4 days ago
Welsh shoppers buying bananas urged to do 1 strange task after taking them home
Welsh shoppers buying bananas urged to do 1 strange task after taking them home
This little-known trick could help prevent a very common issue during the summer, so people are being urged to take note
When you bring bananas home from the shop, you should do 1 thing before putting them in the fruit bowl
(Image: TommL via Getty Images )
Enjoying a banana is an excellent way to increase your potassium intake, and they offer a steady release of carbohydrates, ideal for those hectic days.
They're also fantastic for baking, which explains why they're a common item on many shopping lists.
However, it appears there's something crucial we should all be doing with our bananas once we return from the supermarket. It might seem like an unnecessary chore, but washing your bananas is vital, particularly during the warmer months, as it can help deter unwanted pests.
Why you should wash bananas
According to the experts at Southern Living, this strange ritual is important for a number of different reasons.
Of course you don't eat the banana skin, so it's not to do with your health, but instead it's about keeping pesky fruit flies away from your home.
These pests are known to lay their eggs on the skins of bananas, so when we purchase them from Asda or Tesco, we're essentially welcoming fruit flies into our homes.
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They're drawn to the aroma of maturing fruits, making it an ideal location for their larvae to thrive.
Their breeding and development cycle is incredibly rapid, so once they've infiltrated your home, it's not always straightforward to eliminate them, reports the Express.
Many of us will likely have a bunch of bananas at home
(Image: Getty )
How to wash your bananas
According to the experts, room-temperature tap water is best for cleaning bananas. After you've unpacked the weekly shop, rinse the bananas, making sure you get rid of any visible dirt or grime.
Spend about 30 seconds doing this, then set them on a kitchen towel to air dry. Alternatively, you can use a towel to pat them dry before placing them in your fruit bowl.
How to get rid of fruit flies
If you encounter fruit flies, you can trap them using two common household items: vinegar and washing-up liquid.
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Take an empty jar with a lid, punch some holes in the lid and fill it with a small quantity of apple cider vinegar and a few drops of dish soap.
The flies will be lured by the scent and enter the jar, but they won't be able to escape, making it an effective and cheap trap.
