Eliminate Fruit Flies From The Start With A Common Household Item You Already Have

If you keep fresh fruit and veggies at home, you've probably had to contend with fruit flies at one time or another. These pests are attracted to fresh produce and sugary substances, and they lay their eggs on decaying or overripe fruit like bananas and peaches. These tiny flies can lay thousands of eggs in a short amount of time, and before too long, these eggs can hatch and quickly create a maggot infestation in your home.

But fruit flies are more than just annoying — they pose a health hazard, too. According to research published in the Journal of Food Research in 2018, fruit flies can quickly transmit E. coli onto food. Obviously, the best course of action is to prevent fruit flies from taking up residence in your home in the first place. If you already have an infestation, though, there is a simple household item that's effective in getting rid of fruit flies. If you want your home vermin-free, try using rubbing alcohol to remove these pests and their eggs.

Here's what you can do if fruit flies have taken over your home. First, put on a pair of kitchen gloves, then take a spray bottle and fill it with 91% isopropyl alcohol. You can use this to spray any fruit flies that you see hovering around your kitchen, as well as any eggs they may have left — the alcohol will kill both the flies and their eggs on contact. Even rubbing alcohol's smell can repel these pests, so use it to clean off your countertops and spray down your drains. Just make sure you don't spray this substance around pets.

Besides using isopropyl alcohol, you can also make a DIY fruit fly trap to ensure that the flies don't return. To do so, grab a small jar, some apple cider vinegar, and some plastic wrap. Fill the jar ¼ of the way full with the vinegar. Add a couple drops of dish soap, then place the plastic wrap over the jar's opening. Poke a few holes in the plastic so fruit flies can get inside. Once they enter the jar to consume the apple cider vinegar, they'll become trapped and eventually die.

Thoroughly cleaning your kitchen and bathroom — two areas that fruit flies love — can help dissuade these pests from entering your home in the first place. Make sure you store all of your fruits and vegetables in the refrigerator and throw out any fruits that are overripe. Before you use any of your produce, rinse it thoroughly to eradicate any fruit fly eggs. Take out the trash quickly once it fills up, and wash out your kitchen trash bins regularly.

You should also remember to rinse out your recyclables before placing them in the bin. This can help remove food and drink debris that can attract fruit flies and other bugs. Disinfect your countertops and all kitchen surfaces frequently. Fruit flies are often attracted to dirty drains, so if you see fruit flies hovering above your kitchen or bathroom sink, clean the drains with a sanitizer and boiling water.