Fruit flies are one of the most annoying pests that can invade your home. They seem to appear out of nowhere and are attracted to any ripe fruit or vegetable that you may have lying around.
While they may be small, fruit flies can quickly become a nuisance. But where do these pesky creatures come from? And how can you get rid of them?
Fruit flies typically enter homes through open windows or doors. Once inside, they are drawn to any fruit or vegetable that is starting to rot.
The female fruit fly lays her eggs in this soft, mushy food, and the larvae develop and mature inside it. In just a few days, new fruit flies will emerge, and the cycle begins again.
Pest Control for Fruit Flies: First Things You Need to Do
Before we get into the basics and more advanced techniques of fruit fly pest control, there are a few things you need to do first:
Find the Source
It’s there somewhere. While these flies may be small, they can’t just appear out of thin air. If you’re dealing with a fruit fly infestation, chances are there is a source nearby.
Do you have a nearby tree filled with overripe fruit? Is there a rotting vegetable hidden away in the back of your fridge?
Maybe there’s an overripe fruit that’s been left out on the counter or in the garbage that hasn’t been taken out. It can be a drain that’s starting to back up.
Once you find the source, you can either remove it or take steps to keep fruit flies away from it. If it’s something like a drain, you’ll need to clean it out and make sure it doesn’t get backed up again. If it’s rotting food, throw it away immediately.
Eliminate Their Food and Breeding Sources
These flies are attracted to ripe fruit and vegetables, as well as other things like drainpipes, garbage cans, and the like. If you want to get rid of fruit flies, you need to eliminate their food sources.
This means throwing away any overripe fruit or vegetables, taking out the garbage regularly, and keeping your drains clean.
You should also make sure that your garbage cans have tight-fitting lids and that any food is properly sealed. If you have fruit trees, pick the fruit before it gets too ripe. And if you’re composting, make sure the compost pile is covered so that flies can’t get to it.
Deep Cleaning Makes a Big Difference
Your kitchen may appear neat and clean, but there could be places where fruit flies are breeding, and you don’t even know it. These pesky creatures can lay their eggs in all kinds of places, including the cracks and crevices of your kitchen counters, under the sink, in drains, behind appliances, and more.
Deep cleaning involves getting into all of these nooks and crannies and giving them a good cleaning. This means scrubbing your counters, floor, drains, and appliances. It also means getting rid of anything that’s been sitting in the back of your cupboards or fridge for months (or even years!). Once you’ve done a deep clean, you’ll be surprised at how much better your kitchen looks – and how much fewer fruit flies you have to deal with.
How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies: Pest Control Methods
The above methods talk about the different ways how you can prevent and identify the source of fruit flies. While keeping the kitchen clean and free of food sources is the best way to prevent these pests, there are times when they may have laid their eggs, and the infestation continues.
If this is the case, then you will want to know how to get rid of fruit flies. Here are some pest control methods that you can use:
Apple Cider Vinegar
This is a simple yet effective homemade remedy that helps attract fruit flies. Instead of using sticky traps, simply fill a bowl with apple cider vinegar. You can add a drop or two of dish soap to help the flies sink.
For this fruit fly trap to be effective, it needs to be covered with a clear wrap. Tightly seal around the edges. You can use a rubber band or tape to keep it in place.
Then, poke a few small holes in the top. The flies will be attracted to the vinegar, and they will go in, but they won’t be able to get out.
Stale Beer or Wine
If you have an old or stale alcoholic beverage lying around in your house, you can put them to good use. Beer and wine are also effective in attracting fruit flies. Open the cap of the beer and place them in the area where you’ve spotted fruit flies.
These flies will become attracted to the fructose and will end up drowning in the beer. Its narrow opening also prevents them from escaping.
Chemical Fruit-Fly Spray
Yes – they exist. You can find them at your local hardware store or order them online. If you don’t like the idea of using traps or baits and want a quick-fix solution, then these sprays are your best bet.
Just be sure to follow the instructions on how to use them properly to avoid any accidents.
Fumigation
This is the last resort method as it involves using pesticides. If you have a serious infestation and all other methods have failed, then you can hire a professional pest control company to fumigate your house.
Fumigation uses a strong pesticide that targets fruit flies, as well as other pests.
The entire process usually takes a few hours, and you will need to leave your house during this time. Once the fumigation is done, the pest control company will air out your house to get rid of any residual pesticides.
Final Thoughts
Nobody wants to share their home with fruit flies. The majority of homes with fruit flies are usually the result of rotten food or produce. Sanitation and cleanliness are the best methods of preventing these pests.
However, if you have already found an infestation, finding and removing the source is crucial. After that, you can use any of the above methods to get rid of fruit flies.
