Fruit flies are the bane of summertime. One day your kitchen is a spot of sanctuary, and the subsequent it’s filled with pesky little flies that seemingly got here out of nowhere. Fruit flies are by no means one thing you want in your house. They’re lifespan is forty to 50 days, which is for a lot longer than anybody wants them around. To get rid of fruit flies for good, you want a lengthy run solution that begins with prevention. If your preventative measures don’t work, you’ll want smart tricks to make yours a fruit fly-free home. Take a glance at how to get rid of fruit flies with our 10 tips.
Where Do Fruit Flies Come From?
Fruit flies are drawn to fermenting fruits and greens and love high-fructose substances. Female fruit flies lay their eggs on the floor of overripe, decaying or rotting fruit and can lay as a lot as 500 eggs at one time. They can additionally lay their eggs in sink drains, rubbish disposals, empty bottles and cans, rubbish bags, and damp mops and sponges.
When the larvae hatch, they feed on the floor of the decaying fruit too. If that doesn’t make you want to want to banish fruit flies for good, I don’t know what will. Since the flies are so teeny, they can sneak into homes through home windows and door screens and you’ll typically discover them round unrefrigerated produce in your kitchen and rotting meals within the trash can.
Fruit flies can be actually hard to get rid of, so it’s crucial to take preventative steps to maintain the little pests out of your home. If it’s already too late, we’ve rounded up tips for how to get rid of fruit flies as soon as and for all.
How to Prevent Fruit Flies
1. Clean Down Your Surfaces
The first step to stopping fruit flies is to thoroughly wipe down all counter tops and keep drains freed from meals particles and residue. These spots are the ideal place for fruit flies to breed, so be certain to maintain them clean.
2. Store Away Problem Food
Don’t leave ripened fruit or greens like bananas, onions or tomatoes exposed- keep them within the fridge so the fruit flies can’t get to them. If you do keep any fruit or greens on the counter, they want to be washed and covered. Fruit flies additionally have a tendency to love alcohol and different sugary drinks so be certain to not keep issues like open bottles of wine or cider out on the counter.
3. Get Rid of Any Rotting Fruit
Check your fruits and greens for rot, decay or overripeness. Throw out any questionable items to prevent feminine fruit flies from laying their eggs on these surfaces.
4. Check Your Windows
Since fruit flies are tiny, it’s easy for them to enter your home, even through the smallest openings. Keep your home windows and doorways sealed tight and ensure your window screens are functioning properly. You ought to additionally seal any gaps across the windows, particularly ones round air conditioners.
5. Empty Trash Cans/Compost Bins Often
Empty your kitchen trash cans often, particularly in the event that they contain meals and drink items. This additionally goes for your compost bin as it’s filled with food.
How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies
1. Apple Cider Vinegar Fly Trap
A free and efficient homemade fly trap can be made by filling a bowl or glass with apple cider vinegar and covering it with plastic wrap. Seal the edges with a rubber band and poke tiny holes within the highest with a toothpick. The vinegar attracts the flies and as soon as they’re inside, they won’t be able to escape.
2. Dish Soap Trap
Fill a bowl with apple cider vinegar and add a few drops of dish soap, mixing well. You can leave it uncovered in your countertop because the cleaning soap cuts the floor tension of the vinegar so the flies will sink to the underside and drown.
3. Make an Alcohol Spray
Make a DIY alcohol spray by placing 91% isopropyl alcohol in a spray bottle. It will kill flies on contact and means you aren’t utilizing a harmful and poisonous pesticide spray.
4. Try Beer or Wine
Leave a bottle of old wine or beer out the place fruit flies have been hovering. They’ll be attracted to the smell and the narrow neck of the bottle will assist keep them trapped inside.
5. Use Rotten Fruit To Your Benefit
Rather than tossing out rotten or open food, put the meals in a disposable container. Cover the container with plastic wrap and poke holes within the wrap the place fruit flies congregate. The flies ought to swarm to the within of the trap, then you can dispose of them no matter way you like.
If fruit flies are giving you a headache this summer, try our tips for stopping and eliminating fruit flies as soon as and for all!
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