Object of Desire: Simple Covers to Keep Fruit Flies Away

In this week’s Summer Throwback issue, we’re going way back to some reader-favorite stories from summers past, like this one:

Through the hot summer months in our kitchen, my partner and I are in a constant battle against armies of fruit flies—a new battalion each day.

Looking for a way to to save our batch of just-picked blueberries, I stumbled on a simple, classic solution.

(N.B.: Since this story first published, I read a great mini-essay about fruit flies in Nina MacLaughlin’s slim little book called Summer Solstice. “They arrive in July, once the heat has settled in,” she writes, “and for the warmer weeks of the year we begrudge each other’s presence.” Highly recommend picking up a copy, in addition to one of the below.)

Above: The Rachel Food Covers are available in three colors; $50 for a rectangular set from Happy Kangaroo. Above: The Foldable Mesh Dome is $29.90 from Zara Home. Above: The Collapsible Woven Food Tent is $28 from Uncommon Goods.

For more summer solutions, we also suggest 5 Favorites: Design-Worthy Tools for Keeping Pests at Bay.

N.B.: This story is an update; the original post ran on August 4, 2022 and is has been updated with all-new products.