Are you disgusted by the tiny flies wondering over the fruits and veggies in your house? Moreover, these fruit flies are always in large groups, which is certainly not a pretty sight for anybody. Apart from being unpleasant, fruit flies in the house spread dangerous bacteria like Escherichia coli. Thus fruit fly extermination is vital for you and your family’s health.

In many ways, getting rid of fruit flies is similar to the techniques used for getting rid of carpenter ants, gnats and other pests. But if you think you’ll be able to catch these tiny flies by putting out the best indoor mosquito traps, think again – those traps are no match for these pesky pests.

Keep reading to learn easy ways to get rid of fruit flies and also about how to prevent fruit flies. But before that, let’s know some important facts about their origin and existence.

How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies in the House?

These annoying creatures may seem invincible due to their vast number. But there are some easy and proven ways of getting rid of fruit flies in the house. Check them out!

• Deep Clean Your Spaces

  Fruit flies mostly settle in the drain, garbage disposal, kitchen sink, and other close by areas to the kitchen. Do a deep cleaning of these areas when you spot the flies. Empty your trash cans and wash them thoroughly. Rinse off the drain and garbage disposal to get rid of fruit flies from there.

• Throw Rotten & Ripe Fruits Far Away

  Let the fruit flies go in the trash chute away from your home, along with the rotten fruits and veggies. Don’t keep them in the trash can or dustbin near the kitchen. Overly ripped and rotten fruits are the favorite homes for the fruit flies.

• Keep the Disposal Clean

  You may feel that too little garbage is there to take out on a particular day. But even a single piece of fruit is enough for fruit fly infestation in your house. So take out the garbage daily and drain the garbage disposal regularly to prevent fruit flies from colonizing it.

• Don’t Delay in Cleaning up Spills

  Anything sugary and fermented attracts fruit flies. So no matter how tired you are after a party or get-to-gather, never delay in cleaning the spilled juice, beer, wine, etc. Spilled sugary drinks can pave the path for the entry of fruit flies into your home.

• Use Homemade Fruit Fly Trap

  Home remedies like white vinegar fruit fly trap also work most of the time. To make this fruit fly trap, fill a glass with apple cider vinegar and cover it with plastic wrap secured with a rubber band. Make holes in the wrap to attract fruit flies. The flies will fly in and will never be able to come out to trouble you again. You can do the same thing with old beer, fruit juice, and wine. Adding a few drops of dish soap in a bowl of vinegar and leaving it uncovered at the tabletop will also do the trick.

• Spray the OTC Pesticides

  If nothing works, you can use over-the-counter pesticides to eliminate fruit flies. Instead of toxic and harmful pesticides, use gentle solutions in spray bottles such as 91% isopropyl alcohol.

What are Fruit Flies, and Where Do Fruit Flies Come From?

Fruit flies are a common type of fly that can be found throughout the United States. They tend to infest households that have ripe, rotting, or decaying fruit and produce. The lifecycle of fruit flies is relatively short 8-15 days. Therefore it is swift. A female fly can give thousands of eggs. They all grow up and get ready to give birth to more flies within 2 days.

Believe it or not! The fruit flies enjoying a scrumptious meal in your kitchen are bought by you only. They came with the fruits and vegetables you purchased from the market. They either came lingering on your groceries or laid eggs on your fruits.

How to Prevent Fruit Flies?

Let’s catch up on some tips on fruit fly prevention and save all the hard work required to remove fruit flies.

• Dirty spaces around the kitchen and dust bins are major causes of fruit flies.

  Therefore, always keep the kitchen and tabletop areas clean to prevent fruit flies.

• Wash your fruits and veggies once you bring them home.

  Fruit flies can come into your home in the form of eggs and larvae as well. Even after washing, inspect the products you bought at home for any trace of infestation.

• The dishcloths and sponges are full of food residues which can attract fruit flies in the kitchen.

  Also, they are a perfect breeding ground for bacteria because of being moist. So wash them thoroughly every time and keep changing them from time to time.

• Fruits and vegetables kept in open spaces are an open invitation to flies.

  It is advisable to store them in the fridge and take them out only if you are about to eat or cook with them immediately.

• Get rid of fruit flies in garbage disposal by regularly rinsing the disposable.

  Also, wash your trash can regularly. The smallest amount of food is enough for the fruit fly infestation in the house.

• Always use trash liners or trash bags to ensure no trace of food is sitting in your trash can.

  Some residue of the fruits and vegetables may remain in your trash can even after washing.

• The idea of putting screens on your windows and doors also works for stopping fruit flies from entering your home.

  However, they can enter from the tiniest holes, so look for tight-fitting models.

• Keep the lights of your house switched off for a maximum of time to repel fruit flies.

  The newly adult flies don’t like to exist in darkness.

• If you are into brewing cider or beer, make sure the containers are well sealed.

  Keep this in mind while preserving your fruits and veggies also.

• Wash your fruits and vegetables.

  Wash them with a safe solution to rinse off every trace of fruit flies, their eggs, and larva.

• Humidity and moisture encourage fruit flies.

  Therefore use a humidifier in your home to keep moisture in check. Also, dry out food products properly whenever you wash them.

This article provides you with an ample amount of proven tips and tricks for dealing with fruit flies. However, you need to execute these ideas with alertness and precision. If you or any family member gets careless, these irritating creatures will venture into your house before you know it.

Above all, you can always opt for fruit fly pest control to completely get rid of fruit fly infestation and keep them away for a long time.