How To Control Fruit Flies

Not only are fruit flies a disgusting sight when they hover over fruits and vegetables, they are also a health risk. Fruit flies contribute to the rapid decay of foodstuffs in a most unhygienic way–they eat the food and lay eggs in it too. Getting rid of them is not easy and requires effective interventions, some of which are highlighted below.

Don’t Provide a Food Source

Since fruit flies will always be attracted to food the first step in controlling them is to deny them access to food. Dispose of all manner of foods before they go bad or get overripe. Cooked foods should be covered and stored in appropriate containers. In the case of stored foods you should always use air-tight containers.

The Use Of Simple Fruit Fly Traps

It is quite easy to make a simple fruit fly trap for use in the house. Simply find a bottle with a narrow neck and place a piece of fruit at its bottom. Next, roll a sheet of paper to make a funnel and secure this with tape so that it doesn’t unfold. The funnel should have a slight opening at its narrow bottom. Invert the funnel into the bottle’s neck and ensure that there is no space between it and the bottle’s walls. The fruit flies will fly down the opening to the fruit but they won’t be able to fly out.

Using Professional Fly Traps

Killing fruit flies is easy with the use of professional fly traps. These traps have ultraviolet bulbs that singe all types of flying insects after attracting them with pheromones. With such equipment you will rarely need to use pesticides.

Ensure That Your Kitchen Is Fly-Proof

In cleaning your kitchen ensure that there is virtually no grime or any food particles left behind. Check the normal suspect areas, including under refrigerators and cabinets as well as burners, for food particles and any spills that may attract the fruit flies. Your kitchen should not have any stagnant liquids or damp/wet fabrics and materials. Trash should always be regularly disposed off and the bins should have tightly fitting lids.

Use Aerosol Sprays

You can buy a reputable aerosol insecticide and spray around the house to kill the fruit flies. You should however ensure that all foods are properly covered before you do this.

Using Basil

Basil is a natural deterrent for fruit flies and can be used to control them. Place your bowl of fruits and vegetables next to a bowl containing some basil.

Cleaning with Ammonia and Chlorine

Kitchen sink drains accumulate lots of food particles which rot over time resulting in nasty smells that attract fruit flies. To clean your drain and get rid of the smell, prepare a mixture of chlorine bleach or household ammonia and water - an 1/8 cup of chemical should do for a gallon of water. Pour this into the drain and let it stand for an hour.

Using Vapor Rubs As Deterrents

Vapor rubs like Vick’s produce fumes that are repulsive to fruit flies. Smear some on the table and countertop surfaces upon which you have placed your fruits and vegetables.

Spray Some Alcohol

Alcohol can also be used as a deterrent for fruit flies albeit to a limited extent. You can pour some into a plastic sprayer and mist the air around your fruits and vegetables.

Combinations Of Liquid Soap and Apple Cider Vinegar

A mixture of apple cider vinegar and liquid soap in a bowl makes for an effective fruit fly trap. The vinegar attracts the flies which are then unable to fly out of the soap.

Sticky Paper

Fruit flies and house flies are easily trapped using sticky fly paper although the many stuck flies don’t make a pretty sight.

Bug Zappers

Virtually all flies are attracted to light and this is the principle by which the bug zapper will lure fruit flies to an instant death.