Unlike some other fly species, fruit flies seem to be very harmless. Their size and the fact that they can’t bite is a good cover. Frankly, most people get rid of them just because they are a nuisance. They seem to materialize out of thin air and beat you to the fruit bowl. But that is just considering their numbers, their association with rotten food exposes them to various bacteria and viruses. In return, they can spread them throughout your home. Additionally, they are extremely fertile and breed so fast by laying many eggs that eliminating them might seem impossible. Fruit flies fly and land on any surface in your home—including things that get into your mouth. Consequently, these places become a possible site for bacteria to breed, hence increasing your chances of infection. Therefore, it is important to know how to get rid of the little devils.
On the other hand, it is one thing to know how to kill fruit flies, yet what is more important is knowing how to prevent them in the first place. Honestly, fruit flies are not things you’d like spending your time dealing with. Save yourself the trouble by cleaning your counter to prevent them from turning into a snack bar for the pests. You should also cover up or store your fruits and food properly. Dealing with odor immediately by cleaning drains and garbage bin will play a big role in cutting the crap. Otherwise, if they have already infested your home, there are various ways you can eliminate them. But before that, it is worth mentioning that a lazy approach to their control will not help. Consistency is key in pest control. Here are clever ways you can use to totally eliminate fruit flies from your home.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is a great household product to have around the house. It works miracles in your home, including killing fruit flies. Simply take a bowl and pour some apple cider vinegar in it. Next, wrap the bowl tightly with a plastic cover. Using fork tines make holes on it, you want to make a way for them to come in and not get out. Therefore, do not make them too big. Then set the trap where the flies gather and when you come back, you’ll find some of them trapped. Apple cider vinegar is irresistible to fruit flies. Apparently, they love the smell of fermentation and the vinegar imitates that.
Use Traps
There are several traps you can easily make with things you already have at home. One of the traps is using a bottle with a funnel on top. You can use your kitchen funnel, or if the thought doesn’t sit well with you, roll out a piece of paper. If you don’t know how to make a funnel, you can easily check for tutorials. Fruit flies will have a hard time getting out of the bottle since it is half empty. You can either have vinegar or spoilt fruit that you already have in the bottle. Better still, if you are near the end of your balsamic vinegar you can use too. Balsamic vinegar can be expensive, therefore, just a bit of it would do.
Clean The Drain
If you’ve been wondering where fruit flies appear from, one of the places is your drain. They like congregating and breeding there. What better way to deal with them than destroying their breeding site? Not that it’s the only place but the war is won by half. However you can’t just go round it blindly, you need to be sure the eggs are destroyed. Therefore, boil a mixture of equal parts of vinegar and water. Then slowly pour the mixture down the drain ensuring it passes through the sides. Repeat the same process for a week to ensure you destroy them completely. Unlike what most people think, fruit flies have a longer lifespan. They can exist for over a week.
Dishwashing Soap and Vinegar
A mixture of vinegar and soap also gets the job done. Vinegar is what attracts them. Then the soap breaks the surface tension of the vinegar in which the flies might use to get out of the trap. Therefore, making them drown in the solution. If you lack vinegar for whatever reason, you can also use beer. When the soap dish is added, the flies won’t be able to detect it. Then place the trap where flies are dominant.
Use Wine
If you think you are the only one who loves wine, try forgetting your bottle open. Fruit flies love wine too. To be specific, red wine cuts the deal. It only gets better; you don’t have to add anything else to it. You will, of course, have to make a trap. The bottle funnel trap will work perfectly.
Spray Essential Oil
There are various natural essential oils that are offensive to fruit flies. They will not lead them to their death but will keep them away. Plus you will be killing two birds with one stone since some of these essential oils have a pleasant scent. Some of the essential oil to try is lavender, cinnamon, or lemongrass. Simply fill a spray bottle with hot water and around ten drops essential oil of your choice. Shake the bottle well and spray in areas infested by the pests. If the spray bottle doesn’t cut it for you, you can use a diffuser. Use it to waft the fragrance in your home and instantly drive away the flies.
Sugar, Milk, and Pepper
You can also get rid of the annoying flies by making a concoction of milk, sugar, and pepper. Simply combine some milk, with 2 ounces of ground pepper and 4 ounces of raw sugar, and then stir for a few minutes. Cover it with a plastic bag and punch some holes on it.
With these clever tips, you can take back control of your kitchen. Remember to be patient and consistent since it may take more than one try to eradicate them completely.
