are fruit flies driving you crazy? · sands of fruit flies. to eliminate any last hold-outs a few...
TRANSCRIPT
If you are seeing small flies or gnats in your kitchen,
they're probably fruit flies. While fruit flies can be a prob-
lem year round, they are especially common during late
summer/fall, and are widespread in homes, restaurants,
supermarkets and wherever rotting or fermenting food or
l iquid is located.
Fruit flies are attracted to rotting vegetables and fruit
(bananas) and other unrefrigerated grocery store produce,
as well as tomatoes, melons, squash, grapes and other
perishable items brought in from the garden.
The fi rst steps to elimination is to remove the sus-
pect fruit or vegetable. St i l l seeing the fl ies hovering?
Dig deeper. Check for a rotting potato or onion forgot-
ten in your bins or pantry, or juice spil led under the
refrigerator. Recycling bottles and cans can contain
small amounts of juice, wine or beer left in them could
be the source. Seeing the fl ies around your sink,
drains, or garbage disposal? Wet areas are breeding
sites. To rid yourself of these, pour a mixture of half
white vinegar half boil ing water down the drain daily
to stop them at the source. Keep the area around the
drain dry. You can also pour a ½ bleach and ½ water
mixture down drains. Remember not to mix bleach
with ammonia.
Even after the sources
of attraction and breeding
are eliminated, a single
female can breed thou-
sands of fruit flies. To
eliminate any last hold-
outs a few simple home
remedies can work won-
ders.
Construct a trap by plac-
ing a paper funnel (rolled
from a sheet of notebook
paper works) into a jar that
has been baited with a few
ounces of cider vinegar and
a drop or two of dish soap
(to break the surface tension and drown the flies). Place the jar
wherever fruit flies are seen. There are many variations of this
trap; any container can be used and plastic wrap to cover the
container with poked holes will allow fruit fly entrance. Baits can
vary as well; wine, beer or juice seem to work at attracting flies.
Of course if this do-it yourself kind of elimination is not your
preference, a pyrethrum-based, aerosol insecticide may be
used to kill any remaining adult flies in the area. Make sure
to read the label before use.
Cooperative Extension Service
Scott County
1130 Cincinnati Road
Georgetown, KY 40324
(502) 863-0984
Fax: (502) 863-2392
Scott.ca.uky.edu
October 2017
Your Gateway to Horticultural Education, Resources, and Solutions
Are Fruit Flies Driving you Crazy?
With cooler fall weather, you may have noticed what appear
to be stink bugs, on /in homes and buildings, cars. The insect in
question is a relatively new invader to Central Kentucky (since
2013). The brown marmorated stink bug (BSMB) has the char-
acteristic shield-shaped stink bug body and adults are approxi-
mately 5/8 inch long with a mottled brown-grey body. The 4th
segment of each antenna has a white band. Edges of the ab-
dominal segments that extend laterally from under the wings are
alternatively banded with black and white. The underside of the
body is white to light gray with grey or black markings, and the
legs are brown with faint white bands.
The BMSB is, as is the multicolored Asian lady beetle, be-
coming a familiar fall sight on/in many homes and buildings.
Adult BSMB’s are attracted to homes and structures in the fall as
protected overwintering sites. Large numbers may enter through
cracks and crevices. They will leave protected sites in the spring
to resume their life cycle.
How do you protect your home and buildings? Mechanical
exclusion is the best method to keep stink bugs from entering.
Cracks around windows, doors, siding, utility pipes, behind chim-
neys, and underneath the wood fascia and other openings
should be sealed with good quality silicone or silicone-latex
caulk. Damaged screens on doors and windows should be re-
paired or replaced.
Exterior applications of insecticides, may offer some minor
relief from infestations where the task of completely sealing the
exterior is difficult or impossible. Homeowner products contain-
ing the active ingredients deltamethrin, cyfluthrin, lambda-
cyhalothrin, cypermethrin, or permethrin are options. They
should be applied in the fall as the bugs begin to congregate.
These insecticides are broken down by sunlight so the residual
effect will decrease and may not kill the insects much beyond
several days or a week.
If numerous bugs are entering the living areas of the home,
attempt to locate the openings where the insects gain access.
Typically, stink bugs will emerge from cracks under or behind
baseboards, around window and door trim, and around exhaust
fans or lights in ceilings. Seal these openings with caulk or other
suitable materials to prevent the insects from crawling out. Both
live and dead stink bugs can be removed from interior areas with
the aid of a vacuum cleaner - however, the vacuum may acquire
the smell of stink bugs for a period of time.
Before the BSMB enter a building, exterior applications of
insecticides may offer some minor relief from infestations. Pesti-
cide products containing the active ingredients deltamethrin,
cyfluthrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, cypermethrin, or permethrin are
options. They should be applied in the fall as the bugs begin to
congregate. These insecticides are broken down by sunlight so
the residual effect will decrease and may not kill the insects
much beyond several days or a week.
It is not advisable to use an insecticide inside after the insects
have gained access to the wall voids or attic areas. Although
insecticidal dust treatments or aerosol-type pyrethrum foggers
will kill stink bugs that have amassed in wall voids or attics, or on
ceilings and walls in living areas, it will not prevent more of the
insects from emerging shortly after the room is aerated. Because
of this, these materials is not considered a good solution to long-
term management of the problem. Spray insecticides, directed
into cracks and crevices, will not prevent the bugs from emerg-
ing and is not a viable or recommended treatment.
The BMSB, native to China, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan, was
first collected in September 1998 in Allentown, PA but is sus-
pected to have arrived several years earlier. It is an agricultural
pest that feeds on the sap of a wide range of plants including
fruits, vegetables, ornamentals, and some field crops. Losses to
the insect have been reported from apple and peach orchards,
blackberry, field and sweet corn, tomatoes, lima beans, and
green peppers from other states.
THE BROWN MARMORATED STINK BUG
An Accidental Fall Invader
Start now-late September to early October- by limiting the
amount of water the plant receives. Water only when the topmost
(about 1 inch) layer of soil is dry to the touch. This causes the
plant to enter dormancy and dormancy is essential for Christmas
cactus blooming. At the same time, move both Christmas Cac-
tus and Poinsettia so that they are in temperatures between 50°-
60° F (and not more than 70°F, and receive certain amounts of
darkness. Your Christmas cactus will require at least 13 hours of
darkness and your poinsettia will need 15 hours.
Because flower initiation depends upon the length of the dark
period, your poinsettia must be kept completely dark from 5 p.m.
to 8 a.m. In order to get them in flower at Christmas, this treat-
ment should be from the end of September until December 15.
Bright, indirect light during the day is fine; however, temperature
and darkness are important. Christmas cactus plants should
continue receiving dark, cool treatment for at least 6-8 weeks, or
until buds begin forming. For both Christmas cactus and Poinset-
tia, make sure the location will accommodate both light and tem-
perature requirements. Place the plants in a closet, basement, or
garage if needed, making sure that the temperature does not go
below freezing and that they receive the needed darkness time.
If you have none of those areas with the right combination of
needs, covering the plants for the correct amount of time and
when uncovered, place in bright light. Provide them with water
and a general purpose fertilizer.
For the poinsettia, as the flowers (yellow) begin developing,
and bracts (red) show color, it is not as important to continue
giving the dark period, though it is advisable to continue until the
bracts are almost fully expanded.
For the Christmas cactus, after the buds start to appear and
enlarge, you can move it to a bright spot, and resume care. Giv-
ing the plant more bright, indirect sunlight will produce more
blooming. Christmas cactus also bloom better as pot-bound
plants.
MAKE SURE TO KEEP BOTH PLANTS OUT OF DRAFTS
AND AVOID COLD AIR BLASTS. These conditions will cause
the cactus buds to drop before blooming has occurred, and the
poinsettia will start dropping leaves, leaving you with a few
straggly leaves and stems. Giving the plants more bright, indi-
rect sunlight will produce more blooming. Christmas cactus also
bloom better as pot-bound plants.
When you force a Christmas cactus to bloom by providing it
the proper care, right light and temperature conditions, the
Christmas cactus may not only bloom once but may continually
produce blooms several times throughout the year.
On the other hand , after the holiday season is over, poin-
settias will begin to gradually lose their leaves in anticipation of
a resting period. Move the plant to a cooler, somewhat shadier
location. Don't worry about the leaves falling—they're sup-
posed to. Cut the water back, and only water when the soil is
dry to the touch. Do not fertilize. In late spring, when the tem-
perature outside is consistently 60 degrees or higher, move the
plant to its resting place outside in dappled, indirect sunlight.
Unlike the cactus, poinsettias should be repotted into a slightly
larger pot. Finally, resume watering and feeding normally, and
new leaves and shoots should appear.
by Sharon P. Flynt, Agent for Horticulture, Scott County
Extension.
How to Make a Christmas Cactus (and Poinsettia)
Bloom in Time for the Holidays
LIVING HARVEST CENTERPIECE – LARGER VERSION,
OCTOBER 24, 9:30 TO 11:00 A.M.
Learn how to create a super simple, completely charming, living centerpiece with a sim-
ple pumpkin and succulents that can be enjoyed now as a centerpiece for your fall deco-
rating and later as an easy care planting for your garden. Since each class participant
will go home with a centerpiece, pre-registration is required and appreciated. Sign up by
October 18th.
HEIRLOOM BULBS – OCTOBER 26, 6 TO 7:30 P.M.
Think stock market highs and lows are strictly a modern thing? No, not by a long shot. A spectacu-
lar market high and dramatic collapse occurred in 1637 and a single tulip bulb was the cause.
Come Learn about the history of, as well as planting, and care of Heirloom bulbs. Since each class
participant will go home with historical bulbs, pre-registration is required and appreciated. Sign up
by October 21st.
SWIM CAP HYPERTUFA FLOWER POT – NOVEMBER 14TH, 2-4:30 P.M.
Hypertufa looks like stone but weighs less and takes whatever shape you want, in this case a flower pot using a swim cap as our
mold. Sound intriguing? Then put on your grubby garden clothes and come experience hypertufa. Hypertufa containers are per-
fect for displaying rock-garden plants or succulents and over time, the hypertufa ages gracefully, collecting a patina of mosses
and lichens. . Complete instruction for construction of pot and how to “treat” it afterward will be given. Just note that your pot
will need to stay overnight at the extension office to dry. Class size is limited to 10 participants.
THE DOOR TO YOUR GARDEN POT – NOVEMBER 28TH, 6-7:30 P.M.
Create a quaint garden pot - miniature garden style - for yourself or for giving to those horticulture enthusiast on your Christmas
list! Participants will create their own “Door to your Garden” pot and then plant it with provided plant(s). All materials will be pro-
vided. More information to follow.
The Garden Club – meets monthly – October 17th, 9 to 11 a.m. – Guest speakers from Ward Hall, and making a Living Har-
vest Centerpiece – Smaller Version
Master Gardener Association Meeting – October 17th, 5:00, Potluck, 6-7:30 Meeting – on the agenda: planning for
2018.
Upcoming Classes: More information will follow in the November newsletter or check out our WEB-
SITE – Scott Co. Cooperative Extension Horticulture at https://scott.ca.uky.edu/content/horticulture
DATE CLASS TIME COST
October 24 Living Harvest Centerpiece 9:30—11:00 am Free
October 26 Heirloom Bulbs 6:00—7:30 pm Free
November 14 Swim Cap Hypertufa Flower Pot 2:00—4:30 pm Free
November 28 The Door to Your Garden Pot 6:00—7:30 pm Free
Sharon P. Flynt Agent for Horticulture Scott Co. Cooperative Extension
Buying Kentucky Proud is easy. Look for the label at your
grocery store, farmers’ market, or roadside stand.
Fall Spiced Pumpkin Bread
½ cup all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice ½ cup honey
1¼ cup whole-wheat flour ½ teaspoon salt 2 cups pumpkin puree
1½ teaspoons baking powder ½ cup melted margarine 1/3 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon baking soda ½ cup sugar 2 eggs
1/3 cup chopped walnuts
Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Mix flours, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin spice and salt; set aside. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together marga-rine, sugar, honey, pumpkin puree and olive oil. Blend in eggs. Add flour mixture. Stir until dry in-gredients are moistened. Spray a 8-by-4 inch loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray. Pour batter into pan; sprinkle walnuts on top of batter. Bake for 1 hour. Remove from oven and cover with foil. Return
to oven and bake an additional 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes and remove from pan.
Yield: 16 slices
Nutritional Analysis: 220 calories, 13 g fat, 2 satu-rated fat, 30 mg cholesterol, 270 mg sodium, 26 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 14 g sugars, 4 g protein
In September, Scott County Cooperative Extension Horticulture
Program hosted the 2017 KY Master Gardener Volunteer
Conference – East Meets West - an annual state conference
filled with multiple opportunities to learn everything horticultural,
from soil health to designing with natives!
On September 14th & 15th, 177 volunteers from around the
state converged on Georgetown to learn from experts in the
field of horticulture. The conference began with an opening ses-
sion featuring John Carloftis, a Kentucky native and nationally
known landscape designer. He shared pictures of his work
with roof top gardens in New York and his designs from around our country and England. In breakout ses-
sions UK Extension Specialists, as well as experts from the horticultural field, provided participants with infor-
mation that deepened their knowledge of various horticulture topics. Master Gardener volunteers from
across the state also shared their programs in their active county
groups that make a difference in their communities.
On Thursday evening, Georgetown/Scott County was highlighted at
pre-dinner activities at Yuk-En on the Elkhorn Friendship Garden with
entertainment by PYSCHO TAIKO, a local group of high school/
college students who play the style of Japanese assemble drumming.
The evening ended with dinner at the Cardome Renaissance Center,
where Jeff Singer, local landscape architect from Pratt’s Landscap-
ing, shared how our community came together to create Yuk-En on
the Elkhorn Friendship Garden. The event was completed Friday
afternoon with choice of tours to Bi-Water Gardens and Evans Or-
chard, a visit to Elmwood organic operation, or touring the
Georgetown Scott County Community Garden and local Country Boy
Brewing Company. The two day event was fun, informative, and a
great way to meet other Master Gardeners volunteers from around
the state. Next year’s tentative location for the state conference is
Western Kentucky. Scott Co. Master Gardener volunteers Jim True (left) Renee Corrigan (right), stop for a quick picture Thurs-day night with Scott Co. Horticulture Agent, Sharon Flynt (middle). Photo taken by Virginia McKenney,
MASTER GARDENERS’ CORNER BY CHAR WILLIAMS, SCOTT CO. MASTER GARDENER VOLUNTEER APPRENTICE
DID YOU KNOW. . .The current world record is held by Beni Meier, a Swiss ac-
countant by day, who grew a pumpkin that weighs in at 2,323.7 pounds, roughly the
same amount as a small car. Read more: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/surprising-science-giant-pumpkins-180957099/