Fruit Flies in shave den

I have a small collection of soaps & creams in my shave den. All of them are in screw top plastic tub containers stored in a wall mounted cabinet. I am a neat freakish, perfectionistic, clean freak and I am having a problem with fruit flies in the shave den this past month (not swarms, but I kill about 2 per day and am not having this problem anywhere else in the house). I am baffled by this as everything is sealed. Has anyone else had this issue and if so how did you correct? Do you think there is a collection of soap residue down the drain or something that is attracting them? Any advice is much appreciated.

This time of year there will be all sorts of things looking to get out of the cold and the ensuing winter. It may not be a cleanliness issue. They may still be smelling the aromas despite the lids.

i've dealt with fruit flies on several occasions.. frequently in "shave dens".. it's something down the drains and not something on the counter.. i'd recommend a heavy duty drain cleaner and a solid airing out. see if that helps.. also.. a glass of wine with a drop of dish soap acts as a great fruit fly trapper if it ever gets really bad.

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Originally Posted by vthomlinson

a glass of wine with a drop of dish soap acts as a great fruit fly trapper if it ever gets really bad.

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Of course, for those of you with less class, beer works too!
:beer2:

Its probably the warmth and humidity of the shave den relative to the rest of the house thats attracting them there.

As mentioned, it is probably something in the drain, give it a good clean. You can make an effective fruit fly trap by filling an old yogurt container with vinegar (cider or red wine vinegar works best). Chuck in a chunk of overripe fruit and cover with aluminum foil or plastic cling wrap. Punch a few holes in the covering and set on the counter. Periodically dump and refill.

Check your sink over flow drain, might be clogged. Stick a coat hanger down it and twist is around. Pecker gnats can be bothersome.


Mike:)

Very interesting! I have been noticing the same exact thing around my apartment lately and I have been wondering what the hell is going on. I basically notice about one or two a day floating around.

They are basically harmless, so I tend to let them be unless they are right in my face, but I never attributed their presence to my overflowing shave products.

I could mail you my friend, the fruit fly specialist. :)

And if you have problems getting rid of Adam's friend after he takes care of your fruit fly problems, I can send you my chinese friend.

I met this guy on the Great Wall of China a few years ago.

:D

I thought I would provide an update. I cleaned all drains with ammonia first, then drain cleaner. I put a cup full of apple peels/apple cores + some beer covered in plastic wrap with holes poked in it in the shave den. 36 hours later, I took the captured flies outside and released them. Fly free for 48+ hours now! Woo-hoo! Thanks for the advice gentlemen!