How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies

How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies

If you’ve tried to get rid of fruit flies before, you know how annoying these little pests can be. When left unchecked, they can spread quickly, contaminating your food and taking up residence in your drains. Female fruit flies lay 400–500 eggs during their life cycle, which is why it’s important to take action at the first sign of infestation.

THREE STEPS FOR GETTING RID OF FRUIT FLIES

As soon as you notice fruit flies in your home, there are a few steps you can take to tackle the infestation: 

1. FIND THE SOURCE

The first step is to find the source of your infestation. Most often, fruit flies end up in homes because their eggs are already present in the fruit you’ve purchased at the grocery store. Take inventory of any produce that may be sitting out, and get rid of any overripe items. Sometimes the culprit can be a forgotten bag of fruits, vegetables, or sweets, so be sure to check cupboards, refrigerators, and pantries thoroughly.

If your kitchen doesn’t seem to have something obviously attracting the flies, check your bathrooms next. Fruit flies can thrive on soap scum and drain buildup in bathroom sinks, tubs, and showers. 

2. CLEAN

Take a moment to clean the infested area. Wash out trash cans, wipe down countertops, and flush out the drains in your kitchen. Fruit flies often lay eggs in the u-bend of kitchen sinks and will continue to breed there if left unchecked. To thoroughly clean your drain, try running your garbage disposal filled with ice to break up food debris, then pour some vinegar, baking soda, and boiling water down the drain.

You may also need to flush the drains in your bathroom. First, remove any debris or clogs with a drain snake. Then pour the same mixture of vinegar, baking soda, and boiling water down each drain (sinks, tub, and shower). 

3. DIY TRAPS

The last step is to set traps to remove the remaining adult fruit flies and stop the breeding cycle.

You may have heard that apple cider vinegar is the key ingredient for fruit fly traps. This is because the Drosophila melanogaster is attracted to acetic acid, the main component of vinegar. This compound is also found in wine, which is why some people opt to use that as bait instead.

You may have more success with one trap design over another, so don’t give up if your first try isn’t fruitful (no pun intended). Try one of these DIY fruit fly traps: 

  • PAPER FUNNEL TRAP

For the paper funnel trap, fill a container with a cup of apple cider vinegar and a few drops of dish soap, then stir to combine. The sweet vinegary smell will attract the fruit flies, and the dish soap should create a slight film to weigh down their wings.

To ensure the flies can’t escape once entering the trap, make a paper funnel by rolling up a piece of paper, securing it with tape, and inserting it tip-down into the glass (close to the liquid, without touching it). 

  • 2-LITER BOTTLE TRAP

Cut the top off of a clean, empty two-liter bottle. In the bottom section of the bottle, add your fruit fly bait—either apple cider vinegar, a small piece of ripe fruit, or a bit of red wine. Invert the top of the bottle, and secure it over the bait with tape or paper clips. Fruit flies will flock to the food source, but won’t be able to escape through the funnel opening. 

  • MASON JAR TRAP

Fill a mason jar with apple cider vinegar and a drop or two of dish soap, and then puncture a few holes in the metal lid with a nail. Tightly seal the lid, and wait for fruit flies to creep in through the holes.

The more severe your fruit fly infestation, the sooner you should begin to see results. Be sure to empty the traps periodically and refill them with bait until you stop catching flies.

If the problem persists, please contact our pest control field experts. We’re happy to help!

HOW TO PREVENT FRUIT FLIES

Once you’ve gotten rid of fruit flies, how do you make sure they don’t come back? Try these steps to prevent reinfestations:

MANAGE FRUIT AND FRESH PRODUCE

The easiest way to keep fruit flies away is to be vigilant about what foods you leave out at room temperature. Any time you purchase fresh produce, be sure to wash and eat it before it becomes overripe. Fall is an especially popular time of year for fruit flies to congregate, so keep an eye on produce you bring indoors.

KEEP YOUR LIVING SPACES CLEAN

Fruit flies flourish in wet environments and feed on organic matter. To keep fruit flies away, thoroughly clean and dry your trash cans any time there is a spill, and regularly run your disposal to clear out your kitchen sink.

Only dispose of food items in a covered garbage can (preferably in the kitchen,) and do not leave food or drinks in open garbage cans, bedrooms, or bathrooms. Even yesterday’s dinner or a half-cleaned high-chair mess can be problematic if fruit flies are looking for a place to call home.

KEEP DOORS AND WINDOWS SHUT

Because fruit flies are so tiny, they can enter homes through the smallest of openings. If you do have doors and windows open, make sure they are fitted with a quality screen or set reminders on your phone to close them after a little while.

PREVENT PEST INFESTATIONS BEFORE THEY START WITH JOSHUA’S PEST CONTROL

Our year-round, custom pest control plans include unlimited, free warranty services between visits, so if anything ever pops up unexpectedly, we’re ready to help. From flies and fleas to spiders and cockroaches, we have the expertise to combat whatever pest you’re facing. Contact us today for a free quote.

SOURCES

Author Bio

Courtney Enzor has worked in the pest control industry for about a decade. From helping you build a fly trap to giving you the best tips for identifying various bugs, she loves answering all your pest-related questions and sharing her pest-related expertise through writing. At the end of the day, she hopes her content will help people avoid mishaps and keep families happy and healthy!

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