Getting Rid of Fruit Flies: A Guide
It may surprise you to know that 75% of genes that cause diseases in humans are also present in fruit flies! This makes them valuable for research. But if you’ve got fruit flies buzzing around your kitchen, we’re guessing it’s not because you’re carrying out groundbreaking medical studies…
Fruit flies can enter our homes in our groceries – you guessed it, especially on fruit. In fact, they’ll lay their eggs on anything moist or fermenting. But there are some simple steps you can take to show them the door.
Let’s explore what you need to know about getting rid of fruit flies in this exterminator’s guide.
What Are Fruit Flies?
Fruit flies are common houseflies, and most are of the order Drosophila melanogaster. They’re called fruit flies because they love the smell of fruit that is ripe or, even better, overripe. But they’re not fussy – they’ll also lay their eggs in a puddle if no pungent fruit is available.
Fruit flies may seem innocuous, but they can spread disease. Fruit fly risks include spreading salmonella and E.coli from one surface to another.
They’re very small and can invade your home at any time of the year. You may also develop a problem with fruit flies hanging around your kitchen garbage can or outdoor dumpsters. But following some of the steps below may help when getting rid of fruit flies.
How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies
Serious fruit fly infestations call for the assistance of a pest control company. But first, you might want to try a few home hacks that may nip the problem in the bud.
Careful Fruit Storage
There’s always a chance that the fruit you bring home from the market will already have fruit fly larvae on there. This is gross to think about, as well as storing up problems for the future. So when you get home, simply give your fruit a thorough rinse under running water.
This will wash the larvae away and should keep the problem at bay. But if you continue to store the fruit on the counter, you may still run into issues.
Fruit and, to a lesser extent, vegetables are catnip to fruit flies. They’re looking for anything moist to lay their eggs on. They can choose your dishwashing sponge but can also lay them in the fruit you have on your kitchen counter.
The best way to stop this from happening ot help with getting rid of fruit flies? Wash and then refrigerate all your fruits and vegetables when you get them home from the store. This removes them at the source and stops these items from getting infested in your kitchen.
Make a Homemade Trap
Fruit flies are also called vinegar flies. We can take advantage of their love of vinegar by making a simple vinegar trap that contains apple cider vinegar.
Grab yourself a glass and some good-quality plastic wrap. Pour some apple cider vinegar into the glass and cover it with plastic wrap. Then take a toothpick and poke holes in it. This will allow the aroma of the ACV to escape, and enough room for the flies to get in but not get out.
Don’t have any apple cider vinegar? Use a piece of overripe fruit instead. Just make sure you change this regularly if you don’t want your kitchen to smell like rotting fruit.
If you’ve sworn off plastic wrap in an attempt to go eco-friendly, we understand. You can still make a trap, but instead of plastic wrap, add a drop of dish soap to the vinegar. This will help with getting rid of fruit flies as it snags the fruit flies when they land so they can’t fly off and drown instead.
Remove Fruit Fly Breeding Grounds
We know it’s gross, but when getting rid of fruit flies, you need to identify and eliminate potential fruit fly breeding grounds in your kitchen. Let’s start with the garbage can.
It’s very easy for debris and dampness to build up in and around your garbage can. The only way to stop it from becoming a fruit fly nursery is to clean it thoroughly. Use hot water and detergent to remove any dirt and grime, and make sure it’s completely dry afterward.
Keep them clean by taking out the trash regularly. It’s especially important to take out food waste promptly and not leave any bad fruit or vegetables lying about in your kitchen. Continue spot-checking/cleaning your garbage can as needed.
Deep Clean Your Garbage Disposal
Your garbage disposal can also attract fruit flies if bits of fermenting matter accumulate in there. You can deep clean your garbage disposal for a few bucks with simple, household cleaning products like baking soda and vinegar. This will completely remove any fruit fly larvae and make it inhospitable for flies looking to lay their eggs.
Keep Your Home Sealed
Fruit flies are always on the hunt for a new place to call home. If they fly past a poorly sealed window and get a whiff of something they like, you could soon have an infestation on your hands.
By all means, let the fresh air in, but make sure that your door and window screens are intact. A physical barrier is one of the best forms of fruit fly control. They can get through the tiniest gaps, so quickly repair any breaks or holes.
Getting Rid of Fruit Flies for Good
When you notice signs of fruit flies in your home, it’s time to act fast. These at-home methods of getting rid of fruit flies can be effective, but they don’t work in all cases. Sometimes, you need to call in the professionals.
If you need help getting rid of fruit flies, call Pest Management Inc. We specialize in all forms of insect control.
It’s true, you will always need to be vigilant when getting rid of fruit flies to ensure that fruit flies don’t return. But we can help you protect your home against these voracious pests.
Reach out online today to find out how we can be of service to you.
While these steps/tips will help reduce the likelihood of a fruit fly problem, and help when getting rid of fruit flies, there is no guaranteed way to eliminate all risk.
