How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies: 7 Simple Tips to Apply

How to get rid of fruit flies? Any two-winged insect of the families Trypetidae or Drosophilidae (order Diptera) whose larvae consume fruit or other vegetative matter is called a fruit fly. Large and little fruit flies are common names for insects belonging to Drosophilidae and Trypetidae, respectively.

Common fruit flies in the home can be very annoying. How to get rid of fruit flies will be discussed in this article.

1. Fruit Flies, a Nuisance

Although these flies are always around, they are most active in late summer and early fall. Fruit flies are not dangerous but might indicate unhygienic living circumstances.

An infestation that starts indoors is frequently brought on by perishable foods like tomatoes, melons, grapes, and grapefruit that are brought in from the garden. Fruit flies are also drawn to decaying bananas, potatoes, onions, and other grocery item that has not been refrigerated.

2. The Biology of Fruit Flies

Fruit flies deposit their eggs on the surface of fermenting foods. The tiny larvae linger on the surface of the fermenting mass after emerging to continue eating.

This surface-feeding trait of the larvae is essential because it removes damaged or overripe fruits and vegetable sections without the rest being thrown out of concern about harbouring any growing larvae.

Fruit flies can lay almost 2000 eggs. The life cycle may be finished in roughly a week from egg to adult.

3. Fruit Flies vs. Gnats

How to get rid of fruit flies? Fruit flies and fungus gnats, which often appear identical, are often confused. Fruit flies vary in color from pale tan to brown, whereas gnats are grayish or black. Fruit flies enjoy eating overripe fruit and other vegetables and thrive on high-fructose foods, whereas fungus gnats reside on plants and in soil.

4. Potential Health Risks

Fruit flies are known for collecting germs that spread on other things and meals.

Manure that may carry microorganisms like E. coli is their breeding ground. They then carry the bacteria.

Upon mating, female fruit flies may inject groups of eggs into unripe fruit. The fruit spoils as a result.

5. How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies

You will need to do the following to get rid of the fruit fly infestation in your home.

5.1. DIY Fruit Fly Traps

Place fly traps. Fly traps are crucial control devices that eradicate fresh adults as they appear.

5.1.1. Apple Cider Vinegar Trap

A tiny amount of apple cider vinegar (ACV) should be added to the bottom of the jar. Make a cone with a paper. Place the cone so the narrow end points up and on top of the jar. The flies are drawn to ACV. They are kept in the jar by the cone.

5.2.2. Wine Trap

Pour a little bit of wine into the bottom of a little jar. A paper should be rolled into a cone. Place the cone on the jar. The wine is attractive to flies. The cone keeps them contained in the container.

5.3.3. Apple cider vinegar and dish soap trap

Make a DIY fruit fly trap. In a container, combine both ingredients to attract fruit flies. The vinegar will entice the flies in while the dish soap will make it harder for them to fly away.

5.2. Rotten Fruit

Utilize the rotting fruit that first attracted them. Put some rotten fruit that has been cut into a basin. With a rubber band, tightly wrap plastic wrap around the bowl. Make a few holes in the plastic using a toothpick. Fruit flies should be able to crawl through the openings, but they should not be able to escape because of their size.

5.3. Keep Cleanliness

Clean up any spots where food could accumulate and decompose first. Consequently, you should store your trash outside or in a container with a tight-fitting cover.

Clean all countertops entirely. Keep food residue and particles out of sink drains and garbage disposals as much as you can.

Female fruit flies may lay their eggs on dirty countertops in your kitchen. Cleaning them regularly will prevent them from doing so.

5.4. Wash the Dishes Instantly

Dishes should be washed as you use them to help significantly reduce fruit fly breeding grounds. If they are not enticed to do so, they won’t deposit their eggs in the grime that builds up on the plates in your sink. You should know how to get rid of fruit flies? Remove any spots that might serve as breeding grounds, like soiled plates.

5.5. Take Out the Trash Frequently

It may seem obvious, but a clean home is free of pests. Flies won’t remain if the trash is taken away regularly.

Remove the garbage and scrub the trash cans with a strong cleanser like bleach. Before using the cans once more, make sure they are thoroughly dry.

5.6. Alcohol and Other Solutions

Commercial traps are available if you are searching for an alcohol-based option, or you can make your spray by combining isopropyl alcohol and water. That should instantly kill the flies.

Malic acid and sodium lauryl sulfate together are effective too.

5.7. Insect Sprays

Along with the sticky fly paper and plastic traps, you may spritz insect repellents and sprays throughout your kitchen to kill fruit flies.

Remember that insect repellent sprays contain harmful chemicals if you decide to use them. Follow the safety precautions and thoroughly read the label.

Suggested reading: Where Do Fruit Flies Come From And 3 Effective Ways To Get Rid Of Them

6. Conclusion

How to get rid of fruit flies? The fruit fly problem is a nuisance. Fruit flies might contaminate food with germs and other disease-causing organisms. Fruit flies only have a short lifespan of two weeks, and they become less resilient as the weather becomes colder.

If you clean up an area with many flies, wash your hands well afterwards, and wash any fruits and veggies left on your countertops before eating them.

Using traps to catch adult fruit flies only addresses half the issue. There might still be eggs on other things in your home, which would encourage the growth of fruit flies. The only way to control the fruit fly infestation is to identify and get rid of these feeding and breeding sources.

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