How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies for Good
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‘Tis the season for keeping annoying, unwanted pests out of your home. (No, we don’t mean those pushy neighbors who keep popping over to use the pool without an invitation.) We’re talking about something even more irritating: fruit flies! These unwelcome mini-menaces have a charming knack for moving in and making themselves comfortable, and since one female can lay up to 500 eggs that will hatch within 30 hours, outbreaks can be tricky to keep under control.
We know, stats like those make our skin crawl too. That’s why we’re here with the best solutions for how to get rid of fruit flies in your space. We’ve researched all the information we could about these little pests, where they come from, and—most importantly—how to banish them from your home altogether. That way, your garbage cans, kitchen sink, and plants can stay bug-free all summer long.
Why Do I Suddenly Have Fruit Flies?
Fruit flies in your home can come from a long list of sources. They could have come in on a piece of fresh produce from the market, or maybe a spill that wasn’t properly cleaned up. Perhaps you kept some fruit out on the counter a bit too long or left sugary crumbs on the table. If you’re not careful, any of these situations can easily lead to an outbreak. Additionally, certain areas in your kitchen make perfect fruit fly breeding grounds, particularly garbage pails, sink drains, garbage disposals, and other places where food waste remnants might hang around a bit too long.
How Harmful Are Fruit Flies?
As icky as they are, fruit flies don’t actually pose much of a threat to people. They don’t bite or sting, and they don’t carry diseases. You definitely want to keep them at bay though, because they can transport bacteria and germs across surfaces in your home. To be safe, give your produce an extra rinse before you take a bite.
How Do I Prevent Fruit Flies?
The first line of defense against fruit flies is staying diligent with prevention. Maintain a clean kitchen, keep your drains and garbage disposal clean, and put your trash outside regularly. Wash produce as soon as you get home, clean up spills thoroughly, and use or freeze fruit before it goes bad.
How Do I Get Rid of Fruit Flies?
Once you spot fruit flies in your home, you can either buy traps or mix up a homemade solution. If you prefer a DIY approach, fruit fly traps are easy to make from materials that you likely have in your home right now. All you need is apple cider vinegar and dish soap.
However, if you’d rather buy a premade fruit fly trap online, you also have some fantastic choices. We provided some of our favorite options below. Some them are even reusable, so you can keep the bugs off for a long time to come. Our top picks are based on our own successful experiences as well as glowing user reviews.
How Do I Make a DIY Fruit Fly Trap?
First, fill a cup halfway with the apple cider vinegar (to attract the tiny terrors) and then add a dash of dish soap (to create a film that keeps them from flying away). After you’ve made your DIY fruit fly bait, there are a couple ways to lure in the little buggers.
One option is to create a paper cone that draws flies in but doesn’t let them get out. Pour some of your fruit fly bait into a glass, then roll a piece of paper into a cone and stick it into the glass. The paper should rest against the rim, and there should be about an inch of space between the bottom of the cone and the surface of the liquid. Place your homemade trap near where the infestation is at its worst. Fruit flies will smell the enticing aroma of apple cider vinegar, fly down into your cone, and be unable to escape.
Another way to go? Grab a glass, plastic wrap, and a rubber band. Fill the glass about two-thirds full with bait, cover the top with a taut piece of plastic wrap, and secure the plastic wrap with a rubber band. Use a fork to poke some holes big enough for a fruit fly to get into. Put the glass on the counter, and watch as your winged nemeses are drawn to their demise.
Fan-Favorite Fruit Fly Traps
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