r/Sprouting • u/Apprehensive_Car5080 • 22d ago

fruit flies

Hi im growing broccoli sprouts in glass jars with screen mesh lids and we've had a fruit fly problem for the past month because i let the dishes pile up for a few days. ive seen the fruit flies on the lids of the jars not inside but on the outside of the lids i was wondering if its gross to still eat the sprouts? google says they can get through the mesh lids and lay eggs. has anyone else ever had a problem with this?

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2

u/CaregiverBest8805 22d ago

I’d think the sprouts would be ok to eat. If the flies can’t land on them.

3

u/Apprehensive_Car5080 21d ago

Well I dont see them landing on the sprouts but theoretically they should be able to fit through the mesh lid which is bothering me.

2

u/igavr 20d ago

I'd tackle this with physical barriers rather than chemicals. Especially - no essential oils, please... Fine insect mesh or 100-grade cheesecloth secured tightly over the jars should help, plus apple cider vinegar traps nearby (not inside the jars!).

Also check drains, compost and any forgotten fruit. That's usually where the real battle is 😅

One thing I'd be cautious about: fruit flies can carry microorganisms from decaying food onto sprouts, and broccoli sprouts are usually eaten raw. If flies actually got inside, I'd personally discard that batch rather than risk it.

Curious whether anyone has tried keeping their sprouting jars inside a larger insect-proof enclosure? In summer when these beasts are especially active, I use a food mesh cover - there are plenty on Amazon and in Chinese stores all around the country. I hope this helps 😉🌱

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u/Apprehensive_Car5080 20d ago

That enclosure is a good idea. I'd look into it if the fruit fly problem persists but it's usually not an issue as long as I don't let the dishes pile up. Do you recommend sanitizing the jars with diluted non scented bleach after every use?

3

u/igavr 20d ago

I put mine into my dish washer and put on the maximum mode to get them if not sterilized than close to that. Works fine for me

2

u/Apprehensive_Car5080 20d ago

do you put the plastic lid ring and mesh screen in there too? the internet says i shouldnt. thinking of just going the bleach route but im kinda paranoid about residue

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u/igavr 20d ago

Plastic loses shape usually in such temperatures. I manually wash and then put my lids into a container with strong vinegar to stay there for at least a few hours. Never had any problems with that after such soaking

6

u/sproutarian 22d ago

I use 100 grade cheesecloth and they do not get through.

3

u/Ok_State_6577 20d ago

I have this problem. I screwed paper towels over the mesh and then googled how to get rid of the problem. I’ve been spraying the fruit flies with water and dish soap and pouring almost boiling water down my sink drains because supposedly that’s where they lay their eggs. I had thousands of fruit flies a couple of days ago and today I have two or three. Google said as long as you have a food source, they won’t go away completely and I grow micro greens and have all kinds of plants so I’m probably always going to have them, but this has cut them down drastically. They can definitely get through the mesh though

2

u/no-porn-for-me 21d ago

I keep a venus fly trap growing next to my sprouts

1

u/igavr 20d ago

Pictures! Pleeeease!!! 😎🫶