How To Get Rid of Fruit Flies In Home

1. Use Natural Fruit Fly Baits

Using natural fruit fly baits is an effective way to eliminate these pests. For this idea, create baits by placing ripe fruit or fruit scraps in a small container or jar.

Here comes the alternative step, place vinegar mixed with a few drops of dish soap can also serve as bait. As discussed earlier, you know where to position these baits.

2. Pour Boiling Water

Another simple and effective method of killing fruit flies is simply to pour boiling water right onto areas where the fruit flies have congregated. The hot water scalds the flies on sight to their death.

The boiling water method is best applied to eliminate drain infestations or sites of fruit fly gathering. This might need to be applied two to three times if the area mentioned is badly infested.

Be very cautious not to burn yourself, and use protective clothes if need be. Boiling water does not contain chemicals but beware of the possible damage that might spill over to other places, including surfaces.

3. Use Rotten Fruits

You can use rotten fruits to avoid fruit flies at home. The strategy here is to place the rotten fruits outside which will attract them in one place.

Simply, place the rotten fruit inside a plastic bag and poke holes in it. The fruit flies will gather inside the bag and you can dispose of them at once.

4. Use Soap and Water

Fruit flies can easily be controlled by using soap and water. Place a small bowl of water mixed with a few soapy drops in it. 

The soap removes the tension of the water so when the fruit flies touch the liquid they perish by drowning. Put the dish in locations where the tiny fruit flies are usually found.

5. Spray Essential Oils

Spraying or applying essential oils as repellent for fruit flies is another non-chemical control method. You can prepare a solution with water and several drops of oil like lemon, eucalyptus, and lavender, by putting them in a spray bottle.

It is recommended to spray areas where the fruit flies are most likely to breed such as kitchen top surfaces and nearby trash bins. It has a very strong smell that will discourage them from approaching.

6. Make Lemongrass Spray

Lemongrass spray is applied in the same manner as an essential oil. The formula used is similar to what we have discussed above in the essential oil section. As for the use of lemongrass oil, a few drops of it in a spray bottle with water should be enough.

Use this in kitchen areas, around bin areas, and especially on areas where fruit bowls are placed. Lemongrass has a fresh smell similar to citrus fruits and the smell can help to to act as a repellent to fruit flies even without the use of poison.

7. Place Diatomaceous Earth (DE)

You can spread a thin layer of food-grade diatomaceous earth on the floor where you find the fruit flies.

It is dust that has extremely small metal pieces that cut internal organs, which subsequently leads to dehydration and death of the fruit flies. Applying it again should be done every time after cleaning areas or in case the powder layer gets wet.

8. Use Cucumber Peels

Using cucumber peels is one of the organic ways that will keep the fruit flies at bay. Peel out all the lace from fresh cucumber and place it in places where these flies are creating problems.

The pungent smell of cucumber repels it and will therefore not hang around your house. Remember to change the cucumber peels daily for better results.

9. Use Boric Acid and Honey

Other natural ways include the use of boric acid and honey. All you have to do is combine equal parts boric acid and honey until you get a thick consistency and then put small portions of this mixture in tiny cups made from bottle caps or saucers and place them near areas where fruit flies frequently.

The smell of the honey attracts the fruit flies, and the boric acid is an effective insecticide that should help to eliminate them. Avoid these traps and keep them away from the children and your pets.

10. Apple Cider Vinegar Trap

The most effective way of getting rid of fruit flies is through an apple cider vinegar trap. To make this trap, take a small bowl and pour some apple cider vinegar into it. Now, cover the bowl with plastic wrap.

Before setting it, puncture small holes in the plastic to allow the flies to enter but not to get out. Set the trap you've prepared in places where fruit flies are commonly seen.

11. Red Wine Trap

The smell of red wine attracts fruit flies. It can be a homemade remedy for these pests.

Now, pour a little amount of red wine into it and mix it. Voila, the bowl is ready; now cover its top tightly with plastic wrap.

To entrap these tiny insects: make small holes in the plastic wrap as these holes should be just large enough for the flies to crawl through. Wine's smell will attract these flies and suffocate them inside.

12. Funnel Trap

For the preparation of the fruit fly trap - put the ripe fruit or scraps inside a jar; afterward cover the top of this vessel with plastic wrap, securing it with a rubber band.

The funnel must be constructed such that it permits the entry of flies but prevents their passage towards the outer part of the funnel.

The soapy water comes inside the funnel and drowns the flies inside it. You have to place the trap strategically near the hotspots of fruit flies and maintain this trap regularly for better results.

13. Milk, Sugar And Pepper Trap

Mix equal quantities of milk and sugar in a small bowl. Add to it a liberal amount of ground black pepper to make it a trap for the fruit flies. You can mix this mixture well enough that the ingredients are properly mixed.

Now, place this bowl in any area where the fruit flies are working, such as near baskets of fruit. The sweet smell of milk and sugar would attract the fruit flies, while the irritation caused by pepper would make them drown in it.

14. Cover Food Items

The formula for getting rid of fruit flies is covering food items. You just have to keep fruits and vegetables covered or stored in the refrigerator to reduce exposure to flies.

By doing this, flies do not get the aroma of fruits, and help maintain their freshness longer. For items left outside, such as bananas or apples, use mesh covers or fruit bowls with lids to deter the flies.

15. Empty Trash Cans Regularly

Even though you work hard to get rid of these pesky flies, without removing attractants they won't go away. Disposal of garbage regularly ensures the prevention of fruit flies from accessing organic waste.

Do not forget to clean the inside and outside of trash cans to remove any residue that might attract these flies. Why not consider using trash bags that seal tightly to further reduce odors that attract pests?

16. Clean Kitchen Countertops

Yes, you just heard it right. You have to wipe down kitchen countertops and surfaces to remove any spilled food or sticky residues that can attract fruit flies.

Do not forget to pay special attention to areas near sinks and appliances where food particles often accumulate. So what do you need to clean? Probably, use a mixture of vinegar and water for cleaning, as vinegar's acidity helps deter fruit flies.

17. Regularly Clean Drains

If you wonder where do fruit flies come from, they find many ways including drains. In every 2 days, start by flushing drains with a mixture of hot water and vinegar to remove organic residue that attracts flies.

Use a brush to scrub inside the drain and disposal unit thoroughly. Finish by running ice cubes through the disposal to clean and sharpen the blades. This routine maintenance reduces food sources and breeding grounds.

Fruit flies are primarily attracted to fruits and vegetables that are overripe, decaying, or rotting. The fermentation process of organic material releases an odor that attracts fruit flies from far distances.

They are also attracted to fermented drinks, such as beer and wine, sweet materials, and food waste in disposals and compost bins. Even minor spills of juices or sodas may attract the pest.

Also, more humid areas of your house, like sink drains, mop buckets, and dishwashers, are primary breeding sites for them. Knowing what fruit flies are attracted to is key to avoiding an invasion and repelling them.

If you have seen that fruit flies are thronging your kitchen in large numbers in spite of your efforts, then it is high time you called a professional.

These pests are known to reproduce very fast, and can within a short time cause so much havoc. Here are some signs it’s time to bring in an expert:

• Persistent Infestation: After people have tried using Do It Yourself methods on the traps and cleaning procedures.
• Breeding Areas You Can’t Find: Professionals can see areas that normal eyes cannot see like a drain or some cracks.
• Health Concerns: These flies transmit bacteria thus posing dangers to your meals and house.

The problem can be solved by a professional who will fix the issue before it gets more out of hand, giving one a chance to have a stress-free house that is free from these creatures.

Believe it or not, a professional fruit fly exterminator does not just spray chemicals, they do much more than that. Here’s what they can offer:

• Thorough Inspection: They will pinpoint all breeding grounds no matter how hidden they are such as; dry openings, drains, and garbage disposal among others in addition to the behind appliances.
• Targeted Treatment: With professional-grade products, they will get rid of both the adult fruit flies as well as their eggs, dealing with the problem thus in its warranted manner.
• Preventive Advice: They will advise you on measures to take so as to avoid future infestations such as appropriate methods of storing foods and washing utensils.
• Peace of Mind: As much as it is important to understand that the problem is in the hands of an expert, this affords one the opportunity to live in his/her house comfortably without a care in the world.

There are no specific fruit fly exterminators, the job is done by fly exterminators. Fly exterminator cost varies wildly, from $175 to $300, based on the size of your house and the heaviness of your infestation.

Smaller, more localized problems may be on the lower side of that number, but if the flies are in a number of different areas or have caused a lot of damage, the price will climb.

It is one of those investments that can pay for itself quite well by stopping the flies from progressing further and creating more damage.

The type of treatment can also determine the price. The more specialized treatments, like eco-friendly or organic treatments, increased the price. If follow-up visits are necessary to eradicate the problem completely, that would add to the cost as well.

• Some exterminators can give ongoing prevention services, which may range from $30 to $50 every month, and keep your home fruit fly free all through the years.

Although it may be somewhat expensive, the upfront cost really pays for itself in terms of time, frustration, and the headache of continuous recurrences when you hire a professional.