Home Distiller

Is anyone else bothered by these things? during fermentation time they seem to come out of nowhere, my house is clean, the fermentation area is clean and sanitized, but those critters apear every time. Now it's winter time here so their population has died down some what but I saw one flying around my fermenter! how do I rid myself of these things?

I get fruit flies, even during winter months... Try hanging an Off Deep Woods bug wipe near the fermenter... Or a sticky bug card/strip...

Good idea Rad, thanks I'll do That!

I had an infestation of fruit flies last fall. I found that EVERYTHING needs to be kept clean to keep them away. Fermenters need to be closed up tight and any spills need cleaned up asap.The best thing I've found to catch them was a small jar of early UJSM tails that has enough alcohol to kill them in it left open. Luckily around here the winter weather kills them off, so it's only the ones surviving inside that need to be worried about.

Hack wrote:I had an infestation of fruit flies last fall. I found that EVERYTHING needs to be kept clean to keep them away. Fermenters need to be closed up tight and any spills need cleaned up asap.The best thing I've found to catch them was a small jar of early UJSM tails that has enough alcohol to kill them in it left open. Luckily around here the winter weather kills them off, so it's only the ones surviving inside that need to be worried about.

I bait with open jar also .I hate them damn things .Always use funnel with few coffee filters to keep em out of collection jar.

Little bastards..........seems no mater how tight the fermenter, they came bore through plastic. Even metal.......Dirty little bastards. The worst part is, a couple get into your mix and next thing you know, you have a tub full of vinegar.

MuleKicker wrote:Little bastards...........

The proper term is 'flying drunkards'. I do not know WTF they come from, but damn, they come, and come quick. I have not seen one since last ferment 3 months ago, but I know if i get elderberries up this weekend, they will be here within a few hours.

They are 'magical' creatures. They magically appear out of a wisp of smoke. Similar to Jesus, i.e. immaculate conception. Damn little vermin. Yes, they are a flying vinegar making nuisance.

H.

Thank you guys for the rely, I have also noticed when ever I paint something large like a car or equipment, they also come around. So an open jar of product will atract them away from the fermenters? I like that one.