How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies: Proven and Effective Methods
By Dr. Aastha Manchanda +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Aastha Manchanda
Last updated: Apr 17, 2024Click to rate this article!
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By Dr. Aastha Manchanda +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Aastha Manchanda
Last updated: Apr 17, 2024Table of Contents
Fruit flies – these small critters can get really annoying. They love to chill around your kitchen, eating ripe fruits, veggies, and sometimes, your trash. The problem is, these tiny pests are not just irritating but may also affect your health.
In this blog, we’ll talk about what causes fruit flies, how to spot them, and how to get rid of fruit flies. Plus, we’ll share tips on how to stay clear of fruit fly infestation in your home. So, let’s go ahead and discover measures for maintaining a cleaner, healthier living space.
Did you know?
Fruit flies are pint-sized, winged insects with red eyes often found at home. Their body colors may vary from tan to black and are usually smaller than your usual housefly. Their prime targets are fruits and veggies that are moist, ripe, or rotting. So your kitchen can be a hotspot for fruit flies, you know!
Spoiling fruits and veggies invite fruit flies, offering them the ideal spot to breed. They love the yeast present in fruit sugars. As fruits ripen or begin to decay, the sugar in them starts to ferment. Also, fruit fly eggs might find a way into your house through your groceries, especially bananas.
Though fruit flies and gnats may look the same, they are different. Gnats are generally smaller, and darker, and love to infest houseplants. It is crucial to tell them apart since the ways to deal with them are different!
Here’s a quick overview of both bugs for your understanding.
| Insects | Appearance | Breeding & Feeding Sites |
| Fruit Flies | Small, red eyes, tan to black body | Ripe or rotting fruits & vegetables |
| Gnats | Smaller, dark gray or black | Decaying organic stuff in houseplants |
To my knowledge, insecticides containing pyrethrin may help in getting rid of the fruit flies. Some studies have tested a trap to catch fruit flies and get rid of them. The trap is made using a jar and a paper funnel (created from notebook paper). Fill the jar with a bit of cider vinegar as bait and keep the trap at a place where fruit flies are frequently seen. This uncomplicated and effective method will capture and allow you to deal with any remaining fruit flies.
Dr. Siddharth Gupta, B.A.M.S, M.D
Want to know how to get rid of fruit flies? Well, here are some the effective methods to get rid of them.
Begin with checking all your fruits and veggies for infestations, spoilage, or damage. Toss out any bad items and store the rest correctly. Washing and drying your fruits and veggies as soon as you get them helps get rid of any hidden eggs or baby bugs.
Make sure food waste is not stuck in your trash drain and recycling bins and that they are emptied regularly. Clean and dry them from time to time. Always use liners in your garbage cans to stop fruit or veggie bits from gathering at the bottom.
Fruit flies love damp places with organic material traces like spills and stale water. Check your home, especially the kitchen and bathroom, for any hidden spills or poorly drained areas. Clean and dry these spaces well to destroy potential breeding points.
Wipe your countertops frequently with a multi-purpose cleaner. This stops fruit flies from settling. So any spills or crumbs, clean them up right away, especially if they are sweet or sticky.
Fruit flies can breed also where organic matter builds up like drains and sink areas. Clean your kitchen sink and drain with vinegar and ice or baking soda mix to remove any leftover residues.
Set a cleaning schedule, and make your home uninviting to fruit flies. Include regular vacuuming, sweeping, mopping, and wiping surfaces. Don’t leave out areas under appliances or furniture.
Also Read: How to Get Rid of Gnats: Your Expert-Approved Guide
Decaying fruit can attract fruit flies into a trap. Put the fruit in a throwaway pot, cover it with plastic wrap, and make small holes in it. This simple fruit flies home remedy utilizes the smell to draw the flies, effectively trapping them inside the container.
Mix apple cider vinegar with some dish soap and you’ve got a handy fruit fly trap. Pour this mix into an open container like a bowl or jar. The smell of vinegar can attract the flies and they’ll get trapped in the soapy fluid.
Another trap involves using wine or beer as bait. Leave a nearly-empty wine or beer bottle on the counter, with some liquid left. The fruit flies can be led by the smell into the bottle, and get stuck.
Ensure to set these traps in a safe place to avoid accidental spills or ingestion.
You can get sticky traps at your local hardware shop made just for capturing fruit flies. Set these traps where fruit flies hang out and replace them once full.
These traps lure fruit flies using pheromones or attractive smells and trap them. Follow the maker’s directions on placing and keeping these traps.
For electronic traps, using ultraviolet light can help tackle fruit fly problems. The light draws fruit flies while an electric grid kills them once in contact.
Be cautious while setting these traps if you have children or pets around to prevent any accidental injury.
We all know prevention is easier than cure, so it may be better to take precautionary measures to get rid of fruit flies. The precautionary measures one may take are: eliminate breeding sources. Consume, discard, or refrigerate ripe fruits and vegetables, and remove damaged parts with eggs or larvae. Even a single neglected source can breed many fruit flies. Seal containers for home-preserved items and use tight screens on doors and windows.
Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS
If you’ve tried many methods and still don’t know how to get rid of a fruit fly infestation, perhaps it’s time to call a professional exterminator. They have the knowledge and equipment to handle large or stubborn infestations, making your home free of fruit flies.
Let’s have a look at how effective these methods can be.
| Method | Pros | Cons |
| Locate & eliminate the source | Targets the root cause of infestation | Can be time-consuming & labor-intensive |
| Clean & sanitize | Reduces the risk of re-infestation | Requires ongoing effort & vigilance |
| Homemade traps | Cost-effective & eco-friendly | May not be effective for all infestations |
| Commercial traps | Widely available & easy to use | Can be more costly than homemade solutions |
| Professional extermination | Expert knowledge & resources | Expensive & may involve chemical use |
One potential way to stop fruit fly problems is to put your produce in the fridge as much as possible. This significantly lowers the chances of fruit flies finding a nice place to breed.
Store your fruits and veggies in sealed containers or plastic bags to keep fruit flies off. This also helps to keep your produce fresh and of good quality.
Also Read: What Causes Roaches: An Insight into Infestation Sources and Prevention
Fix any leaks or drainage problems in your home promptly, as these may attract fruit flies. Ensure your pipes work fine, and check for any possible water build-up spots.
Clear your trash and recycling bins routinely, especially when they contain spoiled fruits, veggies, or other organic stuff. Keeping your bins clean, dry, and smell-free can stop fruit flies from pestering your home.
Check your home for any cracks or openings where fruit flies might enter. Seal these spots with caulking, weather stripping, or similar stuff to block pests.
Fruit fly problems are not just annoying; they might also affect your health. Although there is no direct transmission of infection through their bite or stings, these tiny insects may carry and spread bacteria like E. coli from contaminated material, making your food and the home surfaces they sit on also contaminated. Plus, female fruit flies often lay their eggs in ripe or decaying fruits, which may further lead to infection or allergic reactions if eaten.
Fruit fly problems can be annoying and possibly bad for your health. By keeping things clean, making use of homemade solutions, and seeking pro help if needed, you can fight and stop these pests from taking over your home. Please remember, that the earlier you deal with fruit flies, the better. So act as soon as you spot them. Keep these strategies handy, and say goodbye to annoying fruit flies for good.
Also Read: Spanish Fly: Debunking Myths and Understanding Potential Effects
Fruit flies are tiny bugs with red eyes and a tan to black body. If you see these pests near ripe or rotting fruits, veggies, or your garbage bin, your house may have a fruit fly issue.
Fruit flies are mainly a bother, but they might be harmful by spreading bacteria on surfaces and making food dirty. So, it’s crucial to deal with infestations at the earliest to lessen the possible damage.
Fruit flies love ripe or rotting fruits and veggies, whereas gnats are into damp organic stuff like those found in houseplants. Fruit flies have red eyes and tan to black bodies, while gnats are usually smaller, darker in color, and have long legs.
The time it takes to kill fruit flies changes based on how severe the problem is and how good the control measures used are. It can take a few days to a few weeks.
Bleach might kill some fruit fly eggs or baby bugs, but it doesn’t stay in drains or other breeding spots long enough to completely kill off the infestation. Homemade traps and other ways are usually more useful in tackling fruit fly issues.
In general, vinegar is safe to use as a fruit fly trap around kids and pets. However, do ensure to set the vinegar trap in a safe place to avoid accidental spills or ingestion.
Fruit flies typically originate from overripe fruits and vegetables. Their eggs are laid on the surface of decaying organic matter, and the larvae hatch in these environments, giving rise to adult fruit flies.
No, fruit flies do not bite humans. They primarily feed on decaying fruits and vegetables, and their mouthparts are not adapted for biting.
Fruit flies have a short lifespan of about 8 to 10 days on average. However, their life cycle may vary depending on factors such as temperature and food availability.
While fruit flies themselves are not inherently harmful, they can carry bacteria on their bodies and may transfer it to food. In rare cases, this can pose a minor risk of foodborne illness, particularly if they have been in contact with contaminated surfaces.
Vacuuming can be an effective method to capture and remove fruit flies from the air. Use a vacuum with a nozzle attachment, and empty the vacuum bag or canister promptly to prevent fruit flies from escaping.
Yes, fruit flies are attracted to light. They exhibit positive phototaxis, meaning they are drawn towards light sources, which is often used as a method for trapping or controlling fruit fly populations.
No, fruit flies (Drosophila) and house flies (Musca domestica) are different species. They vary in appearance, behavior, and habitat preferences, with fruit flies being smaller and often found near ripe or fermenting fruits, while house flies are larger and are commonly associated with human habitations and waste.
Yes, fly spray can be effective in killing fruit flies. Most commercial fly sprays contain insecticides that target a broad range of flying insects, including fruit flies, when sprayed directly on them.
Boiling water can be an effective method to eliminate fruit flies in drains and other breeding areas. Pouring boiling water down drains can help dislodge and kill larvae, reducing the fruit fly population.
Yes, rubbing alcohol can be used to kill fruit flies. Spraying a mixture of rubbing alcohol and water directly on the flies can be effective in eliminating them.
Fruit flies are less active in colder temperatures, and their reproduction slows down. While they may not thrive in winter, some may still survive indoors where it’s warmer, although their populations typically decrease during the colder months.
Fruit flies dislike strong-smelling substances such as vinegar, citrus, and essential oils like eucalyptus or peppermint. These scents can act as natural repellents and help deter fruit flies.
Create a simple fruit fly trap by placing apple cider vinegar in a container with a drop of dish soap. The scent attracts fruit flies, and the soap reduces surface tension, causing them to drown.
Fruit flies lay their eggs on the surface of fermenting or decaying fruits and vegetables. The organic matter provides a suitable environment for the development of fruit fly larvae.
To eliminate fruit flies in drains, start by pouring boiling water down the drain to flush out eggs and larvae. Follow up with a mixture of vinegar and baking soda to break down organic matter, preventing future infestations. Finally, use a drain brush to scrub away any remaining debris and ensure a clean, fly-free drain.
To eliminate fruit flies in plants, start by removing overripe fruits and vegetables nearby, as they attract them. Then, create a solution of water and dish soap in a shallow dish to trap the flies. Additionally, consider using natural repellents like vinegar traps or essential oils to deter them from infesting your plants further.
To get rid of fruit flies in your house, start by eliminating their food sources by keeping fruits and vegetables stored properly and cleaning up spills. Set up traps using apple cider vinegar or dish soap and water to attract and catch them. Regularly empty and clean your trash cans to prevent breeding grounds.
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