Fruit fly in infertility research jan 18 2003
Fruit flies invade Norwich
Michael Allen
Thursday, April 7, 2011
3:09 PM
A Norfolk man is battling an infestation of fruit flies at his home in Stoke Holy Cross.
Matthew Jackson, 39, from Colman Avenue, said the flies began pouring into his bungalow around 10 days ago.
Since then, he has managed to catch hundreds of them using fly paper, chemical fly traps, as well as a makeshift trap using an old ice-cream tub with mashed banana and sugar inside.
“There were about 300 of them on the kitchen wall,” said the married dad. “They were all over the food.”
Professor Tracey Chapman from the UEA’s biology department attributed Mr Jackson’s problem to the recent spell of warm weather, as this can cause the flies to come out of their winter hibernation early.
She explained that these were likely to be a type of fly called drosophilids.
Around 1-2mm in length, with brightly-coloured eyes, they are often found in vegetable gardens or around the house attracted by rotting food and the yeast in alcohol.
In Norwich pub-goers have reported clouds of the flies around their beer.
“They’re pretty good at reproducing,” said Professor Chapman. “They can go from egg to adult in 10-12 days – depending on the temperature – and each fly can lay tens of eggs per day with a good food source”.
Mr. Jackson noted that his neighbours had indeed noticed the flies, but since they tended to keep their doors and windows shut they haven’t experienced the same problem as he has.
Infestations have also been reported in Trowse, Brundall, Hedenham and Shotesham.
Have you had a problem with fruit flies in your home? Call 01603 772477 or email newsdesk@archant.co.uk.
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21 comments
Hi Express Pest Control. The Fruit Flies have all gone. There's about 2 million in the traps. Well done & thanks Richard. Sunday lunch was saved and we didn't need to throw any more wine and spirits down the sink. These guys are the business and they have my pest control service contract now. David Hughes.
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Red Lion
Monday, April 11, 2011
Norfolk & Norwich Pest Control is right in saying that about Fruit Flies. We work closely with N&N Pest Control (actually, that was my idea, guys with the takeaway containers!) and the phones at one point didn't stop. Pubs and restaurants were really hit and it reminded me of the ladybird infestation on the north Norfolk coast some years ago. I remember helping the Hoste Arms at Burnham Market literally sweeping them up in the outside restaurant. Does anyone else remember that I wonder? Richard Pummell, Express Pest Control.
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Express Pest Control
Monday, April 11, 2011
Here's some tips on how to control fruit fly from the professionals. Drosophila belong to the family Drosophilidae of which there are over 1,500 species. They are a biologists favourite in sequencing DNA due to their rapid breeding cycle, and potential to lay up to five hundred eggs in ten days at their optimum temperature of 28 centigrade. As pest controllers, we have attended calls not only in Norwich but also in south Norfolk as far south as Thetford. Don't spray them - use a trap such as a wine bottle with a residue of wine left at the bottom, or for larger populations invest in about 50 takeaway foil containers from somewhere like The Range at Costessey, and pour in a layer of wine - about 75mm. Make a pencil-sized hole in the foil lid, place on the container and leave them indoors. Also, put your fruit in the fridge and ensure all your bins are disinfected. Why not post your results here - before they go!
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Norfolk & Norwich Pest Control
Monday, April 11, 2011
Are you barmy Martin Wallis?...the subject is Fruit Fly Swarms,and nothing to do with your polictical views,and you,ve spelt foreigners incorrectly
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Albert Cooper
Friday, April 8, 2011
What a bunch of Big Girls Blouses. Just wait 'til climate change due to man-made global warming brings malarial female anopheles mosquitos to these shores, THEN you'll have something to whinge about. They're on their way... Lemon grass is an effective deterrent.
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martin wallis
Friday, April 8, 2011
Albert. Just thought the invasion might be furriners. Again.
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martin wallis
Friday, April 8, 2011
The best way i have found to keep flies of any size out of the house is burning lemongrass oil in a burner, 4 drops is enough, they hate it and won't come in the house even if windows and doors are open :) Hope this helps some of you!! We had a load yesterday but after burning the oil they have all gone!
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riebie
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Cluster flies - Talked about them today at PestEx London Excel. You are right Abate will help, top pest control company http:www.abateltd.co.ukindexhomepage
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twomarketing
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Same problem in Briston,came home to clouds of them in the house.
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norfolkNgood
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Same problem in Briston,came home to clouds of them in the house.
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norfolkNgood
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Same problem in Briston,came home to clouds of them in the house.
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norfolkNgood
Thursday, April 7, 2011
biggest problem we have in norwich is barflies both with wings or 2 legs
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travelingchef
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Abate Pest Control can help - they can either come to you or they have an online store. http:www.abateltd.co.ukproduct.asp?page_id=33&prodCat=1 Highly recommended on thebestofnorwich: http:www.thebestof.co.uklocalnorwichbusiness-guidefeatureabate-limited39621
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Sara G
Thursday, April 7, 2011
They are attracted to alcohol, so perforating some cling film and putting it on a glass of something will act as a trap (like wasps in jam jars). If you don't want to waste your beer, use meths! A friend suggested the outbreak might be to do with various trees, unusually, blossoming simultaneously. ???
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Katie
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Martin Wallis Its no joke I can assure you ! but this is not a leftist political issue is it
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Albert Cooper
Thursday, April 7, 2011
We have lots in Thorpe St Andrew too. We had got rid of most by last night but there are lots more today after opening the door briefly to a caller. Grrrrrr pesky flies.
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KP
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Is this because animal liberationists are releasing them from captivity in research labs?
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Thoreauwasright
Thursday, April 7, 2011
"Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana" Groucho Marx
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Mr Majika
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana
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Mr Majika
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Same problem in Costessey. They're everywhere :(
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Fry
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Thank Goodness,as I had Thousands invade my flat yesterday[ Wednesday] and wondered if I was the only one infested! does anbody know a ood extermination method?
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Albert Cooper
Thursday, April 7, 2011