Fruit flies are an annoyance for lots of homes and businesses around the area.  They breed rapidly and are attracted to a variety of sources that are all over our kitchens and homes.  Some of the things that will attract fruit flies include:

1. Fruits such as bananas, lemons, apples, or anything with a high sugar amount.
2. Onions, potatoes and other foods high in starch.
3. Garbage disposals
4. Trash cans and recycle bins

All of these things are commonly found in almost every kitchen.  With a few simple steps you can help prevent their ability to live inside your home.  Here are some suggestions:

1. Keep fruits and vegetables stored in the refrigerator.  If you let bananas or other fruits sit too long, they start to break down and release sugars.  Same goes for potatoes and onions, both of which are high in sugar / starch.
2. Clean your trash cans and recycling bins on a regular basis.  It only takes a few drops of soda or beer to provide a breeding site.
3. Rinse cans, bottles or plastic containers before placing in trash or recycling bins.  If a soda can sits for more than a couple of days with soda inside, it can become a breeding site.
4. Clean your garbage disposal.  The tablets that you grind up in your disposal are a good first step.  Unfortunately the biggest breeding site is the underside of the rubber drain cover.  Most will pop out, soak it in hot water then run it through your dishwasher.  If you cant get it out, get a glove and use your finger to scrape the gook off the underside.
5. Mold especially on bread can also be a source as it releases the sugars in the bread and attracts flies.  One piece that fell behind the stove or fridge can cause major problems.

True control of fruit flies is done through breeding site elimination.  Sprays and traps will help to knock down adults, but a new crop will hatch out tomorrow and start the process all over again.  As hard as it is, you just have to keep looking.  If you get to a point where you can no longer take it, then give us a call or go to www.bluechipexterminating.com to schedule a service.  We have been providing St. Louis pest control services since 1959.

I wanted to let everyone know that this is the time of year that not only insects but small animals and rodents will try to get inside to stay warm as food sources are non existent and the heat that escapes the house is irresistible.  Here are some things that you can look for and do to prevent them from getting cozy inside.

1. Look to seal cracks and crevices around the outside of the home.  A mouse only needs a hole the size of your pinky finger and a rat your thumb.  Look around pipes, or conduits as they enter the home.
2. Check to make sure that your garage door closes completely.  If when it is closed you can see any daylight coming in underneath, then you may need to get it adjusted, or some of the trim may need to be replaced.
3. Keep bushes trimmed both away from the house, and up from the ground a little.  If the bush gets overgrown and too much is either touching the house or is sitting on the ground, it provides  a perfect harborage for rats and mice to live behind or under.
4. Make sure that trees are not touching or overhanging any part of the house.  If a tree is touching or is too close to the home, then mice and other small animals and some not so small animals will have access to most of the home through the attic.  In addition to animals, it is a preferred entry point for carpenter ants, who damage wood just like termites.
5. Keep wood piles stored away from the home.  Besides creating a harborage behind and underneath for rodents, a woodpile is basically a termite appetizer, and potential entry point to the home.

Hopefully these few tips will help keep the pests away.  If something does make it through  then feel free to go to www.bluechipexterminating.com for more tips, and control options for rodents, small animals, termites and general pest control for the entire St. Louis area.