How To Get Rid Of Fruit Fly Infestation

Fruit fly infestation is common in homes. These long flies with red eyes and yellow bodies are often brought indoors, fresh vegetables and fruits, and stick around in the house. Fruit flies do not cause any damage in the house but can be a nuisance when they are in large numbers.

If you are facing fruit fly infestation in the house, then keep reading the post. Here we have covered some of the best tips to get rid of fruit flies.

Where do fruit flies come from? What causes fruit flies?

Even though it looks like fruit flies come out of nowhere, they are usually attracted to fermented fruits and vegetables, as the name suggests. A female fruit fly lays eggs on the surface of rotting, overripe, or decaying fruit, and at a time, they can lay upto 500 eggs. After hatching, the larva starts feasting on the surrounding area for a few days and then evolves into an adult fly. The life cycle of fruit flies is pretty fast, which is why you should start acting as soon as you notice them.

How to get rid of fruit flies in the house?

Here are some easy methods to get rid of fruit flies in the house.

Find the source

The first and the most important thing to keep fruit flies away from your house is identifying where they come from. If you see them hanging around on open food items, then throw any leftover food and clean the area properly. You can use a good cleaner to disinfect the area properly. 

Clean common areas

Now that you know the source of the problem, checks your kitchen drains properly. If you notice any clogs that might require a good cleaning, then take care of them as soon s you spot them. Fruit flies tend to live in warm and moist places.

Also, remember to check your trash cans for any sign of fruit fly. Fruit flies lay eggs in trash cans which can worsen the infestation. If you see them swamping around the trash, it’s a sign that you need to throw out the trash and clean the bins using heavy-duty cleaners-based cleaners. Remember to dry the cans completely before using them.

Use the rotten fruit against them.

Another great way to get rid of fruit fly infestation is using the rotten fruits against them. You can use them as a way to trap fruit flies in the house. Follow these steps:

• Instead of throwing away the rotten or open food, put them into disposable containers.
• Cover the container with a plastic wrap tightly. 
• Now poke some holes on the wrap and place it on the area where the fruit flies are gathered, and wait for some time.
• You will see a swarm of flies inside the trap. Now dispose of it away from your house and keep using this trap on fruit flies until all of them are gone.

Spray Them (If You Want)

If you wish to kill the fruit flies and end the fruit fly infestation once and for all, you can use insecticide sprays. Fruit fly infestation is usually not enough nuisance to have you spray them in the kitchen; however, you might be tempted to do that.

As with using a trap on fruit flies, it generally works only on adult flies. When using a spray, avoid spraying on food for killing the flies as it will ruin the food. Peppermint sprays and 91% isopropyl alcohol are effective when used in the fine-mist spray. Alcohol also makes a great sanitizer and does not harm any house surface; however, it can discolor certain materials. 

Make a swimming pool trap.

Do you have leftover wine that you are not going to finish? Then you can use it to create a homemade fruit fly trap and end teh infestation.

• Pour some red wine on a dish detergent and put it into a disposable container. Stir the mixture properly.
• Cover the container with plastic wrap.
• Poke a few holes into the plastic wrap. Keep the holes big enough for flies to get inside.

Wine attracts fruit flies, and a combination with detergent will make it difficult for them to fly out and then will eventually drown.

Mix a vinegar solution

Another great homemade fruit fly trap is using vinegar solution. Follow these steps:

• Fill a disposable container completely with water.
• Add a few tablespoons of sugar and vinegar to water and stir nicely.
• Add dish soap to this solution and keep stirring.

After you have mixed the solution properly, put the container where you see the group of fruit flies. They will be attracted to the sugary solution, and once they touch the water, they will drown.

Try a store-bought trap.

If your homemade fruit fly trap does not work, it is time to use the store-bought trap on nasty fruit flies. You can buy them from any local hardware store near you and get a sticky fly trap. These traps work perfectly fine on all kinds of flies.

Keep the trap n the affected area and dispose of it once you see that the entire sticky area is covered. You can use more traps required. 

Hire an exterminator

Suppose none of the above methods works; then it’s time to call the exterminator. However, this method is 1005 effective but can be costly. Also, your pets and babies may experience adverse side effects due to chemicals used to kill the fruit flies in the house.

How to Prevent Fruit Flies In the Home? 

Like with any flying insects, fruit fly infestation is best controlled by limiting their ability to breed and feed. You can follow these steps to prevent fruit flies in the house.

• Refrigerate vegetables and fruits to tolerate refrigeration.
• Discard overly damaged, ripe, and decaying vegetables and fruits.
• Clean any spilled sodas, juices, wines, and other liquids. 
• Wash beverage containers regularly before you recycle them
• Empty and clean the trash bins regularly
• Cover vegetables and fruits using mesh covers.

Once the sanitation is under check, you will have to wait to let the fruit fly diminish. To prevent outdoor fly infestation around trash kinds, wait for the arrival for colder months to have them disappear. Regardless of the weather condition and location, fruit flies will be no problem if there is no food around. 

What is the difference between gnats & fruit flies?

If you ever spot black bugs flying around, you should first identify the kind of fly it is. Fungus gnats and fruit flies are easy to confuse. 

Gnats are usually black or grey in color, whereas fruit flies are yellow to brown in color. 

Fruit flies are attracted to ripe fruits and also thrive on high fructose substances. Fungus gnats survive on plants and soil.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Fruit Flies Fit Through Window Screen?

Fruit flies cannot pass through the mesh on the window screen with an opening of 18 x 14 inches. You need a minimum 16-inch opening to keep the fruit flies out of the window. 

Can Fruit Flies Make You Sick?

Fruit flies are not usually considered dangerous, even if ingested by mistake. However, these can spread microorganisms and bacteria in the house and contribute to food-borne illness, which can become hard to trace.

Do I Have to Throw Out Food That Has Attracted Fruit Flies?

You can eat the vegetables and fruits where flies have been hanging but cut away the bruised, damaged, or rotted portion. This is where flies are most likely to lay eggs. Always wash your food items before eating.