subject: Pest Control Tips For Your Jack-o-lanterns [print this page] Vinegar flies, more infamously known as pesky fruit flies, may be harmless, but they are annoying insects nonetheless with their tendency to swarm around spoiled or rotted perishables. During a season when carved pumpkins perch on porches for days, maybe even weeks, the fruit flies can become a big nuisance, in part due to their rapid reproduction.
To achieve effective pumpkin pest control, Portland homeowners need only follow a few simple tricks for keeping their carved pumpkins as fresh as possible so their gourd masterpieces can be fully appreciated on Halloween night.
1. Scrape it clean.
When you begin the carving process, make sure you scoop out as much of the guts as possible. Employ a spoon or small putty knife and use plenty of pressure to scrape the inside of the pumpkin wall. By doing this, you will reduce the likelihood of mold growing within the pumpkin, especially in a moist location such as Portland. Pest control for your pumpkin entails delaying the process of decomposition process as much as possible to prevent attracting insects such as fruit flies.
2. Watch where you store it.
Another important pest management tip is to place your finished jack-o-lanterns in a cool, dry area with a temperate climate (41-50 degrees Fahrenheit) until you are ready to display them. Garages and basements work well for this purpose. If you simply must display your pumpkins before Oct. 31, place them in a location with limited exposure to the elements and sun, such as on a covered patio or porch.
3. Spray with bleach solution.
Finding the right balance of moisture will help keep your carved pumpkin fresh and keep any fruit fly pest management problems under control. On one hand, you don't want your pumpkin to dry up and deform your handiwork. On the other hand, a pumpkin that is too wet will end up with fuzzy mold growing all over the inside. In both situations, the weak areas and bottom of the pumpkin will begin to rot, and your pest management endeavors will have been thwarted.
A spray consisting of a mixture of 1 teaspoon bleach and a gallon of room-temperature water applied to the inside of your pumpkin daily acts as both an antimicrobial and hydrating solution. Be sure to turn the pumpkin upside down and drain it after spraying to prevent mold from growing. If done correctly, this approach can slow down the rotting and insect-swarming processes for your gourd.
Remember, though: This is just a temporary solution for pest management and to delay the decaying process for your carved pumpkin.
4. Don't get tricked.
There are tips out there suggesting you consider using acrylic spray or any kind of glue in order to preserve your pumpkin. Don't be fooled. These products actually trap moisture inside the pumpkin walls, causing the gourd to rot earlier and increasing its attraction to fruit flies and other pests.
By applying these techniques, you'll have people running up to your porch on Halloween wanting to get a closer look at the whimsical and intricate pumpkins you have on display.
