Safe Insecticide

[bobby taylor]

I am having trouble with these tiny black flies around the food bowls. They look like fruit flies but a tad bit larger. I hate them!!! Do any of you know to get rid of them in a safe way??

[farrelli]

I don't know much about a safe insecticide, but do you know what a pitcher plant is? I'd have to ask around to see if they're safe for squirrels, but I know a few people who had problems with insects, got these, and the problem went away. I assume that they're readily available in Florida because you can even get them pretty easily here in Boston (Home Depot and such) and we're not exactly a tropical destination.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pitcher_plant

[Pointy Tale]

bobby taylor— hi, do you mean flies near a feeding station for wild squirrels? Have you tried cleaning it with regular household kitchen liquid soap and water? If that hasn’t worked, you might want to consider looking into TheraNeem Organix Neem Oil for the Garden (http://organixsouth.com/neem-oil-for-the-garden.html). They claim “Your garden will be safe for immediate use after spraying. Wash fruits and vegetables prior to consumption. TheraNeem Organix Neem Oil for the Garden may also be used on pets and livestock.”

Please take at look at their website from the link I provided and good luck.

[2ndHandRanchRescue]

Hi in my real life I'm a Plant and Pesticide Specialist for the Illinois Dept of Ag and I agree with Neem oil as safe. Insecticides by their nature are poisons to kill insects if if its a poison to a bug its a poison to us.

I won't go in to detail on types and their effects but even though my job is all about regulating pesticides - it makes me an organic gardener. I have marigolds planted on my garden borders and never use anything but soap and water. I have heard good things about Tobacco tea from websites - Master Gardener Jerry Baker. http://www.jerrybaker.com/garden/information/tipsandtonics.aspx

I hate when I go to garden centers and the folks try to sell me 'organic' pyrethrins and 'organic' Rotenone-Pyrethrin Spray. But yes it is organic but wicked toxic. We use Pyrethrins on fish kills on lakes and ponds when there is a restocking program with the DNR.

[bobby taylor]

These flies get in their pen around their food. They are very small black flies and this is the first year I have ever seen them. I need something I can put very close to where they hang out that is safe.

[CritterMom]

Stolen from the internet:

A homemade trap can be made by forming a cone-shaped funnel with an 8-by-10-inch piece of paper, sealing it with tape, and sticking it into a clean jar or wine bottle. Bait the jar with a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar or a slice of ripe banana. Place one or more of these traps on counters or in pantries where the pests are seen most often. The flies go in easily but can’t fly out. After you trap all visible flies, kill them with spray or release them outside. Rebait and replace jar traps, if necessary.


BTW, they lay eggs and breed in your drains. Run hot water with soap through frequently.

[Nancy in New York]

These flies get in their pen around their food. They are very small black flies and this is the first year I have ever seen them. I need something I can put very close to where they hang out that is safe.

Bobby, I heard this not long ago, haven't tried it but heard it works.
Take an empty clean jar that has a lid, put a pice about an inch wide of ripe banana in the bottom of the jar, put saran over it, tightly, then poke some holes in it with a toothpick, not too large though. These things will go after the banana and not be able to get back out......:dono
Also, can you get some of those sticky coiled fly traps so that when flys land on them, they stick. I would put that very close to the jar with the banana in it. Let me know if it works.:thumbsup

[CritterMom]

Bobby, I heard this not long ago, haven't tried it but heard it works.
Take an empty clean jar that has a lid, put a pice about an inch wide of ripe banana in the bottom of the jar, put saran over it, tightly, then poke some holes in it with a toothpick, not too large though. These things will go after the banana and not be able to get back out......:dono
Also, can you get some of those sticky coiled fly traps so that when flys land on them, they stick. I would put that very close to the jar with the banana in it. Let me know if it works.:thumbsup


Boy are you smart, Nancy!:rotfl

[Nancy in New York]

Boy are you smart, Nancy!:rotfl

:rofl4 :rofl4 :rofl4 I knew I read it somewhere......:poke :poke :poke