How To Get Rid Of Fruit Flies

Fruit flies are small flies or gnats that have been seen in your kitchen. Fruit flies are a problem all year, but they are especially prevalent in late summer/fall because they are drawn to ripened or fermenting fruits and vegetables.

Tomatoes, melons, squash, grapes, and other perishable items brought in from the garden are frequently the source of an indoor infestation. Fruit flies are also drawn to rotting bananas, potatoes, onions, and other unrefrigerated produce from the supermarket.

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Cause Of Fruit Flies

Fruit flies are mainly drawn to wet, fermenting fruits and vegetables. They are, however, drawn to drains, garbage disposals, empty bottles and cans, trash bags, cleaning rags, and mops. They are primarily drawn to food waste and moist environments. Fruit flies only feed on food surfaces, so there is little chance of ingesting these pests.

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Steps On How To Get Rid Of Fruit Flies

Step 1: Clean all surfaces. 

The first step in eliminating fruit flies is straightforward, wipe down all countertops thoroughly. As much as possible, keep food particles and residue out of sink drains. If you don’t, these areas will become ideal breeding grounds for fruit flies.

Step 2: Discard overripe or rotting produce.

Examine all fruits and vegetables for signs of rot, decay, or overripeness. Dispose of any suspicious pieces to prevent female fruit flies from laying eggs on these surfaces.

See also: How To Prevent And Treat Tomato Blight

Step 3: Make use of apple cider vinegar. 

Fill a bowl or glass halfway with apple cider vinegar, wrap in plastic wrap, seal with a rubber band, and poke tiny holes in the top. The vinegar will attract the fruit flies, and once inside, they will be trapped by the plastic wrap barrier.

Step 4: Combine apple cider vinegar and dish soap in a mixing bowl. 

Fill a bowl halfway with vinegar and stir in a drop of dish soap. The stale sweetness of the apple cider vinegar attracts flies, and the dish soap works to reduce the surface tension of the liquid, causing the flies to become immersed and unable to escape immediately after investigating the solution.

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Step 5: Try a beer or a glass of wine. 

Place an old bottle of wine or beer near the area where the fruit flies were discovered. They’ll be drawn in by the stale beverage, but the bottle’s narrow neck acts as a natural barrier to keep them in.

Originally posted on March 27, 2022 @ 10:51 pm