If your Kitchen is overrun with tiny flying insects, you’re probably looking for advice on How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies Quickly.
Fruit flies are tiny, buzzing insects attracted to ripe and rotting fruit. Hence the name – fruit flies – and nothing can ruin the enjoyment of your kitchen faster.
Not only are fruit flies a nuisance in the kitchen, but they are also attracted to and will spread bacteria. Fortunately, there are a few simple ways to get rid of fruit flies, and the best method for you depends on the severity of your infestation.
Note: The Fruit flies we know are not wild fruit flies, which are found in Australia and South Africa. The fruit flies found in the U.S. are identified as a fly species called “Drosophila Melanogaster” (that’s a mouthful :).
Either way, these flies “Are attracted to Fruit” as a source of bacteria and a breeding ground to lay eggs. I know – Gross! And all the more reason to Kill Fruit Flies Quickly!
“Basic Methods” To Get Rid of Fruit Flies Forever
- Trapping: Wondering how to make a fruit fly trap? If so, a few different types of fruit fly traps are available. Most DIY traps to catch fruit flies use vinegar and dish soap to attract and kill fruit flies, while other methods use sticky pads or enclosed traps, like Terro, to trap them.
- See details to “Set out Fruit Fly Traps” and “Home Remedies to Kill Fruit Flies” below.
- Cleaning: Fruit flies breed in moist, dark places. It is essential to clean your kitchen thoroughly to get rid of them. This includes regularly wiping down counters, appliances, and sinks and emptying trash cans.
- Using chemicals: Several chemical sprays, like Zevo fruit fly spray, can also kill fruit flies. However, using these products carefully is essential, as they can harm people and pets and be dangerous if used on countertops or near food sources.
Below, we break down the fastest steps for how to deal with fruit flies:
Best Way to Get rid of Fruit Flies (Yourself – DIY)
Follow these Seven Steps to Get Rid of Fruit Flies in the Kitchen:
- Remove the food source of the fruit flies. This means throwing away any rotting or overripe fruit or vegetables. It would be best to clean up any spills or messes that could attract fruit flies.
- Set Out Fruit Fly Traps. Many fruit fly traps are available on the market, but our favorite is the Terro Fruit Fly Killer Trap. These traps come in a 4-pack (a 6-month supply), are inexpensive, convenient to use, and great to have on hand when fruit fly infestations break out.
3. Another simple way to make a fruit fly trap is to fill a jar with apple cider vinegar and a few drops of dish soap. The vinegar will attract the fruit flies, and the soap will trap them. Consider doing this home remedy if you’re waiting for any fruit fly traps you’ve ordered.
4. Use a vacuum cleaner. You can also vacuum up fruit flies. Be sure to empty the vacuum cleaner bag or canister immediately after use.
5. Clean your drains. Fruit flies can breed in sink drains. Pour a cup of baking soda and a cup of vinegar down the drain. Let the mixture fizz for 30 minutes, then flush it with hot water.
6. Use essential oils. Essential oils, such as peppermint, eucalyptus, and lemon oil, can help repel fruit flies. Add a few drops of essential oil to a spray bottle filled with water and spray it around your kitchen.
7. Keep your kitchen clean. Fruit flies are attracted to dirt and grime. Wipe down your counters and appliances regularly.
Those are the seven best ways to eliminate fruit flies in your kitchen.
How To Prevent Fruit Flies from Getting In the Home:
- Store fruit in airtight containers. This will prevent fruit flies from accessing the fruit and laying their eggs.
- Keep your trash cans clean and covered. Fruit flies can breed in trash cans, so it’s important to keep them clean and covered to prevent this.
- Rinse out your fruit and vegetable brushes after each use. Fruit flies can also be attracted to food particles left on fruit and vegetable brushes.
- Clean your kitchen sink regularly. Fruit flies can breed in drains, so it’s important to clean your kitchen sink regularly to prevent this.
- Fix any leaks in your pipes as soon as possible. Leaks in your pipes can provide a source of moisture for fruit flies, so it’s essential to fix any leaks as soon as possible.
- Don’t leave ripe fruit out on the counter. Fruit flies are attracted to ripe fruit, so it’s best to store it in the fridge or a sealed container.
- Empty your garbage cans regularly. Fruit flies can breed in garbage cans, so it’s important to empty them regularly to prevent this.
- Clean up spills immediately. Fruit flies can be attracted to spills, so it’s important to clean them up immediately to prevent this.
- Keep your drains clean. Fruit flies can breed in drains, so it’s important to keep them clean. Pour a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by a cup of vinegar. Let the mixture fizz for 30 minutes, then flush it with hot water.
- Use a fruit fly trap. There are many different types of fruit fly traps available. You can buy them at most grocery stores or make your own.
Following these tips can help keep fruit flies out of your home.
“Home Remedies” to Kill fruit flies in the kitchen.
9 Tips on “How to get rid of Fruit Flies in Your Kitchen
- Apple Cider Vinegar and Soap: Does vinegar attract fruit flies? Yes, fruit flies are attracted to the smell of apple cider vinegar, which mimics fruit odor. Here is how you can get rid of fruit flies with vinegar;
- You can make a simple fruit fly trap by filling a jar with apple cider vinegar and a few drops of dish soap. The vinegar will attract the fruit flies, and the soap will trap them. This is one of the best ways to get rid of fruit flies.
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DIY Video: How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies with Vinegar;
- Baking soda: Baking soda can kill fruit flies. You can make a baking soda trap by mixing equal parts baking soda and sugar. Place the mixture in a small bowl and cover it with plastic wrap.
- Poke a few holes in the plastic wrap so the fruit flies can escape. The fruit flies will be attracted to the sugar but die when they come into contact with the baking soda.
- White wine: White wine can also be used to make a fruit fly trap. Fill a jar with white wine and a few drops of dish soap. The wine will attract fruit flies, and the soap will trap them.
- Vodka: Vodka can also be used to kill fruit flies. Fill a spray bottle with vodka around areas where the fruit flies are congregating. The vodka will kill the fruit flies on contact.
You can also use a vacuum cleaner to suck up the fruit flies. Be sure to empty the vacuum cleaner bag or canister immediately after use.
You may need to call an exterminator if you have a severe fruit fly problem.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How Do You Prevent Fruit Flies?
These are the five best tips for preventing fruit flies from coming into your home:
- Store fruit in airtight containers.
- Keep your trash cans clean and covered.
- Rinse out your fruit and vegetables immediately after buying.
- Clean your kitchen sink regularly.
- Fix any leaks in your kitchen pipes. Fruit flies breed in wet conditions
Where Do Fruit Flies Come From?
Fruit flies come from a variety of places, including:
- Overripe or rotting fruit or vegetables. Fruit flies are attracted to the sweet, fermenting smell of overripe fruit. They can also breed in rotting vegetables.
- Sink Drains. Fruit flies can breed in sink drains that are not kept clean. The moisture and food particles in drains can provide a perfect breeding ground for fruit flies.
- Trash cans. Fruit flies can also breed in trash cans that are not kept clean. The food particles in trash cans can provide food for fruit flies.
- Open windows and doors. Fruit flies can also fly into homes through open windows and doors.
- Fruit or vegetables are brought into the home from the grocery store. Fruit flies can sometimes be attached to and got into the house on fruit or vegetables purchased from the grocery store.
It can seem like fruit flies come from nowhere, but they usually have a source. By identifying the source of the fruit flies, you can take steps to get rid of them.
What is The Fastest Way to Get Rid of Fruit Flies?
How long does it take to get rid of Fruit Flies? About 1-2 days if you use this home remedy.
Fill a small bowl halfway with vinegar, then add a drop of dish soap. Mix the solution well, then cover the bowl with clear wrap and a rubber band. Poke several holes in the clear wrap and set the bowl on the kitchen countertop.
Fruit flies are attracted to the sweet apple cider vinegar. The dish soap breaks the surface tension of the liquid solution you made, causing the fruit flies to sink and be unable to escape.
Next, since fruit flies also like to lay eggs in sink drains (again, Bacteria), sprinkle Baking soda into each sink drain, then pour 2 cups of boiled white vinegar into each drain.
How Do You Get Rid of Drain Flies?
Fruit Flies are commonly identified as Drain Flies because they are attracted to the bacteria found in sink drains. For this reason, many wonder How to get rid of drain flies with natural household ingredients.
For the reasons detailed in this article, you should eliminate Drain flies and fruit flies as soon as possible. If you see drain flies hovering around your sink drains, the fastest way to get rid of them is to boil 2 cups of White Vinegar, then sprinkle baking soda into all your sink drains.
Follow the Baking Soda step by pouring a small amount of Boiled Vinegar into each drain to kill drain flies in your house.
References and Additional Resources:
- How to Identify and Get Rid of Fungus Ants – University of California
- How To Get Rid Of Bed Bugs – BestHomeGear.Com
- Are Black Flies a Health Risk? – Purdue University
- 7 “Natural” Ways to Repel Black Flies – The Farmers Almanac
