Environment
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How can I get Rid of Fruit Flies?

Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Fruit flies are those tiny flies you'll often find hovering over your fruit bowl or around your kitchen sink drain. While they don't bite or otherwise harm humans, they are rather gross, as they make maggots. Getting rid of them can be surprisingly difficult since they're so small. However, with a little effort, you can be free of them in no time.

To get rid of fruit flies, make your first step getting rid of what attracts them: food in which they can breed. Cover your fruit bowl or store your fruit in the refrigerator. Sweep up all crumbs and wipe down any counters that may have food residue on them. Clear your drain of all food, and make sure your trashcan has a lid. Discard any overripe fruit, especially bananas, as they are a fruit fly's dream.

Fruit flies.
Fruit flies.

Clean thoroughly to get rid of fruit flies. Wipe up spills right away, and wash your dishrags and dish towels frequently. Avoid leaving dirty laundry around when you have a fruit fly infestation. Never put garbage of any kind in your waste-paper baskets. Clean the seals of your refrigerator and under and around your stove and dishwasher.

Once you've cleaned up and made your home inhospitable to fruit flies, it's time to get rid of those that have already invaded. Spraying isn't your best bet, as you'll probably end up spraying your dishes, food, and food-preparation surfaces too. Instead, use a trap.

Overripe bananas can attract fruit flies.
Overripe bananas can attract fruit flies.

One trap that may help you get rid of fruit flies involves a bowl, plastic wrap, and balsamic vinegar. Put a skinless piece of fruit in the bowl with the vinegar; make sure the fruit is old enough that it's beginning to rot or is at least on the verge of doing so. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap, and don't leave any creases. Then, use a fork to poke small holes in the plastic. If the holes are small enough, the flies will get in, but they won't be able to maneuver back out again.

Leaving dirty laundry around may attract fruit flies.
Leaving dirty laundry around may attract fruit flies.

You can also use a bottle trap. Start with a large, plastic soda bottle. Pour in some vinegar (a funnel may help) until the bottom 1 inch (2.54 centimeters) or so is covered. Then put a couple of drops of dish-washing liquid in the vinegar. When your tiny pests try to land, they'll get stuck in the liquid. Others will simply get trapped in the bottle.

Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a AllThingsNature writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.

Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a AllThingsNature writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.

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Discussion Comments

anon930487

There is an easy, EPA approved, do-it-yourself commercial pest control solution! Fruit Fly Bar Pro is a silent, odorless, colorless killer that attacks and treats the problem area at its source. One treatment lasts for up to four months without shutting down your business a single hour!

anon119864

i will try this. there are so many fruit flies in my house it's not even funny!

anon116718

I don't think it's a good idea to be putting ammonia down the drain and back into our water systems. However, try using white vinegar instead or a hot water(boiling or close to it) and bleach solution.

anon94054

I have a major fruit fly problem they but the method caught 86 in one week. this helped a lot. Thanks.

anon50160

I've heard pouring ammonia down your drain actually helps destroy gnats and other nasties. Try that. I'll be getting a bottle as soon as I can.

lil_moon

I've tried the bottle method to get rid of fruit flies, but without success. I'll have to try the bowl method to see if that works. I think they breed in my garbage disposal.

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    • Fruit flies.
      Fruit flies.
    • Overripe bananas can attract fruit flies.
      By: Nikolai Sorokin
      Overripe bananas can attract fruit flies.
    • Leaving dirty laundry around may attract fruit flies.
      By: Monkey Business
      Leaving dirty laundry around may attract fruit flies.
    • The seals of a refrigerator should be cleaned so as not to attract fruit flies.
      By: Brian Jackson
      The seals of a refrigerator should be cleaned so as not to attract fruit flies.
    • Fruit flies live on and eat ripe and fermenting fruits.
      By: peangdao
      Fruit flies live on and eat ripe and fermenting fruits.
    • Some people use fly paper to help control fruit fly infestations.
      By: ra3rn
      Some people use fly paper to help control fruit fly infestations.
    • Dirty dishes may attract fruit flies.
      By: Dario Lo Presti
      Dirty dishes may attract fruit flies.