A Complete Guide: How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies

Summer means tall glasses of lemonade, fresh fruits and vegetables, and fruit flies. Buzzing everywhere, from your favourite food items to the grossest trash cans, fruit flies are the last thing you want to deal with this summer. Even though fruit flies don’t bite or poison, they are disgusting and can make your all-clean home appear dirty. This article will teach you everything there is to know about fruit flies and how to get rid of fruit flies from your home once and for all. Keep reading to remove these pesky creatures from your property.

What Are Fruit Flies | Where Do They Come From?

Have you seen tiny reddish-brown creatures flying around the kitchen? Measuring about 1/5 to 1/10 inches, fruit flies are one of the most common yet annoying household pests. Although it might seem like fruit flies can pop out of nowhere, they are actually attracted to the rotting, ripe, and decaying vegetables, fruits, and produce in your kitchen. Fruit flies also love to thrive on fermented substances like wine, liquor, and beer. Female fruit flies can lay over 500 eggs at a time, so getting rid of them as soon as you see one buzzing around the house is important.

While fruit flies can easily enter your property through open windows and doors, they are usually bought from store-bought vegetables and fruits. Fruit flies are also an indicator of a dirty house. Thus, search your house for rotten food, throw it away, and clean the area as soon as possible.

Note: Fruit flies can live up to 50 days and usually attack in the summer and early fall months.

4 Ways to Get Rid of Fruit Flies for Good

Fruit flies are pestering little buggers that won’t go away easily. To make your life easier, we have compiled a list of the four most efficient techniques on how to get rid of fruit flies.

1.      Create a Dish Trap

Also known as the soap and bowl trap, the dish trap is the easiest way to kill fruit flies. Here is what you need to do:

• Step 01: Take a bowl and fill it with apple cider vinegar.
• Step 02: Now squirt a few drops of dish soap into the bowl and mix it well.
• Step 03: Place the bowl in the microwave and heat it for a few minutes to make the mixture more aromatic.
• Step 04: Lastly, leave the bowl as bait in the area most infested by fruit flies and wait. Because the soap reduces surface tension, all the fruit flies that try to feed on the apple cider vinegar mixture will drown.

2.      Stage a Jar Trap

Another popular method is to trap fruit flies in a bottle or jar. Before we begin, note that this method can be used with wine, beer, apple cider vinegar, or fruit juice. In order to make the process easy to understand, we will use apple cider vinegar in this guide: 

• Step 01: Take three to four jars or bottles and pour apple cider vinegar into them.
• Step 02: Cover these jars with plastic wrap or paper. Use a rubber band to ensure a firm fit.
• Step 03: Use a toothpick or anything pointed to create small holes in the plastic wrap.
• Step 04: Place these jars around your house and wait for the fruit flies to fall for the trap.

3.      Try the Old Fruit Trap

If you don’t have any apple cider vinegar, the fruit trap has you covered. Follow these steps to trap fruit flies using rotten fruit:

• Step 01: Chop the rotten fruit into small pieces and place them in a bowl.
• Step 02: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap. You can also use a rubber band to ensure a tight grip.
• Step 03: Use a toothpick to poke holes large enough for the fruit flies to find a way in but small enough to prevent them from escaping.

4.      Use Store-Bought Products

For those who don’t like DIY techniques, insect repellents and sprays can also be used to hunt fruit flies and remove them from your home. Some of these products include:

• Bye Bye Fruit Fly Solution – These are odourless fruit fly repellent strips lasting up to 120 days.
• Fruit Fly BarPro Strip – Pour this into a small bowl, place it near the fruits and vegetables, and you will be free of fruit flies before you know it.
• Aunt Fannie’s FlyPunch Fruit Fly Trap – Place it on the kitchen counter. Remove the lid and wait for the fruit flies to get trapped.

If none of the above-mentioned tips is working, hire an exterminator. The professional will use special chemicals to effectively and efficiently remove all fruit flies from your property.

Tips to Prevent Fruit Flies from Coming Back

Now that you know how to get rid of fruit flies, follow the below-mentioned preventative tips to ensure that the fruit-loving insect doesn’t come back:

• Eliminate any potential breeding ground.
• Store vegetables and fruits in the fridge.
• Make sure to throw all overripe fruits and vegetables in the dustbin.
• Take out the garbage every day.
• Ensure that your kitchen doors and windows are sealed.
• Don’t forget to clean the drain.
• If you see any fruit fly eggs or larvae, remove them immediately.
• Clean all spillages as soon as possible, especially alcohol and fruit juice spills.

Wrapping It Up!

If left unadressed, fruit flies can pose severe health risks to you and your family. While they might not deliberately bite you, poison you, or eat or damage the furniture, fruit flies deposit bacteria into the fruits and vegetables in your kitchen. Use our guide to eliminate fruit flies from your property. Also, make sure to follow the prevention tips to minimize the threat of fruit flies infestation.

People Also Asked

What kills fruit flies quickly?

A mixture of apple cider vinegar and dish soap in a trap is highly effective for quickly killing fruit flies. The vinegar attracts them, while the soap breaks surface tension, causing them to sink and drown.

What is the formula for getting rid of fruit flies?

The most effective formula combines prevention and elimination. Remove all sources of fermenting fruit, use vinegar traps, and maintain cleanliness. A mix of apple cider vinegar, water, and a few drops of dish soap in a container works wonders.

What smell do fruit flies hate the most?

Fruit flies strongly dislike the smell of peppermint, lemongrass, and lavender. Using essential oils or plants with these scents can help repel fruit flies from your home.

Does boiling water kill fruit fly eggs?

Yes, boiling water can effectively kill fruit fly eggs. Pour it down drains and over areas where fruit flies might lay eggs, such as garbage disposals or trash cans, to eliminate potential breeding sites.

Will fruit flies go away on their own?

Fruit flies rarely disappear on their own. They have a short life cycle and reproduce quickly. Without addressing the source of attraction and implementing control measures, an infestation is likely to persist or worsen.

Where do fruit flies lay eggs?

Fruit flies lay eggs in moist areas near fermenting fruits and vegetables. Common sites include overripe produce, drains, garbage disposals, empty bottles and cans, and damp mops or sponges.

Do fruit flies hate bleach?

While bleach can kill fruit flies on contact, they don't particularly hate its smell. However, using bleach to clean drains and surfaces can help eliminate breeding sites and residual organic matter that attracts fruit flies.

Why are fruit flies so hard to get rid of?

Fruit flies are challenging to eliminate due to their rapid reproduction cycle and small size. A single female can lay up to 500 eggs, and their ability to thrive on minimal food sources makes complete eradication difficult.

Does baking soda stop fruit flies?

While baking soda alone doesn't stop fruit flies, it can be part of an effective solution. Mix baking soda with vinegar to create a foaming reaction that can clean drains and eliminate potential breeding sites.

Why are there so many fruit flies in my house all of a sudden?

Sudden fruit fly infestations often occur due to ripe or fermenting fruits and vegetables, unsealed garbage, or damp areas in your home. They can also enter through open windows or be brought in on produce from stores.

Why isn't vinegar killing fruit flies?

If vinegar isn't killing fruit flies, it might be because the trap isn't set up correctly. Ensure you're using apple cider vinegar, add a few drops of dish soap to break surface tension, and place traps in areas with high fruit fly activity.

What is a natural killer for fruit flies?

A natural fruit fly killer is a mixture of apple cider vinegar and dish soap. Essential oils like peppermint or lemongrass can also repel them. Additionally, a solution of water and hydrogen peroxide can be effective when sprayed directly on flies.

What is the best homemade fruit fly trap?

The best homemade fruit fly trap uses a container with apple cider vinegar, a paper funnel, and a few drops of dish soap. The funnel allows flies to enter but makes it difficult for them to escape, while the soap ensures they sink and drown.

How do I get rid of fruit flies 100%?

To completely eliminate fruit flies, combine multiple strategies: remove all sources of attraction, use vinegar traps, clean drains and moist areas, seal garbage, and use natural repellents. Consistency and persistence are key to 100% eradication.

What kills the most fruit flies?

The most effective fruit fly killer is a combination of attraction and elimination. Apple cider vinegar traps with dish soap kill large numbers, while addressing breeding sites and using repellents helps prevent new infestations.

What smell do flies hate?

Flies, including fruit flies, hate the smell of essential oils such as peppermint, eucalyptus, lavender, and lemongrass. These scents can be used in diffusers or mixed with water as a natural repellent spray.

What can I use instead of apple cider vinegar for fruit flies?

Alternatives to apple cider vinegar include red wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar, or even overripe fruit in water. These options can attract fruit flies effectively, especially when combined with dish soap to trap and kill them.

Why do I have fruit flies with no fruit?

Fruit flies can persist without visible fruit due to hidden moisture sources like drains, garbage disposals, or damp areas. They can also breed in houseplants, spilled liquids, or even mop buckets with residual organic matter.

How to find where fruit flies are coming from?

To locate fruit fly sources, check for moist areas and fermenting organic matter. Inspect drains, garbage areas, recycling bins, and potted plants. Look for clusters of fruit flies to identify high-activity zones in your home.

What do fruit flies hate the smell of?

Fruit flies hate the smell of strong essential oils like peppermint, lemongrass, lavender, and eucalyptus. They also dislike the scent of basil plants and citrus peels, which can be used as natural repellents.

How to get rid of flies in the house quickly without vinegar?

To eliminate flies quickly without vinegar, try using sticky traps, electronic zappers, or a mixture of sugar and baking soda. You can also use natural repellents like essential oils or place bowls of herbs like basil around your home.

Can fruit flies bite?

Fruit flies do not bite humans. They lack the mouthparts necessary for biting and are primarily interested in fermenting fruits and vegetables. While they can be a nuisance, they pose no direct physical harm to people.

How long does it take to get rid of fruit flies?

Eliminating a fruit fly infestation typically takes 1-2 weeks with consistent effort. This timeframe allows for breaking the breeding cycle and eliminating all stages of the fruit fly life cycle, from eggs to adults.

Why does my house have so many fruit flies?

An abundance of fruit flies in your house often indicates the presence of fermenting organic matter and moisture. Common causes include overripe produce, unclean drains, damp mops, or unsealed garbage containers.

What is the best cleaner for fruit flies?

The best cleaner for fruit flies is a solution that eliminates their food sources and breeding sites. A mixture of vinegar and water or a mild bleach solution can effectively clean areas where fruit flies congregate and breed.

Do fruit flies hate baking soda?

Fruit flies don't particularly hate baking soda, but it can be useful in controlling them. Baking soda, when mixed with vinegar, creates a foaming action that can clean drains and eliminate organic matter that attracts fruit flies.

What can be mistaken for fruit flies?

Insects often mistaken for fruit flies include drain flies, fungus gnats, and phorid flies. These small flies have similar appearances but different breeding habits and food preferences, which can affect treatment strategies.

Are fruit flies harmful?

While fruit flies are not directly harmful to humans, they can be a nuisance and potentially spread bacteria. They are known to carry and transfer microorganisms from decaying matter to fresh foods, which could pose minor health risks.

 

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