Simple Steps to Get Rid of Fruit Flies

Fruit flies may be small, but they are annoyingly persistent. It’s one thing when you see them flying around fallen fruit from trees in a backyard, but it’s a whole different issue when they are swarming around the fruit bowl in your kitchen. While they are unwelcome in either instance, the question is, what can you do? Before reaching for chemical sprays, here are safe, simple solutions to help get rid of fruit flies.

Start with the cause

Fruit flies are attracted to rotting or decaying fruits and vegetables, as well as fermented substances like wine, beer, and vinegar. It is common for fruit flies to breed in unsanitary environments like drains, garbage disposals, and trash cans. If your household enjoys having a fruit basket on the counter, fruit flies can scavenge for fruit that is going bad. Fruit flies also love anything sugary. If you have juice, wine, or soda spills, dirty dishes, or damp sponges, fruit flies will flock to them.

Once you discover fruit flies, you need to move quickly to get rid of them. Female fruit flies can lay hundreds of eggs at once in just 24-30 hours. These eggs hatch into larvae, which means a major infestation overnight. 

Common Breeding Grounds Include:

• Overripe fruits or veggies
• Garbage disposals and trash bins
• Empty bottles and cans
• Mop buckets and damp rags
• Sinks and drains with organic buildup 
• If you are seeing fruit flies swarming in your home, it usually means there is food waste or moisture buildup nearby. 

Seasonal Changes

Fruit flies tend to be a bigger issue during the summer months. Summer and early fall are peak seasons for fruit fly activity because heat accelerates fermentation, and fruits spoil more quickly when temperatures rise. Farmers’ market hauls, outdoor produce displays, and open doors and windows can all increase the chances of bringing fruit flies indoors. Make sure to be extra vigilant during the warmer months. 

Ways to Eliminate Fruit Flies and Useful Products

When fruit flies show up, you want to get to the source and take the steps we’ve discussed.

DIY Traps: 

1) Red Wine Trap

Do you have an unfinished bottle of red wine? Do not pour it out yet. Fruit flies are very attracted to wine. 

How to use:

• Pour into a wine glass.
• Add dish soap.
• Cover with plastic wrap, poke holes, and wait for results.

Similarly, there is an apple cider vinegar trap solution as well. Pour some apple cider vinegar into a bowl or jar and add a small drop of dish soap, cover with plastic wrap, and poke with holes. 

2) Lemon + Boiling Water for Drains:

If fruit flies are coming from the sink, the drain may need to be cleaned. Try squeezing lemon juice down the drain, followed immediately by a pot of boiling water. Do this for a few days to destroy eggs and larvae. 

3) Milk, Sugar & Pepper Trap

Simmer 1 cup of milk, 1 tablespoon of sugar, and 1 tablespoon of ground pepper in a saucepan for 10 minutes. 

Pour into shallow dishes and place around the kitchen

If you want to forgo the homemade solutions, visit the nearest Bug & Weed Mart store and talk with one of our experts. They can show you targeted products that are safe and easy to use and will get rid of fruit flies before they begin to multiply. Here are a few to consider:

4) Plug-In Light Traps

Fruit flies and other flying insects are intrigued by the blue light. When they fly near the light, they get stuck in the sticky trap and are safely eliminated. Plug-in lights are chemical-free, odorless, and safe to use around pets and food, which makes them a great tool for kitchen and dining areas. All you need is access to an outlet near the area where they are gathering.  Simply plug it in and replace the sticky inserts every 2–4 weeks, or sooner if it is full. 

5) Sprays 

PT Alpine Pressurized Fly Bait and Gentrol Aerosol are two products that Bug and Weed Mart carry that work well for getting rid of fruit flies. These sprays are indoor-safe, low-odor solutions that will eliminate adult flies and disrupt the breeding cycle. PT Alpine Pressurized Fly Bait contains a sugar-based lure and fast-acting active ingredients that make it very effective in kitchens, trash cans, or near drains. Gentrol Aerosol not only kills adult flies, but it also contains an insect growth regulator that disrupts the fruit fly life cycle, preventing them from reproducing. 

Daily Tasks to Lower the Risk of Fruit Flies

• Cover and refrigerate produce
• Take out the trash daily
• Clean hidden sources such as spills under appliances, sponge holders, and wipe down sticky bottles of honey, syrup, or anything sweet. 

Long-Term Prevention Tips

Once the fruit fly situation is resolved, here is how to keep your home fruit fly-free:

• Dry out your sponge or switch to a silicone one that does not retain water.
• Rinse recyclables before tossing them into the trash can.
• Wipe down countertops regularly and keep them dry.

If you do not have pets, use essential oils such as lemongrass, peppermint, or eucalyptus as natural repellents. Add a few drops into a spray bottle with water and spray around problem areas. 

Saving time and money

At Bug & Weed Mart, we specialize in DIY pest control solutions that are cost-effective and easy to do yourself. Whether combating an invasion of fruit flies or other household pests, we have the professional-grade tools, products, along a knowledgeable staff to help you handle the situation at hand. Stop by any of our Valley locations or give us a call to talk to one of our experts. They will help determine the best products and provide you with detailed instructions for keeping your home free of fruit flies and other pests.