Is there anything more annoying than fruit flies overtaking your kitchen? It’s hard to believe that these tiny creatures can lay up to 500 eggs in just one day! If you spot one of them in your apartment, definitely act quickly.
In this article, we will share with you some of the best ways to get rid of fruit flies. But first, let’s look at what we are dealing with. So, what are fruit flies?
Fruit flies shouldn’t be confused with gnats. Fruit flies are yellowish red-eyed insects and are harmless but can transfer dangerous bacteria from a soiled surface to a clean one. Drains and garbage cans, moist mops, and rags are ideal places for fruit flies to reside in and breed. Insects can also find a happy home in spilled juice under the refrigerator or a rotting potato at the bottom of a bin.
What Attracts Fruit Flies to an Apartment?
You will typically first notice fruit flies in a fruit bowl - hence the name! Bananas, melon, tomatoes, squash, and apples are their favorite fruits and vegetables. The flies detect the aroma of ripening fruit, especially if it is on the verge of getting overripe. However, these bothersome flies can even be found on fresh fruits and vegetables, so unfortunately they can infest your home no matter how clean it is!
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How to Prevent Fruit Flies?
Luckily, it’s not difficult to get rid of fruit flies - as we said earlier, the faster you react, the easier it is to quickly get rid of a fruit fly infestation. There are plenty of effective ways to deal with these pests. To prevent the spreading of fruit flies, don’t forget to clean the house from decaying food waste, and clean the sink, garbage disposal and garbage. Also, look into simple gnat and fruit fly traps:
- The most conventional approach for getting rid of fruit flies is to use apple cider vinegar as a trap. Simply pour roughly a cup of apple cider vinegar into a small cup. After that, wrap it in plastic wrap and secure it with an elastic band. After that, use a toothpick to poke tiny holes in the top. Now all you have to do is set it out to attract the flies! Fruit flies are attracted to the fragrance of apple cider vinegar, and once inside, they can't get out.
- A liquid soap trap is an effective and quick method to get rid of those unwelcome guests. Place a bowl with vinegar on a counter and add some dish soap, wrap the bowl in plastic, and then poke a small hole. The flies are drawn to the smell, but the dishwashing detergent lowers the surface tension, causing them to sink and drown once they land. You can also use honey instead of dish soap - the result will be the same.
- If you do not like the smell of vinegar or do not have any on hand, you can use wine or old beer instead. It will work as well! Follow the instructions above.
If you're dealing with a large number of fruit flies, try more than one of the above solutions.
If you decide to use an insect repellent or fog, keep in mind that these products contain harmful chemicals. Use bug spray with caution and don’t forget to read the label carefully. Keep children and animals at a safe distance.
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Though some DIY projects are easy to complete, for others, there are repairs that require professional skills and specific equipment. If you’re unsure whether or not you can handle a maintenance request in your rental property, find a service professional in your area by posting a bid request.
Please note that the option is available for maintenance requests in a “new” status only.
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