruit flies (I think). I put ACV in the ducks water bowl and they spill it everywhere. Could that be where my problem is coming from? Here is a pic of what my fly traps look like in 8 hours. Its hard to see, but if anyone can identify these little bugs, I would greatly appreciate it! They are small and gray..

 

[ChickenToes]

I think it might, because there is a recipe for a homemade fly trap that uses ACV and sugar to attract flies.

 

[Chickie Mamma]

Thanks for the reply. I have noticed the increase in these little bugs since I started using the ACV in the ducks water. I was just thinking all this time that it was because of all the rain we have had in the past month.

 

[Eggs4Sale]

Just yesterday, I put out a container with ACV and pancake syrup. It has attracted about 20 flies, but no fruit flies. The fruit flies that hang out in my kitchen love fruits (obviously) but did not show any interest in my ACV/sugar trap. They were even on sliced cucumber, but not the ACV.

Do you find the critters drowned in the ACV/ water? Or do they just hang around? Could they be leafhoppers or aphids? Do you grow fruit or berries within 20 feet of your ducks?

Does your camera have a little flower on it that you could press for up-close shots?

 

[Chickie Mamma]

Quote:
Hello, thanks for the reply. The little bugs are not in the water bowl. They are only flying around the bottom (wire mesh). The water falls through the bottom of the house onto a tray that I clean everyday. I culd understand flies near the duck poo, but these little guys are flying around and they rest on the house too. At first I thought gnats, we have some, but not like this. Then I thought they looked like fruitflies. I am not very good at identifying bugs, but it seemed it got worse since I started with the ACV. I have not put any in the water for a few days now and I have noticed a decrease. Maybe I killed off most of the population with the fly traps? I change the fly traps every day and they are full of those little bugs. Yesterdays fly traps are not as full. Would it help if I bleach the area under the house where the water has fallen? None of the birds can get under there. They don't bite and I am not afraid of bugs, but they fly in my eyes and up my nose when I go to feed and water the birds. Its annoying! My camera stinks, I have to check if it has a close up icon..

 

[Eggs4Sale]

I wouldn't use the bleach. You might try Diatomaceous Earth. There are many threads on here about it. There's also a recent thread today about a fruit fly catcher. Something about putting sweet fruit into a container, then pouring water in, but not enough to cover the fruit. Cover the container with plastic wrap, really tight, no wrinkles, tape or rubber band it on. Then poke little holes with the tip of a steak knife. You could hang this near the ducks, where they can't reach it, and see how it goes.
The flying in your face thing is what the grape leafhoppers do to me. They go into my ears, nose, eyes, ECK!

I HATE those things! Found out too late that DE will kill them. They already killed my grapevines.

 

[chickencoop31320]

I would try the DE.
Bleach gives off fumes and birds are susceptible to things of that nature.
Not sure that it would HURT them so much, but wouldn't wanna take a chance myself.

I hate gnats too!!! Good luck with your buggy problem!

 

[Chickie Mamma]

Thanks again for all the help! I will get some more DE. I have been using Sevin-5 and its not working too well. ( I guess because they fly?) It is just so frustrating.. at least they do not bite