Fruit flies are a common summer nuisance, especially when they invade your favorite fruits or other foods. The good news is that you can easily get rid of these tiny pests with some simple home remedies.
Here are some easy tricks to trap and kill fruit flies without using commercial pesticides. With items you already have at home, you can make DIY traps to get rid of fruit flies without spending any money.
These little insects tend to infest open and rotten foods. Although they’re harmless and don’t spread disease, they make your food look unappetizing. Fruit flies can also breed in damp areas like clothing, garbage drains, and spilled juice on the floor.
While fruit flies can be present year-round, they’re most common in the summer. Despite their short two-week lifespan, they can live a bit longer if they find favorable conditions. Each fruit fly can lay around 500 eggs near the surface of ripening fruits. Within 30 hours, the larvae start feeding, and after a week, they’re ready to fly.
To protect your home from these pesky bugs, you can use homemade traps with easily available ingredients that are both safe and effective.
**Tips and Tricks to Get Rid of Fruit Flies at Home**
1. **Sticky Trap for Fruit Flies**:
– Use sticky traps in heavily infested areas like the kitchen or bathroom. These traps will catch the flies on their sticky surface, preventing escape and also helping with other pests.
2. **Stale Wine Trap**:
– Pour some stale wine into a container and place it where fruit flies are common. They will be attracted to the scent and get trapped. Adding dish soap can make the trap more effective by making the liquid sticky.
3. **Apple Cider Vinegar Trap**:
– Mix 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon of sugar, a few drops of dish soap, and half a cup of warm water in a container. Place it in areas with fruit flies. They are attracted to the vinegar scent but get trapped by the soap.
4. **Soda Bottle Trap**:
– Use an empty soda bottle with some soda left in it. Make a hole in the bottle’s lid and place it in the affected area. The flies will be attracted to the scent and get trapped inside.
5. **Rotten Fruits Trap**:
– Place some rotten fruits in a container covered with plastic wrap. Poke small holes in the wrap so the flies can enter but can’t escape.
6. **Yeast Trap**:
– Mix warm water, a teaspoon of sugar, and a bit of active dry yeast in a glass. Cover with plastic wrap and poke holes. Place the trap where fruit flies are prevalent; the yeast attracts and traps them.
7. **Essential Oils**:
– Create a spray with 10 drops of essential oils like lavender or lemongrass mixed with 2 ounces of hot water. Spray it in infested areas to repel fruit flies.
8. **Blow Dryer**:
– Use a blow dryer to blow air directly on the flies. The suction from the dryer and the heat can quickly kill them.
**Preventative Measures**
1. **Remove Breeding Grounds**:
– Clean all moist areas where fruit flies might breed.
2. **Avoid Leaving Ripe Fruits Out**:
– Keep ripe fruits in paper bags or the refrigerator to slow down fermentation and prevent attracting fruit flies.
3. **Check for Rotten Food**:
– Discard rotten vegetables and fruits immediately to reduce breeding grounds.
4. **Manage Damp Clothes**:
– Avoid leaving damp clothes around. Dry them in sunlight and wash them regularly to prevent breeding.
5. **Clean Drains**:
– Clean kitchen sink drains often with vinegar or ice to prevent breeding zones.
6. **Wash Dishes Promptly**:
– Clean dishes right away to avoid leaving leftover food and water that can attract fruit flies.
By following these tips and preventative measures, you can keep your home free from pesky fruit flies.