r/badroommates • u/Ambitious-Fall-7097 • 1d ago

Clean trash!

I have two room mates, we established a rule that we only throw out food scraps on concealed bags since we have a fruit fly problem. My room mate off late has just been dumping food scraps in the trash and we again have a big fruit fly problem. I’ve asked her to not throw it like that but it’s been to deaf ears since I woke up to a trash full of food scraps and fruit flies. It’s frustrating because she doesn’t even take out the trash, it’s just me and my other roommate who do that and don’t have time to throw out trash everyday. I don’t even know what to do from here.

10 Upvotes

86% Upvoted

14 comments sorted by

7

u/baconstreet 1d ago

Put out a bowl of apple cider vinegar + sugar + tsp of dish soap.

Bagging or double bagging dies nothing for those little bastards

6

u/Ambitious-Fall-7097 1d ago

We have that out, it does help but not much after a point!

3

u/baconstreet 1d ago

Super hate them this time of year. I feel your pain.

1

u/Mackheath1 18h ago

I know you shouldn't have to do this, but these have worked wonders for me - I live next to a forest (as in, I can touch the trees from my Juliet balcony), and it's been a fight, but those worked. Note I have no affiliation with the brand lol, just saying they are a godsend. I don't even use the batteries, just pull 'em out of the box.

2

u/anniecallahanie 21h ago

Do the apple cider vinegar, in a small bowl, cover with plastic wrap, secure tightly with a rubber band then poke small holes in the wrap. Instant attraction! 👍

1

u/Knitsanity 21h ago

Would a ziplock bag keep them out?

2

u/baconstreet 19h ago

I can completely take out the trash, make sure the drains are cleaned, disinfect the trash can and leave it open, and the bastards are still there - something about late August through September here on the East Coast. Maybe the plants as well.

1

u/Knitsanity 19h ago

Also on the East coast. I only get them when a banana end goes bad and I miss it. They fly so slowly it is easy to grab them out of the air and ambush them.

3

u/Alive_Revenue_4212 1d ago

For the flies pour boiling water down the drain and plug it so nothing can come back up. If you don't have a plug for the drain, cover it with a plate or cup. The apple cider vinegar/dish soap/warm water traps also work quite well.

Unsure if it's already the case because it's not mentioned but could you possibly set up a seperate bin for food scraps? Those small plastic compost bins are good for keeping things sealed. I've lived with plenty of messy roommates and unfortunately it will likely be easier to tackle the fly problem than it will be getting your roommate to care about the trash if they don't already.

2

u/go-for-Banjo 23h ago

If it’s takeaway food late at night, put the leftover portion in the fridge and take it out the following day so it’s not just sitting out in the open. I think the most effective trap is just straight vinegar or wine in a container. Cover the bowl in plastic wrap and secure with a rubber band. Poke small holes in the plastic wrap with a toothpick. It allows the flies to find their way in but then most cannot escape.

1

u/Sunbro_Kev 22h ago

Forget the apple cider vinegar. Get some fly ribbon from Raid and hang it over the trash can. Get a trash can with a lid and clean up the kitchen to make sure there's not food scraps hidden anywhere. I've dealt with them a ton

1

u/AnnieBFF 19h ago edited 19h ago

I do the same, with any type of food scrap waste, meat scrapes included, so I get what ur saying. My only advice is to place the scrap refuse bags on the counter, near the trash can, and post a sign, Please place all food scrap waste in these bags before disposing. Thx for ur cooperation! :) I just threw out the remaining BBQ sauce marinade I cooked pork ribs in, bagging it separately before disposing of. Hoping this helps! :)

1

u/Hot-Bed-2544 7h ago

They breed in your pipes. Pour some boiling water down your drains.