How To Get Rid Of Fruit Flies And Keep Them Away

It's happened to all of us—the bunch of bananas meant to be used in smoothies or enjoyed as a healthy snack is now sitting on the kitchen counter, turning a not-so-appetizing shade of brown. Besides the unpleasant sight, there's an even worse result: fruit flies.

While we're not completely certain how fruit flies appear in our homes, the one thing we know is we want them out as soon as possible. Here is everything you need to know about fruit flies, including how to prevent and get rid of them, just in time for summer.

What Are Fruit Flies?

You've likely seen fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) in the kitchen. These tiny, annoying pests have brown bodies and red eyes, and they may be hovering around fermenting food or sticky spills. If you purchase over-ripened fruits or vegetables, they can already be infested with eggs when you bring them home. In addition, fruit flies' microscopic bodies make it easy for them to get into homes through cracks in the windows and doors, and overripe fruit and decomposing waste are like siren calls for them. They also can lay about 500 eggs in one reproductive cycle, and their lifespan from egg to adult is completed in one week.

And for insects with such short life spans, they stay busy! Fruit flies can be a year-round issue but are especially abundant during the summer and fall when fresh produce is most common in homes.

How To Get Rid Of Fruit Flies

Once you realize that you have fruit flies, it's best to try to remove them as quickly as possible. If you don't want to buy a fruit fly trap, there are plenty of household items that you can use to make your own fly trap solution.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Fruit flies cannot resist the tangy-sweet smell of vinegar. Fill a mason jar, or any container, with apple cider vinegar, and then fashion a funnel out of a piece of notebook paper or a coffee filter. Alternatively, you can secure the top of the container in plastic wrap and poke a few tiny holes into it. The flies will be attracted to the vinegar but won't be able to fly out. If you don't have material for a funnel, you can also mix three parts apple cider vinegar with one part blue dish detergent. The soap will make their wings too heavy to fly.

Wine or Beer

Similar to vinegar, fruit flies love the fermented sweet smell of wine and beer. Use the same funnel or plastic wrap method to trap them in a container.

Rotten Fruit

Put those overripe bananas to good use by placing the peel and pieces of the banana in a container, again sealing the top with a funnel or plastic wrap.

Alcohol Spray

Skip the potentially harmful chemicals in some household products and make your own spray. Use 91% isopropyl alcohol in a spray bottle to kill the flies on contact without putting yourself and others in harm's way with harsh chemicals.

Fruit Fly Trap

If you don't want to make one, buy a fruit fly trap and set it near the infestation. They can be pretty effective. The fruit flies are attracted to them and get stuck on the sticky glue.

Ways To Prevent Fruit Flies In Your Home

The best way to get rid of fruit flies and to keep them away is to get rid of things that attract them, whether it's decomposing food or a dirty sink. Here's how to prevent them in your home:

Clean all surfaces regularly

Fruit flies feed on the liquid of decomposing food and any sticky substances. Wipe down all your countertops and clean up any spilled food that may have found its way onto the floor or under your fridge.

Empty the trash

Taking out the trash and recycling regularly also helps. Fruit flies will still find rotten food thrown in the trash and drink cans that still contain liquid, so keep a lid on the bins for extra protection. Don't forget to clean trash cans and recycling bins, as any spills or buildup on the bottom may attract fruit flies.

Keep drains clean and clear

Fruit flies can breed in drains if there are clumps of food caught in your pipes. You can use a baking soda-vinegar solution or boiling water to clear out caught food in drains. Get rid of clogs in drains, and make sure to clean the garbage disposal and not let food debris sit in it. If the problem persists, you may need to call a professional to check for plumbing problems, such as leaks or a cracked pipe.

Check your fridge and countertops

Be sure that you don't have overly ripe fruit hanging out on the countertops or in your fridge. It's best to not leave any food out on the countertops if it's not stored in air-tight containers.

Fix window and door screens

Because of their small size, adult fruit flies can easily get in through cracks and tears in bug screens. Regularly inspect your screens to ensure they're secure. Also, check for cracks around air conditioning vents and along window seals.

Buy unblemished produce

When buying produce, look for fruits and vegetables free of cuts and knicks. Fruit flies may lay eggs in cut or split skin, and then those eggs will hatch when you bring them home.