- Last Updated on March 31, 2020
How to get rid of Fruit Flies
Fruit flies are small flying insects that are relentless in their efforts to annoy you and lay eggs on your leftovers.
But how do you get rid of them?
We’ve created an in-depth guide on just that. Keep reading to learn how to get rid of the common fruit fly.
In this pest guide you’ll learn about
- What causes fruit flies?
- How do I get rid of fruit flies in my house?
- How does vinegar get rid of fruit flies?
- How do you prevent fruit flies?
- Are fruit flies dangerous?
Nearly all homes encounter issues with fruit flies, which are both common indoors and out.
A Fruit fly infestation is most common during summertime when they are active outdoors. However, indoor infestations are possible during all weather conditions.
Did you know? There are over 170 different types of fruit flies in the United States and Canada.
What makes fruit flies appear?
Once you understand what makes fruit flies suddenly appear and what things attract them, you’ll have a better insight of how to prevent them.
The common fruit fly has a similar craving to that of most humans: they crave fruit and vegetables. If you’ve ever taken a bite out of an apple and left it on the side, a fruit fly will be close by to take advantage of your seconds.
Fruit flies are attracted by your trash
Fruit flies are particularly attracted to compost bins, as they are full of rotting fruit and vegetables. It’s recommended to keep these bins as far away from your home as possible.
Especially during the summer, you could try to separate your trash by placing all your organic items into a plastic container with a lid. This will create an air tight seal to help prevent fruit flies being able to feast and lay eggs.
Fruit flies are attracted by old stains and spills
If you’ve ever split some soda on your countertop and thought “I’ll clean it later” this is the type of activity that a fruit fly will be attracted to. They have a very good sense of smell, and these pesky fruit flies will focus on that area.
One of the best ways to prevent fruit flies from invading your home is to do a deep clean of your house regularly, paying close attention to the kitchen and countertop areas.
It’s not always obvious to see old spills and stains, especially if the liquid was clear or the same colour as the surface. This works the same way for any mess that wasn’t cleaned up properly.
How to get rid of Fruit flies?
These may involve:
- Taking out the trash
- Removing overripe fruit
- Disposing of rotting vegetables
- Regularly cleaning surfaces
- Ensuring bottles and jars are not leaking
The optimal strategy would include using a fruit flies trap combined with eliminating potential breeding sites.
There are several different traps you could use to get rid of fruit flies. We’ve listed a few ways below to help deal with this pest.
- Apple Cider Vinegar
Pour boiling apple cider vinegar into moist hiding areas such as shower drains, sink drains, garbage areas, and toilets. (Also use boiling water) - Get a drinking glass, pour 2″ of vinegar (apple cider vinegar, white vinegar, or balsamic) into the glass and mix with a tiny amount of dish soap.
The dish soap will act as a glue, in order to prevent fruit flies from leaving the vinegar and causing them to drown. It’s a good idea to cover the glass with a piece of plastic wrap then poke several holes to allow the smell of the vinegar to seep into the air.
Fruit flies will smell the apple cider vinegar and may fly into the holes seeking their next meal and get stuck in the liquid.
Use a bowl of soapy water – Fill a bowl up with a mixture of water and a few drops of dish soap, then mix them to form a bubbly and foamy liquid. Place the bowl under a light or lamp during the night. The dish soap essentially decreases the surface tension.
The reflection of the light may attract the fruit flies, they’ll land or fly into the bowl, and not be able to leave.
Fruits in a jar – Get a jam jar or mason jar and poke a few holes in the top using a screwdriver. Other recommended containers are peanut butter jars, coffee canisters etc. Take some organic trash such as apple cores or banana peels and place them inside the jar.
Similar to the vinegar concept, the average fruit fly won’t be able to resist the smell and may fly right into the holes. The chance of them being able to fly out again is dramatically reduced, as there won’t be a sweet smell coming from the outside air. Fruit fly traps are a great method, and the best part is most of them are homemade.
Weird methods to get rid of fruit flies
Keep a basil plant near your fruit and vegetables. Many chefs have noted that this method has had good results for repelling the common fruit fly. It would seem that fruit flies aren’t too fond of the basil smell! A more natural method to get rid of fruit flies.
Keeping Fruit Flies Away
Keeping a clean environment
Clean those surfaces after you’ve cooked your dinner, empty any leftovers from the sink, and throw in the trash. The cleaner the environment, the less likely you’ll have any fruit flies buzzing around.
Cover food
Throw away food if it’s going off
Dry up moist areas
Thoroughly wash your produce
Fruit flies will often catch a ride into your home on the back of produce such as apples, bananas, broccoli, strawberries and more. Make sure you wash the produce as soon as you arrive home from the store. This will not only remove any trace of a fruit fly, but it’ll also remove their eggs, which aren’t visible to the human eye.
Are Fruit Flies dangerous?
So now you’ve learnt what causes fruit flies and how to get rid of them. Did you want to learn how to make your own homemade fruit fly trap? If so, click here.
Ronald has 25 years of pest control experience under his belt. He scrutinizes each control method, product and process to prevent infestations effectively.
