Say Goodbye to Fruit Flies | How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies Once And For All

Nothing ruins the joy of a clean kitchen quicker than spotting a cluster of pesky little bugs hovering near your fruit bowl or garbage disposal. Fruit flies may be tiny pests, but they’re a huge nuisance. This blog will guide you through tried-and-true methods not only on how to get rid of fruit flies, but also prevent them from returning. By the end, your home will be fruit fly-free!

Why Do Fruit Flies Invade Your Home?

Fruit flies are attracted to specific conditions that are often common in households, which makes it easy for them to appear and multiply quickly. Understanding what draws them in can help you prevent an infestation. Here are the main reasons fruit flies invade your home:

1. Overripe or Rotting Fruit and Vegetables

Fruit flies are aptly named for their strong attraction to ripened or decaying produce. The natural sugars and fermentation process in fruits and vegetables make them a prime source of food and a breeding ground. Leaving food uncovered or allowing it to sit out for too long can quickly attract these pests.

2. Dirty Drains

Kitchen drains often harbor leftover food particles and moisture, creating an ideal environment for fruit flies to lay eggs. If drains are not cleaned regularly, they can become a hidden hotspot for these pests within your home.

3. Trash and Compost Bins

Garbage cans, especially those containing organic waste like food scraps, are another common reason fruit flies appear. The decomposition of waste produces odors that attract fruit flies, making dirty or unsealed trash and compost bins a magnet for infestations.

4. Spilled Juices or Sugary Liquids

Even small spills of sugary drinks, wine, or beer that are not promptly cleaned can draw fruit flies into your kitchen. These sugary residues provide an easily accessible food source for them.

5. Improperly Stored or Opened Food

Leaving food uncovered or improperly sealed can also be an invitation for fruit flies. Open containers, sticky lids, or accessible jars of honey, syrup, or jam are all potential attractants.

By identifying and addressing these underlying causes, you can minimize the factors that invite fruit flies into your home and keep them from returning. Prevention starts with maintaining cleanliness and proper storage practices in your living spaces.

How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies

The good news? You can rid your home of fruit flies using effective DIY traps and a little attention to cleanliness. Here’s how to tackle your fruit fly infestation:

1. Set Up DIY Fruit Fly Traps

Creating a DIY fruit fly trap is quick, easy, and highly effective. Here are some simple options:

Apple Cider Vinegar Trap

Apple cider vinegar is a well-known trick to attract fruit flies. Here’s how to set it up:

• Pour about half a cup of apple cider vinegar into a jar, bowl, or cup.
• Add a few drops of dish soap to break the surface tension of the liquid. Dish soap cuts through the tension, causing fruit flies to sink.
• Cover the jar with plastic wrap and secure with a rubber band.
• Poke a few small holes in the plastic wrap to allow fruit flies to enter but trap them inside.

This classic trap is one of the best fruit fly traps out there, as the flies can’t resist the scent of vinegar.

Funnel Trap Using Overripe Fruit

This trap uses overripe produce to catch fruit flies:

• Place a piece of overripe fruit or fruit scraps in the bottom of a Mason jar or cup.
• Roll a sheet of paper into a cone shape with a narrow opening and place it in the jar, narrow end down.
• The fruit flies will enter the jar through the cone, but the funnel shape makes it difficult for them to escape.

This is particularly effective if you have leftover rotting fruit to dispose of.

Dish Soap and Vinegar Bowl

If you don’t have plastic wrap or jars handy, try this:

• Combine equal parts white vinegar and water in a shallow bowl or glass.
• Add a couple of drops of dish soap.
• Place the dish in areas where fruit flies tend to gather.

The mixture works to attract and kill fruit flies without complex setups.

2. Attack Hidden Breeding Grounds

Fruit flies often breed in places you can’t see. Don’t stop at traps; take these extra steps to eliminate fruit flies completely:

• Clean Your Sink Drain

If fruit flies are hovering around your kitchen sink, it’s likely they’re breeding in decaying food particles trapped in the drain.

Here’s what to do:

• Pour boiling water into the sink drain.
• Follow up with a mixture of baking soda and white vinegar to break down the residue.
• Finish with more boiling water to flush it out.
• Check and Clean Garbage Disposals

Scrub your garbage disposal or use a cleaner made specifically for disposals to remove leftover food scraps.

Summary On DIY Traps

If you’re struggling with a fruit fly infestation, creating your own traps at home can be an effective and inexpensive solution. Here are some simple DIY fruit fly traps you can try:

1. Vinegar and Dish Soap Trap

This is one of the most effective and easiest traps to create. Simply fill a small bowl or glass with apple cider vinegar and add a few drops of dish soap. The vinegar attracts the fruit flies, while the dish soap breaks the surface tension, causing them to sink and drown. Place the trap near problem areas such as your kitchen counter or garbage bin.

2. Jar and Fruit Bait Trap

Take a jar and place a piece of overripe fruit inside as bait. Then cover the opening with plastic wrap and secure it with a rubber band. Poke small holes in the plastic wrap using a fork or toothpick. Fruit flies can enter the jar through the holes but will have trouble escaping, trapping them effectively over time.

3. Wine or Beer Trap

Fruit flies are also highly attracted to fermented liquids like leftover wine or flat beer. Pour a small amount into a container and cover the top with plastic wrap, securing it with a rubber band. Puncture holes in the plastic as done in the jar and fruit bait trap. The flies will be seduced by the scent and get trapped.

4. Paper Cone and Vinegar Trap

Using a jar, place apple cider vinegar as bait, and form a cone with a piece of paper, ensuring the narrow end points downward into the jar. Tape the cone in place to prevent movement. The flies will find their way into the jar through the cone but will struggle to find their way back out.

These traps not only help reduce the existing fruit fly population but also disrupt their breeding cycle. Make sure to empty and clean the traps regularly to maintain their effectiveness.

3. Keep Your Home Clean

Once you’ve set fruit fly traps and cleaned breeding grounds, preventing another infestation is key:

Wash Produce Immediately

Rinse fruits and vegetables as soon as you bring them home to eliminate eggs or larvae clinging to the surface.

Store Food Properly

Keep ripe fruit in the refrigerator, and throw away produce that starts to spoil right away.

Empty Trash Cans Often

Food scraps make for a fruit fly buffet. Take out the trash frequently, especially in the summer months or if you notice fruit flies nearby.

Clean Surfaces

Sticky spills or crumbs on counters can provide a feast for tiny pests. Wipe down all surfaces regularly.

Other Flying Pests to Watch Out For

While fruit flies get most of the attention, other household pests may also invade your space. For example:

• Drain Flies look similar but breed specifically in wet drains and pipes.
• Fungus Gnats are attracted to houseplants with overly moist soil.
• House Flies often appear alongside food waste and decaying matter.

Identifying the type of pest will help you deploy the right solutions.

Preventing Future Infestations

Once you’ve resolved your fruit fly problem, take these preventative steps to make your home an uninviting place for pests:

• Regularly clean your kitchen sink, trash cans, and counters.
• Avoid leaving fruit or vegetables uncovered for long periods.
• Monitor houseplants for signs of overwatering that could attract fungus gnats.
• Take proactive steps to seal garbage disposals and drains.

6 Top Products to Get Rid of Drain Flies

If homemade traps aren’t effective enough or if you’re dealing with a persistent drain fly infestation, using specialized products can make a big difference. Below are six highly-rated products designed to eliminate drain flies, along with links to purchase them:

• Green Gobbler Drain Fly Killer: This gel-based formula is designed to coat your drains and pipes, breaking down organic matter where drain flies breed. It effectively eliminates larvae and prevents future infestations. Buy Green Gobbler Drain Fly Killer
• Bio-Clean Drain Cleaner: A natural, enzymatic cleaner that uses bacteria to digest organic waste in your drains, making it an eco-friendly option for tackling drain fly problems. Buy Bio-Clean Drain Cleaner
• Invade Bio Drain Gel: A powerful yet safe solution for drain flies, this product uses natural microbes and citrus oil to remove grime and odors from drains. Buy Invade Bio Drain Gel
• Drano Max Gel Clog Remover: While primarily advertised as a clog remover, Drano Max Gel also works wonders against drain fly breeding grounds by clearing out grime and debris in pipes. Buy Drano Max Gel
• Terro Fruit Fly and Drain Fly Traps: These convenient, pre-made traps effectively attract and trap drain flies and fruit flies. They’re easy to use and provide a quick solution for infestations. Buy Terro Fly Traps
• Rockwell Labs Invade Hot Spot: A foam spray that targets hard-to-reach areas in drains, cracks, and crevices where drain flies lay their eggs. Its microbial action ensures long-lasting effects. Buy Rockwell Labs Invade Hot Spot

These products are excellent tools to help you eliminate drain flies effectively and prevent future outbreaks. Remember to follow the instructions on each product for the best results.

MD Sewer and Plumbing is here to end your pesky fruit fly problem! Call us today!

Say Goodbye to Pesky Fruit Flies

Fruit flies may be small, but with the right solutions, they’re no match for you. By using DIY traps, eliminating breeding grounds, and keeping a clean living space, you can rid your home of fruit flies and enjoy a pest-free environment.

If you’ve had success with a particular fruit fly trap or solution, share your experience in the comments below. Together, we can say goodbye to these pesky little bugs for good.