How to get rid of fruit flies
Fruit flies are abundant at this time of year, so it’s no wonder if you’ve spotted them hovering around your kitchen.
As the name suggests, fruit flies are attracted to fermenting fruit as a food source (they feed on the surface), but vegetable scraps can lure them in just as easily. That’s why indoor compost bins can make your kitchen a hotspot for these pests.
Fruit flies also thrive in a moist environment. Drains can provide a prolific breeding ground, and considering the rate fruit flies breed, one or two flies can multiply all too quickly.
No one wants to share their kitchen with fruit flies. Thankfully we’ve found an easy solution for this problem. Plus, we’ve listed the best ways to prevent fruit flies in the future, so you won’t have to deal with them again.
Get rid of fruit flies in 5 easy steps
Here's what you need to do:
1. Half-fill a pint glass with cider vinegar.
2. Squirt some washing up liquid on top.
3. Top the pint glass up with water.
4. Stir, to create bubbles on the surface of the liquid.
5. Leave the glass out on the countertop or windowsill in your kitchen, and wait for the imminent demise of your irritating house guests...
Why does this secret recipe work so well? The fruit flies are naturally attracted to the scent of apples from the cider vinegar. Because of this, they head straight for the liquid, but the bubbles formed on top of the pint glass means they are unable to fly back out.
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How to prevent fruit flies
Fruit flies adore the smell of ripened fruit and vegetables, in particular. Fruit flies can also be found around your drains and kitchen bins. That’s because they’re looking for somewhere suitable to lay eggs.
Considering this, the best way to prevent fruit flies is to keep a clean and tidy kitchen. Empty your bins regularly and unblock your sink to remove any potential breeding grounds. Make sure you keep on top of your fruit stock, using it up well before it begins to ferment, and cleaning the fruit bowl regularly.
Stone fruit, like mangos and nectarines, can go in the fridge as soon as they’re ripe to better preserve them. This protects them from any fruit flies, too. This is also a great way to make fruit and veg last longer.
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