3 min readFew things are less pleasant than finding insects taking over your kitchen. Fruit flies may not be as alarming as cockroaches or stink bugs, but they’re still a nuisance—and they’re a signal that you’re not cleaning as thoroughly as you should be.
Fruit flies often congregate in sticky, sweet, moist spots: around fresh produce, by the sink, or near the trash. With their persistent buzzing and quick breeding cycle, a few occasional flies can become a much larger problem if you don’t deal with them quickly.
Fortunately, fruit flies are pretty manageable. The first step is to find what they’re drawn to, whether it’s overripe fruit, food spills, or a trash can or compost bin that isn’t sealed properly. Once you’ve found the source, a few straightforward steps can help clear them out and keep the problem from spreading. Homemade traps and smarter food storage are among the practical ways to take back your kitchen.
For expert advice on getting rid of fruit flies, we spoke with Diana Ludwiczak, a certified home pest inspector in New York City. She explains how to deal with an infestation effectively and keep the flies from returning.
Additional copy by Melanie Yates.
What Causes Fruit Flies?
“Fruit flies are attracted to ripe and rotting fruits and vegetables, so it’s important to keep your kitchen clean and free of any food debris,” says Ludwiczak. “Wipe down counters, sweep or vacuum the floors regularly, and store fruits and vegetables in the refrigerator to reduce their exposure to the air.”
Fruit flies also like fermented items, including beer, liquor, and wine. They breed in dark, damp areas like sink drains, garbage disposals, trash cans, and mop buckets.
“Once they begin reproducing indoors, females are able to lay about 500 eggs, and the eggs will hatch in as little as 24–30 hours after being deposited by the female,” according to Orkin.
How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies
To get rid of fruit flies in your home, you can try this expert-recommended method.
“Fill a small jar or cup with apple cider vinegar and a few drops of dish soap, and then cover the container with plastic wrap tightly,” Ludwiczak suggests. Poke a few holes in the wrap and place the jar near the fruit fly infestation. “The fruit flies will be drawn to the smell and will become trapped in the jar. This is my number one tip, that I personally use every summer!” she adds.
Within a day, you should see many fruit fly carcasses floating in the liquid. You'll want to keep changing out the liquid each day until all the flies have been caught.
How to Prevent Fruit Flies
Getting rid of fruit flies is just the first step. Here's what Ludwiczak wants you to do to prevent them from coming back.
Wash Your Fruit
When you bring home fresh produce from the grocery store, wash it off before storing or displaying it.
“Fruit flies are also attracted to standing water, so it’s important to dry out sinks, showers, and other areas where water can accumulate. Make sure to fix any leaky pipes or areas of your home where water tends to accumulate,” says Ludwiczak.
Rinse Produce With Vinegar
According to Ludwiczak, rinsing produce with a vinegar solution may keep your produce fresher for longer—and this helps stave off a fruit fly infestation. To make it, Ludwiczak mixes around two parts water and one part vinegar and sprays it onto the produce. Make sure to give your fruits and veggies one more final rinse in water before you’re done, though, so the vinegar flavor and scent don’t stick around.
Put Screens in Your Windows
Screening in your windows is a good idea for preventing all kinds of critters from getting in, but they're also effective against fruit flies.
“Make sure to use screens on windows and doors to prevent fruit flies from entering your home,” Ludwiczak says. “This is especially important during the warmer months when windows and doors are more likely to be open.”
Clean Up After Yourself
Basic housekeeping is enough to keep fruit flies in check. Just make sure to keep your countertops clean, move overripe fruit to the fridge, take out your garbage regularly, and clean out your sink to prevent it from becoming a breeding ground for bugs.
