Fruit flies may be tiny, but they can quickly become a big nuisance in your home, especially around ripe fruits, drains, and garbage bins. These pests multiply rapidly and seem to appear out of nowhere.

If you are tired of swatting them away or embarrassed by unexpected guests seeing them in your kitchen, you are probably wondering what works fast.

Good news: there are several effective home remedies to get rid of fruit flies fast. In this article, we will show you home remedies to get rid of fruit flies fast using natural, budget-friendly solutions that actually work.

 

Why Do Fruit Flies Invade the Home?

These tiny pests may seem harmless, but their persistence can be incredibly frustrating. Despite your best cleaning efforts, fruit flies often reappear, drawn by things you might overlook.

Fruit flies thrive on overripe fruits, vegetables, decaying organic matter, and moisture, especially around drains and damp corners.

They multiply fast, going from egg to adult in just about a week, which is why infestations can seem to pop up overnight.

Below, we will explore why fruit flies invade your home and how to get rid of them for good, using safe, natural solutions.

• Ripe or Decaying Fruits and Vegetables

This is the primary attraction. Fruit flies love the sugars and yeast produced by rotting produce.

• Decaying Organic Matter

This includes anything from spilled juice to leftover food in the garbage disposal or trash can.

• Damp Environments

Fruit flies flourish in moist environments like drains, damp mops, and used cleaning rags.

• Other Sugary Substances

They can also be drawn to split alcoholic drinks like beer or wine, as well as sugary beverages.

• Breeding Grounds

The larvae feed on the decaying matter after hatching from eggs laid on or near these food sources. This quick breeding process can lead to a rapid infestation.

 

Read also: How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies Naturally Without Chemicals (Traps)

 

Best Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Fruit Flies Fast

Fruit flies may not pose a threat, but no one likes bugs near their food. Here are some helpful tips to prevent fruit flies from entering your house and home remedies to get rid of fruit flies fast if they show up in your kitchen:

• Maintain a Clean Kitchen

Leftover food or moisture on dishcloths, sponges, and mops can attract fruit flies, so rinse them thoroughly.

Also, do not overlook your sink drain and garbage disposal; food particles there lure fruit flies. Flushing with hot or soapy water can help eliminate them.

• Store Produce Right Away

Since fruits and vegetables are favorites for fruit flies, you can avoid an infestation by following these steps:

• 1. Storing your produce in the refrigerator helps prevent fruit fly eggs from hatching, as cooler temperatures below 75°F (24°C) slow their development.
  2. Be sure to wash and dry your fruits and vegetables thoroughly after bringing them home.
  3. For produce that does not need refrigeration, store it in sealed plastic bags or containers.
  4. You can also refrigerate it for 24 hours to kill any potential eggs before moving it back onto the kitchen counter.

• Freeze Your Peels

Store food scraps in plastic bags and refrigerate until you are ready to dispose of them if you do not have a garbage disposal.

• Be Smart About Trash, Recycling & Compost

Fruit flies and other pests are drawn to leftover food inside cans, bottles, and containers, as well as the residue that coats trash, compost, and recycling bins. To keep these pests at bay, follow these tips:

• 1. Rinse all empty food containers before disposing of them.
  2. Frequently wash your trash, compost, and recycling bins using warm, soapy water to keep them clean and fruit fly-free.
  3. Wipe down the bins between cleanings.
  4. To reduce the risk of fruit fly infestations, keep recycling bins in the garage or outside your home.

• Use Fruit Fly Traps

Fly traps are effective tools for capturing newly emerged adult fruit flies and helping prevent further infestation.

While a pyrethrum-based aerosol insecticide can kill adult flies if sprayed directly on them, it won’t eliminate any eggs or larvae hiding in your kitchen.

• • Make a Fly Trap with Vinegar

 

If you would prefer a DIY option instead of buying a fly trap, you can create an easy and effective homemade trap using common household items.

With an empty wine jar, an 8-by-10-inch piece of paper, tape, and some apple cider vinegar, your vinegar trap is ready. Here is how to do it:

1. Roll the piece of paper into a cone shape and secure it with tape, leaving a small opening at the narrow end.
2. Position the funnel inside a clean, empty wine bottle or jar.
3. Go in with 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in the container as bait.

Set up one or more of these traps on counters or in pantries where you often see fruit flies. The flies can easily enter the trap, but they cannot escape.

Once you have caught all the visible flies, you can either spray them to eliminate them or release them outside.

Constantly have fresh fruit baits in jar traps to keep them effective. Do you not have vinegar available? A piece of ripe banana works well as an alternative.

• • Try a Dish Soap Fly Trap

If previous attempts to catch fruit flies have not worked, consider using the dish soap and vinegar method. This easy DIY trap can be placed on your counter to capture fruit flies.

Just mix a few drops of dish soap with white vinegar in a bowl and leave it uncovered on the surface. The fruit flies will land and sink into the mixture.

• • Trap Fruit Flies With Wine or Beer

The scent of wine or stale beer is effective at attracting fruit flies. You can leave an old bottle of either (with some liquid inside) out to lure the flies.

Adding dish soap to the liquid can enhance your chances of trapping them.

• Natural Repellents like Essential Oils

Flies naturally avoid certain essential oils like lavender, peppermint, and eucalyptus, making them effective natural repellents.

Mix a few drops with water and spray them around your home. You can also plant herbs like basil, mint, or lavender near windows and doors. Sprinkling cayenne pepper at entry points can help keep them away, too.

 

Read also: How To Catch Fruit Flies: DIY Methods and Tools To Use

 

Why Home Remedies To Get Rid of Fruit Flies Fast are Better Than Chemical Ones

Many people prefer homemade methods for eliminating fruit flies over chemical pesticides because they are usually safer for both humans and pets, as well as being better for the environment.

Chemical pesticides can be risky if not handled correctly, leading to accidental ingestion or skin contact, especially in kitchen areas.

In contrast, natural solutions like vinegar traps provide an effective and less harmful way to deal with fruit flies. Here are some reasons why homemade remedies are a smart choice:

• Safety:

Homemade solutions, such as vinegar traps, are non-toxic and have little risk for people and pets.

• Eco-Friendliness:

They do not release harmful chemicals into the environment, unlike certain pesticides that can pollute soil and water.

• Effectiveness:

Many do-it-yourself approaches, like using apple cider vinegar with dish soap, work well to attract and capture fruit flies, stopping them from breeding and causing more problems.

• Cost-Effective:

Homemade remedies often use common items found around the house, making them an economical choice.

 

Home Remedies to Get Rid of Fruit Flies Fast (FAQs)

What Causes Fruit Flies in the House?

Fruit flies are attracted to fermenting fruits, vegetables, sugary drinks, and food scraps. They can also breed in sink drains, garbage disposals, and mop buckets.

What is the Fastest Home Remedy to Kill Fruit Flies?

The fastest remedy is a DIY vinegar and dish soap trap. Fruit flies are lured by the vinegar, and the dish soap traps and drowns them.

Can I Use Lemon or Essential Oils to Repel Fruit Flies?

Yes. Lemon juice, peppermint oil, and eucalyptus oil are natural repellents. Wipe down surfaces or diffuse oils near fly-prone areas to keep them away.

How Do I Prevent Fruit Flies from Coming Back?

Keep your kitchen clean, dispose of overripe fruits, empty garbage regularly, and cover food and drink. Also, clean drains and wipe counters daily.

Do Fruit Flies Bite Humans?

No, fruit flies do not bite. However, they can contaminate food and surfaces, posing a hygiene risk if left unchecked.

Are Fruit Fly Traps Safe to Use Around Pets?

Homemade traps using vinegar and soap are generally safe. Still, keep them out of reach of pets to prevent accidental ingestion.

How Long Does it Take to Get Rid of Fruit Flies Using Home Remedies?

With consistent effort, most home remedies can drastically reduce fruit fly numbers within 24 to 48 hours.

 

Read also: Discover the InVite Fruit Fly Traps & How To Use

 

Conclusion

Fruit flies might be small, but they can quickly turn into a major annoyance. Fortunately, with these natural home remedies to get rid of fruit flies fast, you can get rid of them without relying on harsh chemicals.

Whether you choose a DIY vinegar trap, thoroughly clean your kitchen, or take steps to prevent future infestations, these suggestions are simple, safe, and effective.

Ready to enjoy a home free of fruit flies? Try these home remedies to get rid of fruit flies fast today and take back your space naturally and permanently.

About The Author