How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies in Your Home
This Article Written By
Carly C.
Author / Co-Owner
Hi there, my name is Carly! I am a massive New England Patriots fan, I cannot start my day without Starbucks, and… growing up, I was my mom’s messiest kid. Who would’ve thought I would be the one to own a cleaning business.
Hey there, fresh and fly crew! Carly here from FreshLee Cleaning Co., and today we’re taking on those annoying little visitors we all dread—fruit flies. Ugh! One minute your kitchen is spotless, and the next, these tiny pests are swarming around your fruit bowl like they pay rent. But no worries! I’m here with some tried-and-true ways to send those fruit flies packing for good. Let’s get into it!
Find and Eliminate the Source
First things first, you have to track down the source. Fruit flies are attracted to overripe fruits and vegetables, but they can also lurk in garbage disposals, trash cans, or even your recycling bin. Inspect your kitchen for any food that’s past its prime and toss it in a tightly sealed trash bag. If you’ve got bananas that are a little too ripe or a half-eaten apple, they’re probably hosting the party.
Pro Tip: Don’t forget to check your sink drains! Fruit flies love to breed in the gunk that builds up down there. More on how to clean that later!
Clean Up Your Space
Once you’ve taken out the trash and cleared away any old produce, give your kitchen a thorough wipe-down. Pay special attention to your countertops, sink area, and anywhere food might have spilled. Wipe everything with a mixture of half water and half white vinegar—this not only cleans but also helps deter fruit flies.
Bonus Tip: Make sure to clean your sponge or use a fresh cloth—fruit flies can lay eggs in damp sponges!
Set Up DIY Fruit Fly Traps
Now that you’ve cleaned up, it’s time to trap the fruit flies that are already buzzing around. Don’t worry, you don’t need any fancy equipment. Here are a couple of easy DIY traps you can whip up with stuff you probably already have:
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Apple Cider Vinegar Trap: Grab a small bowl or glass and fill it with apple cider vinegar. Cover the top with plastic wrap, then poke a few small holes in the wrap. The fruit flies will be drawn to the vinegar, get in, but won’t be able to escape.
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Wine Trap: If you’ve got some leftover wine, use it to your advantage! Pour a small amount of red wine into a glass and leave it out. Fruit flies love the smell of fermented liquids, and wine works just as well as vinegar to lure them in.
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Fruit and Dish Soap Trap: If you don’t have apple cider vinegar or wine on hand, cut up a piece of overripe fruit and place it in a bowl. Add a few drops of dish soap to the fruit. The soap breaks the surface tension of any liquid, so once the flies land on it, they’ll sink.
Clean Your Drains
If you’ve followed the steps above and still have fruit flies hanging around, they might be breeding in your sink or garbage disposal. Here’s how to get rid of them:
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For the Sink Drain: Pour boiling water down the drain to flush out any fruit fly eggs and larvae. Follow it up with a mixture of baking soda and white vinegar to kill anything that might be clinging to the sides of the pipes. Let it sit for 10 minutes, then rinse with more boiling water.
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For the Garbage Disposal: Drop a few ice cubes and a slice of lemon or lime into your disposal and run it. The ice helps clean the blades, and the citrus will leave everything smelling fresh!
Pro Tip: Avoid leaving dirty dishes in the sink for long periods, as food particles can attract flies to the drain.
Store Your Produce Properly
Prevention is key to keeping fruit flies from coming back. Store any fruits and veggies you’re not going to eat right away in the fridge. For bananas or tomatoes that need to ripen at room temperature, keep an eye on them and move them to the fridge as soon as they’re ready. This will cut off the fruit flies’ food source and keep your kitchen fly-free.
Take Out the Trash Regularly
Even if your trash can is covered, fruit flies can still find their way in if food is left to rot for too long. Take out the trash regularly, especially if it contains food scraps or overripe fruit. Wipe down the inside of the trash can with disinfectant or a vinegar solution to eliminate any lingering odors that might attract flies.
Use Essential Oils as a Natural Repellent
Once you’ve cleaned up and caught the stragglers, it’s time to make your kitchen an unwelcoming place for fruit flies. Essential oils like lemongrass, lavender, and eucalyptus not only smell amazing, but they also repel flies. Add a few drops of your favorite oil to a spray bottle filled with water and spritz it around your kitchen. It’ll keep the flies away and leave your home smelling fresh!
Need Professional Help?
Fruit flies might be persistent little pests, but with a few simple steps, you can get rid of them for good. Remember to keep your kitchen clean, store food properly, and set up those DIY traps to catch any stragglers. A little effort now will save you a lot of frustration later!
As always, if you need a hand with bigger cleaning projects, FreshLee Cleaning Co. is here to help. Let’s keep those pesky flies—and all other messes—under control!