How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies

Who doesn’t love some fresh seasonal fruit? These flies sure do. It’s right in their name, after all. While they can find their way into your home at any time, summer and fall are prime times for fruit flies to flourish. We’ll show you how to get rid of fruit flies with some simple homemade traps, natural pest-control solutions, and the best store-bought traps to clear out your kitchen.

What are Fruit Flies?

Fruit flies are some of the most common pests you’re likely to find in your kitchen. They look similar to houseflies, only much smaller—no more than 1/8 of an inch long when they’re mature.

They can usually be found hovering around your fruit bowl, trash can, or garbage disposal, as they like to lay their eggs on rotten produce. They’re especially attracted to the smell of ripe or rotten fruits and veggies, but you may find them favoring empty bottles and food containers as well.

Fruit Flies vs. Drain Flies vs. Fungus Gnats

Drain flies are about the same size as fruit flies, but as the name suggests, they’d prefer to hang out in your pipes and drains. They are a little more moth-like in appearance as well, with a fuzzy body and more prominent wings.

If you notice some small insects floating around your plants, it’s more likely you’re dealing with fungus gnats. These little guys like to lay their eggs in moist soil and can wreak havoc on the roots of your houseplants once they mature. Fungus gnats have longer legs and resemble tiny mosquitos rather than flies.

Odds are the tiny insects hanging around your kitchen are fruit flies. If you’re ready to kick them out, we’ll show you how to get rid of fruit gnats with some quick, practical tricks.

3 DIY Fruit Fly Traps

Since fruit flies are attracted to the foods in your house, why not use it to your advantage? Here are some creative fly traps you can make yourself with some simple ingredients.

1. Apple Cider Vinegar Fruit Fly Trap

You will need:

• Apple cider vinegar
• Clear cup or jar with a narrow opening
• Paper or cardstock
• Tape
• Scissors 

How to do it:

1. Pour the vinegar into your container. No need to fill it to the brim, but there should be enough to adequately attract flies. Beer or wine will also work.
2. Wrap your paper into a funnel shape. The narrow end should have a very small hole. If necessary, trim the tip with scissors and secure it with tape.
3. Place the funnel on your container. The wide end should open upwards and be large enough to cover the opening. Leave some space between the funnel’s point and the vinegar so the flies can get in.
4. Set your trap. Place it wherever you see the flies hanging around, such as next to the fruit bowl, sink, or garbage can.
5. Say goodbye. Over time, watch the cup fill up with flies as they crawl into the funnel but can’t find their way back out. You can leave it until all the flies are dead and dump it out, or release them outside. 

2. Dish Soap & Vinegar Fruit Fly Trap

You will need:

• Apple cider vinegar
• Dish soap
• Clear container

How to do it:

1. Pour the vinegar into your container. Aim for about a half inch of liquid in the bottom.
2. Add dish soap. Put a drop or two of dish soap directly into the vinegar.
3. Place it where the flies can find it. Leave the container uncovered so the flies can get in. 
4. Down the drain. Because dish soap breaks the surface tension of the vinegar, the flies will sink right in when they land on the liquid. When you’re done with the trap, you can dump or flush the contents and repeat the process as needed.

3. Rotting Fruit Trap

You will need:

• Overripe fruit
• Bowl
• Plastic wrap
• Toothpick
• Rubber band

How to do it:

1. Place chopped fruit in the bowl. Past-their-prime bananas are perfect for this. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap.
2. Secure it with a rubber band. Make sure the plastic wrap is tight over the top, and poke some holes for the flies to enter.
3. Refresh as needed. Check every day or so to see if the flies are taking the bait. You can leave it covered until the flies die inside or open it outside, where they can fly away.

Best Store-Bought Fruit Fly Traps

If DIY traps aren’t doing the trick, it might be time to switch tactics. Take a look at some of the best fruit fly traps on the market.

1. Best Light Trap: Zevo Flying Insect Trap

This sticky trap emits a continuous blue glow that attracts fruit flies, gnats, and houseflies. Plug it into a wall outlet near the source of the flies and enjoy an odorless, low-profile solution for your insect woes. Swap out the adhesive cartridge as often as needed to keep your home fruit fly-free.

2. Best Sticky Trap: Landisun Sticky Traps

These colorful sticky traps are non-toxic, odor-free, and made to catch insects of all kinds. They are waterproof and sunproof, so you can use them outdoors to control garden pests or stick them in your potted plants to keep fungus gnats at bay. They’re also free from pesticides or harmful chemicals.

3. Best Bait Trap: Terro Fruit Fly Traps

These discreet little traps can be tucked away behind fruit bowls, trash cans, or any other fly hot spots. Each trap goes to work immediately and lasts up to 45 days. They have a clear window on the side, so you can see that it’s working!

Other Ways to Get Rid of Fruit Flies Naturally

Here are some ways to manage flies without stocking your home with traps:

Essential Oils: Peppermint, basil, lavender, lemongrass, and eucalyptus oils will keep away the flies and make your home smell like a walk in the park. Use an oil diffuser or dilute with water and mist your home.  

Carnivorous Plants – Butterworts and Cape sundew plants are sticky insect-eaters that act as living glue traps for your home.

Drain Cleaning: Thoroughly clean your garbage disposal and sink to remove any waste or buildup that may be a prime breeding ground for drain and fruit flies.

Tips for Preventing Fruit Flies

What’s better than solving a problem? Preventing it from happening in the first place.

Wash all incoming produce. Get rid of any sneaky fruit fly eggs by giving your fruits and veggies a rinse or wiping them down with a damp cloth.

Store ripe fruit securely. Keep your fruit in the fridge or paper bags.

Wash dishes promptly. Avoid leaving tempting food scraps in the sink for flies to find.

Pitch overripe or rotten produce. Clear your kitchen of fruit that’s past its prime. Give it to your compost pile, or toss it before it becomes an issue.

Consider freezing your compost. If you have a kitchen compost container, consider keeping it in the freezer to hide any aromas that might attract pests.

Final Thoughts 

In a kitchen full of food, pests are bound to be a problem sooner or later. Luckily, with some simple cleaning habits, DIY tricks, and easy-to-use traps, you can clear out any unwanted house guests and get back to enjoying your fly-free home.

Featured image via Canva