Fruit flies are very difficult pests to control conventionally in orchards,cumbers,melons,tomatoes,traps are an appropriate technique to reduce their population.
Traps for fruit flies typically contain baits with a mixture of protein and sugar. Fruit flies need protein during their egg laying period. The traps are constructed in a way that flies have entered to take the bait,they can no longer escape (462). It's best to bait the traps 6-8 weeks before the fruit ripens. Catches should be monitored regularly and the baits changed,especially after rains. Braun (80) observed that fruit flies prefer to concentrate in the evenings on the west side of the trees and suggests to hang traps & baits there.
Some successfully used baits are presented below:
1 little of water,1/2 cup, 11/2 teaspoons vanilla essence,100g sugar,10g pyrethrum.
All the ingredients are well mixed together. Small jars,each holding 50cc are hang at 3 meter intervals throughout the garden (462).