Warm weather brings sunny skies, longer days, and more time spent outdoors. But with it also comes unwanted pests, including fruit flies. While fruit flies don’t cause physical harm, they do carry bacteria and can transfer germs from one surface to the next. They also reproduce quickly, with female fruit flies laying as many as 500 eggs over the course of their lives. l While their lifespans are short (normally 40-50 days), fruit flies are persistent and pesky. Keep reading to learn how to get rid of fruit flies in your home.
Julie Soefer
What Brings Fruit Flies Inside?
Fruit flies thrive in warm weather and where there’s food nearby. Fruit flies are attracted to the scent of fermenting and rotting fruits and vegetables, such as apples, bananas, tomatoes, and melons. While you might be tempted to store your produce on the counter or in a hanging basket, that might be the reason fruit flies keep popping up in your home.
Because fruit flies are drawn to rotting produce, they also migrate toward garbage disposals, sinks, and trash cans where there may be food remnants. To keep fruit flies at bay, make sure to regularly take out the trash and empty your compost bin. Make it a habit to clean your kitchen sink drain and run your garbage disposal to get rid of any leftover food.
Fruit flies also prefer damp places to lay their eggs. This means you might see fruit flies buzzing around in your bathroom. To prevent fruit flies in your bathroom, clean your sink and shower drains regularly, removing any grime the flies might like to call home. And remember to run your bathroom exhaust fan to eliminate any moisture or mildew.
Store-Bought Remedies for Fruit Flies
There are plenty of store-bought options to get rid of fruit flies in your home. You can purchase plastic fruit fly traps to set on countertops online or from your local hardware store. You can also opt for fly-killing sprays for indoors or outdoors. If you choose to use a spray, make sure to keep it away from open food containers because it may not be safe for consumption; always read the manufacturer’s instructions before using.
You can also purchase natural fruit fly repellents, like essential oil-based sprays, creams, and lotions. Certain essential oils, like citronella, peppermint, and lemongrass, are great for repelling summertime insects like fruit flies, gnats, and mosquitoes. Before applying to your skin, make sure to check allergy restrictions.
Get Rid of Fruit Flies with DIY Solutions
If you prefer DIY fruit fly repellents, look no further. Try these easy, budget-friendly solutions to kill and trap fruit flies. Each one can be made quickly from ingredients you likely already have in your home.
Apple Cider Vinegar Trap
Apple cider vinegar is one of the most common fruit fly traps because of its effectiveness. Here’s how to get rid of fruit flies using a simple apple cider vinegar solution in a jar.
Step 1: Pour Vinegar. Begin by adding ½ cup of apple cider vinegar to a glass jar.
Step 2: Mix Soap. Add 2-3 drops of dish soap to the apple cider vinegar in the jar and swirl to mix.
Step 3: Cover and Poke Holes. Cover the mouth of the jar with plastic wrap and secure with a rubber band. Finally, use a pencil to poke a hole in the plastic wrap.
The hole helps release the sweet odor of the mixture to attract fruit flies and gives them an opening to fly into the jar. The dish soap will trap the fruit flies as soon as they touch the liquid. Place your homemade fruit fly trap near your fruit bowl or trash can. Dump out the mixture and refill every week or as needed until no more flies appear.
Fruit Fly Spray
Skip the spendy bug repellent sprays, and make this natural fly-killing spray at home.
Step 1: Heat Water. Start by boiling 2 ounces of water.
Step 2: Add Essential Oil. Add 10 drops of lemongrass essential oil, and pour the liquid into a small spray bottle. Shake to mix. Spritz the liquid on fruit flies as you see them and on surfaces where they land.
This spray also works on the go. Pack the spray bottle in your bag for baseball games, walks, and camping trips.
You can easily double or triple the amounts in this fruit fly spray to make a solution that will last all season long.
Wine Trap
Have a bottle of red wine in the kitchen that’s been open too long? Instead of throwing it out, use it to get rid of fruit flies quickly.
Step 1: Pour Wine. First, pour 1 cup of red wine into a shallow bowl.
Step 2: Wrap and Secure. Place plastic wrap over the opening of the bowl and secure with a rubber band.
Step 3: Poke Holes. Use a pencil to poke a small hole in the plastic wrap. Place the trap near the problem area to attract and trap fruit flies.
