Nobody wants insects in the home, let alone flies in the kitchen. Their buzzing is annoying and they always tend to land on the piece of food you were just about to eat.
First off: what causes fruit flies?
Fruit flies only appear when sugar is present or food is turning. Want to know how to get rid of fruit flies in the house? If you want to remove the problem without any fuss, the simple fact remains that you have to remove the source of the issue. Again, fruit flies only appear when sugar or food is out in the open.
If you want to get rid of the flies, get rid of the food.
“Where there are humans, you'll find flies, and Buddhas.” - Kobayashi Issa
Set a Trap for Them
While removing the source is still the most effective means of controlling these pests, there are always instances of not knowing where the food is located. In these cases, a fruit flies trap can prove most beneficial.
Sometimes it’s as simple as an invisible sugar stain on your countertop that attracts the flies. While we can certainly list different traps that you can make (or buy) yourself, there are also a few pointers that you can keep in mind to make sure that the flies don’t easily occupy your home:
- Move garbage bins away from your home
- Clean immediately after eating
- Regularly take out the trash
- Keep doors closed
- Keep windows closed
Apple Cider Vinegar
An older method of ridding your home of house flies, the simple trick of putting apple cider vinegar out in a wide cup or bowl will both attract and drown the flies. When it comes to fruit flies vs gnats this method will attract both. This trick is great if you happen to own some apple cider vinegar but there are other methods.
Vinegar Dish Soap
This combo is sure to attract fruit flies, and then the soap kills them. Just like with the apple cider approach leave this in a bowl or cup to increase the effectiveness. It may seem cruel, but it’s better than having a fruit fly infestation.
Paper Cone Trap
This one works solely due to the flight patterns of flies. Unable to grasp the concept of a cone (or at the very least, fly out of one) fruit flies are attracted to whatever bait you put in the trap - in this case fruit - and become trapped once they try to exit the cone.
Milk, Sugar, and Pepper
This unique method of drowning flies stems from an old Farmer’s Almanac book. Basically you want to mix a pint of milk, 4 ounces of raw sugar, and 2 ounces ground pepper into a saucepan and let it simmer for 10 minutes. Pour the mixture into a shallow pan and it will take care of your pest problem.
Wine
While this typically works best for gnats, it’s equally effective against fruit flies. When it comes down to how to get rid of fruit flies fast this technique must have been discovered by accident.
Simply leaving a container of wine both attracts and kills fruit flies. It’s remarkable how easy and effective this trap works.
Housecleaning
One of the easiest ways to avoid flies in the first place is with regular maintenance. Consider hiring a cleaning crew once a month to ensure that your home remains spotless, safe, and sanitary. You can certainly do this yourself but it’s always nice to have help.
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Any pest control tips you’d like to share? Let us know in the comments below! Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook for more great tips and inspiration!
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