Fruit flies are small and they can quickly take over your kitchen. They are attracted to ripe fruit, sticky spills, trash bins that are full and dirty drains, and one pair can produce hundreds of eggs. The solution to how to get rid of fruit flies comes down to two steps: eliminate the factors that attract them, and then use some traps to catch the rest. This guide will cover the causes of fruit flies and 5 effective low dollar solutions to get rid of and prevent them.
What Causes Fruit Flies?
Ripe and rotten food is attractive to fruit flies. They eat it and produce their eggs on it. But fruit isn’t all they’re attracted to. They can be brought in by anything that ferments or decays. Common causes include:
- Empty bottles and cans: Flies are attracted to leftover juice, soda or beer bottles.
- Food or drink that is spilled: Just a few drops of juice or a small crumb of fruit.
- Bins that are not emptied regularly, or do not close securely, provide a feeding place for flies.
- Dirty drains: Food and dirt in drains is an ideal breeding ground.
In solving these issues the risk of infestation is reduced. The following tips can help if you already have flies in your house.
Top 5 Ways to Get Rid of Fruit Flies
There is no need to use strong chemicals to control fruit flies. All these 5 techniques involve items you probably have at home. Use multiple to get the best results.
1. Apple Cider Vinegar Trap
This is considered one of the simplest and most popular traps. How to Make:
- Place apple cider vinegar in a small bowl or container.
- Pour in a couple drops of dish soap and gently mix.
- Place plastic wrap over and make small holes in the top.
The flies are attracted to the vinegar and crawl in through the holes. The liquid’s surface tension is reduced by the soap and the flies sink rather than flying off. Change out the mixture every 2-3 days.
2. DIY Fruit Fly Spray
Need fast results? Fill a spray bottle with water or rubbing alcohol to clean with a few drops of dish soap. When you notice the fly, you spray directly and the flies fall off straight away. But this will only kill adult insects you see. It will not prevent new flies from hatching; use in conjunction with the other measures listed above.
3. Use a Fruit Trap
Ripe fruit gives off an aroma that fruit flies are irresistible to, so make use of this. Place in a bowl an overripe piece of fruit, like banana or melon. Place plastic wrap over the bowl and secure it with a rubber band. Make small holes in the wrap. The flies will enter, but not be able to fly out of the fruit. Discard the trap out of the house after one or 2 days.
4. Clean Your Drains Regularly
Drains are a hidden source of fruit flies. Food particles and slime deposit inside the pipes and flies lay eggs there. They can be cleaned with very hot water down the drain. Alternatively, pour half cup of baking soda and half cup of vinegar. Allow to fizz for approximately 15 minutes and then rinse with hot water. Repeat once or twice a week until the flies are eliminated.
5. Block the Things that Attract
Adult flies are the only flies caught by traps. To prevent new ones, eliminate their food source:
Store ripe fruit in the refrigerator.
- Clean counter tops and tables from crumbs and spills.
- Put out trash regularly and line and secure trash cans.
- Wash bottles and cans prior to recycling.
- Look in the pantry for misplaced onions or potatoes.
These little things will deprive the flies of their food and they will diminish.
Final Word
Prevention matters most. Flies you see can be caught by traps and sprays, but new flies will not appear if drains are cleaned, food is kept covered and trash is emptied. If flies continue to return after two weeks of cleaning and trapping there may be a hidden breeding location, such as a floor drain or an area behind a wall. If so, a pest control inspection will be able to assist you in locating it.
FAQs
1.What’s the best way to eliminate fruit flies?
If the breeding source is removed and traps are set daily, most cases resolve within 1–2 weeks.
2.Where do fruit flies come from?
They typically hitch a ride on purchased vegetables or when doors or windows are open. Eggs could be present on the fruit by the time you receive it.
3,What is the best homemade fruit fly trap?
An apple cider vinegar trap with a few drops of dish soap is very good. The flies are attracted by the smell and the soap prevents them from leaving. If the mixture is changed every 2 or 3 days, the best results will be achieved.
4.Are fruit flies a problem?
Fruit flies are mostly harmless, but are unsanitary. They can pick up bacteria from refuse, drains, and spread them on food and kitchen surfaces.
5.When do I need to hire a pest killer service?
If flies continue after 2 weeks cleaning and trapping, call a professional. Home methods may fail to detect hidden breeding sites like floor drains, pipes or places in the wall, which an expert can discover.
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