How to Keep Fruit Flies out of Wine Glasses

Pour wine at the last minute to avoid little extras.

A collection of dead or drowning fruit flies does not add much to the appeal of a drink. Especially during the summer, these tiny little flies find sweet or alcoholic drinks very appealing. Anybody having an outside party or meal might find flocks of the creatures heading to the drink glasses to drown. If you prefer that your wine does not have an insect-based garnish, there are a few tricks to keep fruit flies away.

Things You'll Need

• Limes
• Knife
• Essential oils
• Oil burner
• Paper coasters
• Cardboard
• Pebbles

Instructions

1. Cut a lime into wedges and smear lime juice around the rim of each wine glass, if this won't ruin the taste of the wine. Lime juice is so acidic that it may deter fruit flies, which prefer sugar.

2. Burn oils repugnant to fruit flies in an oil burner or candle. Remember to keep an eye on the flame during your meal or party. Oils whose scent is repulsive to flies but pleasant to humans include citronella and lemongrass.

3. Pour the wine at the last minute, just before you plan to start drinking. The longer drinks sit around, the more chance the local fruit fly population will find them.

4. Place paper coasters over the wine glasses, if you plan to leave them for more than a couple of minutes. It only takes a moment for a whole bunch of fruit flies to locate a wine glass and drown. If you are outside and it is breezy, use pieces of cardboard. Put pebbles on top if the weather is very windy.

References

• Taste Wine: How Can I Keep Fruit Flies Out of My Wine Glass?
• Mother Earth News; Shoo Fly; Anita-Louise Halstead; October/November 2009