It’s That Time of the Year Again: Banish Fruit Flies with Ease!
Summer is here, bringing hot, humid weather and a craving for cool drinks and smoothies. Unfortunately, it also brings the inevitable fruit flies, eager to feast on your ripened fruits and vegetables. These pesky invaders breed in drains, garbage disposals, empty bottles and cans, trash containers, mops, and even cleaning rags. It’s crucial to act fast! An adult female fruit fly can lay up to 2,000 eggs on the surface of anything that’s moist and rotting. Plus, fruit flies can transfer germs from dirty surfaces to clean ones, spreading harmful bacteria like salmonella and E. Coli, which can cause food poisoning.
Here’s How to Easily and Effectively Get Rid of Fruit Flies Using an Apple Cider Vinegar Trap:
- Clean Up!
Locate the source of the attraction and eliminate it. Check all produce storage areas, including tomatoes and onions. In my case, bananas were the culprits. We consumed what we could and stored the rest in the fridge. Don’t forget to clean the basket or container they were in, as it can still attract flies. Dispose of trash and clean the garbage disposal thoroughly, as fruit flies love laying eggs in these areas. The goal is to remove all other food sources so the flies will be drawn to your trap bait. - Create the Trap:
Pour a small amount of apple cider vinegar (ACV) into two mason jars.
Fruit flies are particularly attracted to ACV, but you can also use leftover wine. Cover the jars with plastic, secure with a rubber band or a kid’s hair tie, and trim the plastic to size. Pierce small holes around the top to let the fruit flies in, but not out.
- Location, Location, Location!
Place the traps strategically. Since the flies were in my kitchen, I positioned one where the fruit basket was and another where the trash was. These spots were the most effective in attracting and catching the flies. - Patience!
Biological and ecological pest control works, but it requires patience. It took about 2-3 days to get rid of most of the fruit flies. One common complaint is that traps don’t seem to work after the first day. You might be tempted to buy a commercial product, but resist the urge for instant gratification. Be patient and revisit the previous steps to make any necessary adjustments.
Cheers! Do your happy dance!
In a few days, you’ll be free of those pesky flies—chemical-free and with minimal expense. Good luck!