Simple Tricks to Get Rid of Pesky Fruit Flies
Fruit flies do not require much to make your house their home, which is why many homeowners spend hours and days researching how to get rid of fruit flies.
The pests are attracted to any foodstuff that is moist, ripe, and almost fermenting. Therefore, you can easily find them in empty bottles, trash bags, and cleaning rags.
Fruit flies are incredibly prolific and can lay up to 500 eggs at a time. Once the larva hatches, it finds food on the surface where it was laid. Fruit fly larva only eats the surface of foodstuffs, which means that you will probably have to toss out the remaining parts.
The Top Sources of Fruit Flies
Fruit flies are stealthy, annoying insects that can smell rotting food from miles away. Contrary to the common misconception, fruit flies do not come from inside rotting fruits and vegetables but rather from outside.
The pests are attracted to moist foodstuffs. In addition, you can expect to find fruit flies in drains, empty bottles, cans, and cleaning mops. They may even be attracted to damp soil.
Closing your doors and windows may not be enough to deter fruit flies. The pests are so small they could squeeze their way into your home through the tiniest cracks and crevices around windows and doors.
You see overripe fruits and vegetables inside your home eventually ferment and produce alcohol, which draws in fruit flies.
Once fruit flies invade your home and locate the ripe food, they begin to gobble it up. In the process, they also lay their eggs on the food surface. Fruit flies can also invade your home through overripe groceries.
Related: Environmental Pest Control For Your Garden
Home Remedies and Solutions for How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies
Consider finding the source of fruit flies in your home before you start learning how to get rid of fruit flies using various home remedies. It is advisable to use a fruit fly repellent or trap near the source.
Sticky Traps
As the name suggests sticky traps feature tape with a thin film of sticky gel on both sides. These traps are extremely effective for catching fruit flies both outdoors and indoor traps specifically designed for potted plants. They often come in bright colors such as yellow to attract the pests and trap them on the tape.
In addition, they are extremely user-friendly, waterproof and resistant to UV rays. You will not have to remove the traps unless it is completely covered by fruit flies on both sides.
Vinegar Trap
This is one of the most readily available remedies for getting rid of fruit flies. Vinegar traps are ideal for homeowners looking for DIY techniques. To create a vinegar trap, you need a container, sugar, apple cider vinegar, soap, and water.
Add a tablespoon of sugar, two tablespoons of vinegar, and 2-3 drops of soap in a container with a litre of water. Mix the solution thoroughly and place it near the area where you see the most fruit flies.
Bleach
If the fruit flies are coming from your drain, then bleach may help reduce the problem. However, this method may not be useful if the fruit flies are coming from deep inside the duct.
Avoid pouring bleach straight into the drain. as an alternative, mix it with some water first. Alternatively, use ammonia to get rid of fruit flies inside your pipe.
However, NEVER mix ammonia with bleach because they will react and produce a dangerous fume.
Fogging Products
Consider using fogging products if fruit flies have invaded a large area in your home. Be sure to buy the right fogging product because some are designed for indoor use while others are more effective outdoors.
How to Prevent Fruit Flies from Invading Your Home Again
It is essential to learn not only how to get rid of fruit flies but also how to prevent them from invading your home again. Here are some helpful tips for keeping fruit flies at bay.
Hygiene
Be sure to clean dirty dishes in your sink. In addition, cover all trash bags in and outside your home. Alternatively, get rid of the trash bags altogether. Consider using trash containers that contain odors.
Dampness
Find damp areas inside your home, especially inside your bathroom or kitchen. Fruit flies love moist and dump areas. Therefore, make sure the surfaces in your home are as dry as possible. In addition, find sources of leaking pipes and fix them.
Potted Plants
If you are sure that the source of the fruit flies inside your home is indoor plants, then you may have to change the potting soil. Look around for quality organic soil devoid of weeds and pests.
Fruit flies are annoying little things that can also spread diseases. It is essential to learn how to get rid of fruit flies to prevent infections and keep your home comfortable for you and your family.
If these pests happen to invade your home, there is a wide range of products that can get rid of them for good.
