Fruit flies can quickly turn from a minor annoyance to a major pest problem. These uninvited guests love damp areas and sweet scents, making kitchens and bathrooms ideal spots for them to gather. The good news is that you can get rid of fruit flies using simple household methods! Here’s how to banish them and keep them from coming back—all with the friendly Geniemates approach.
What Attracts Fruit Flies?
Before we dive into solutions, let’s look at what draws these pesky flies in the first place. Fruit flies are particularly fond of overripe or decaying produce. They’re also attracted to moist areas that might contain bits of food residue, like drains, garbage disposals, or trash cans. By identifying these spots, you’ll have a better chance of cutting off their food supply and keeping your home fruit fly-free!
6 Steps to Get Rid of Fruit Flies
1. Flush Out Drains with Boiling Vinegar or Water
Fruit flies love hiding out in drains. A quick fix? Pour boiling white vinegar or plain water down your sink drains, garbage disposal, or bathroom drains to flush out and kill any hidden fruit flies.
2. Set a Simple Apple Cider Vinegar Trap
Fill a shallow dish with apple cider vinegar, cover it with plastic wrap, and poke a few small holes in the top. Fruit flies are drawn to the smell and enter through the holes but can’t find their way out. Refresh the vinegar daily to keep the trap effective.
3. Create a Soap-Water Light Trap
Mix a few drops of liquid soap into a bowl of water and place it under a small light source (like a countertop lamp) overnight. The light attracts the flies, and the soap breaks the water’s surface tension, trapping them.
Keeping Fruit Flies Away Long-Term
Once you’ve removed the current batch of fruit flies, here are some proactive tips for keeping them away:
4. Keep Your Space Clean and Food Covered
Fruit flies are attracted to food left out in the open. Cover up food with lids, foil, or plastic wrap to prevent flies from feasting. Wipe counters, wash dishes promptly, and keep food securely stored. If you notice food that’s past its prime, toss it out.
5. Keep Damp Areas Dry
Since fruit flies love moisture, regularly check and dry areas prone to dampness, like sinks and counters. Use a cloth to dry the area after washing dishes and occasionally inspect under the sink or around drains for leaks.
6. Wash Produce When You Bring It Home
Fruit flies (or their eggs) often hitch a ride into your home on fresh produce. Rinse your fruits and vegetables as soon as you bring them home, especially things like tomatoes, apples, and bananas.
Extra Geniemates Tips: Taking Your Cleaning Further!
– Inspect and Clean Trash Bins: Trash cans are common breeding spots for fruit flies, especially if they contain decomposing food. Give your bins a deep clean periodically with a vinegar or soap solution, and make sure to empty them regularly.
– Regular Disposal Care: If you have a garbage disposal, fruit fly eggs can easily gather there. Pouring baking soda followed by vinegar, letting it fizz, and then flushing with hot water can help sanitize the disposal.
– Avoid Overripe Produce: Consider purchasing only the amount of fresh produce you’ll use within a week to avoid attracting flies with overripe fruit. This will reduce waste and help keep flies out!
Leave It to Geniemates!
Fruit flies are small, but dealing with them can feel like a big job. If your busy schedule keeps you from tackling these little invaders, Geniemates is here to help! Our team can handle these tasks and more, so you can enjoy a clean, peaceful home. Explore our services and let us take care of the cleaning for you!