One of the joys of the warmer months is all that lovely seasonal fruit sitting in the bowl — melons, peaches, berries and more. But fill a fruit bowl in summer and it won’t be long before those pesky fruit flies show up too.
Fruit flies seem to appear out of nowhere, flitting around the kitchen and driving everyone mad. If you’re wondering how to get rid of fruit flies for good, these tried-and-tested tips will help — along with some simple ways to stop them coming back in the first place.
YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY: 11 Proven Tips to Store Food and Cut Down on Waste
Keep It Simple: How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies
#### #1. Make a Simple Fruit Fly Trap
Grab a shallow bowl or jar and add a cup of apple cider vinegar with a few drops of dishwashing liquid. The flies are drawn to the smell of the vinegar and land on the surface, but the dishwashing liquid breaks the surface tension so they can’t escape once they touch down. Pop your trap wherever you’ve spotted the flies.
#### #2. Use a Bottle of Leftover Wine or Beer
Just like vinegar, fruit flies are drawn to the smell of wine or beer. Leave an open bottle out with a little liquid left in the bottom — a few drops of washing up liquid helps too. The narrow neck keeps the flies trapped inside once they fly in.
#### #3. Use Some Rotten Fruit
Mash up a bit of overripe or rotten fruit in a jar and cover the top with plastic wrap. Poke a few small holes in the wrap — the flies will climb in but find it hard to get back out.
#### #4. Paper Cone Method
Add a splash of vinegar and a chunk of very ripe fruit to a jar. Roll a piece of paper into a cone and place it narrow-end down into the jar. The smell of the fruit lures the flies in, and the cone shape makes it tricky for them to find their way out again. You can recycle or compost the paper funnel afterwards.
#### #5. Try a Ready-Made Fruit Fly Trap
[[IMG:1]]
If you’d rather skip the DIY route, there are non-toxic, ready-made fruit fly traps available that are designed to be safe near food, kids and pets. They’re simple to set up — you just open them and place them near the problem area — and many last for several weeks once opened. Worth checking your local supermarket, hardware shop or online retailer for options.
#### #6. Make a Candle Trap
Set a candle in a deep dish of water with a few drops of washing up liquid added. Light the candle and turn off the kitchen lights. The flies will be drawn towards the flame and end up in the liquid instead.
Don’t Miss…
Feeling overwhelmed by toys around the house? We have 10 great hacks for parents to organise toys, helping you to simplify and organise the family chaos!
[[IMG:2]]
Tips for Preventing Fruit Flies
[[IMG:3]]
- Don’t leave ripe fruit sitting out on the counter for too long. Freeze overripe fruit for breakfast smoothies or throw it away.
- Keep fruit and veg in the fridge where possible.
- Wash fruit and veg as soon as you get home from shopping, to remove any potential eggs or larvae.
- Empty your rubbish and recycling bins regularly, and give them a scrub out now and then. Take compostable waste out often too.
- Clean up spills straight away, especially fruit juice or alcohol.
- Don’t leave damp tea towels or dishrags lying around after use — try to wash them daily, as they can become a breeding ground for fruit flies.
- Cleaning your kitchen sink drain with apple cider vinegar can help, as fruit flies like to breed where bits of rotting fruit and veg linger.
- Running a kitchen extractor fan, if you have one, may also help keep them away.
- A basil plant near the fruit bowl may help deter fruit flies, as they dislike strong smells. A sponge soaked in lavender oil, or cedar balls placed near the fruit, may have a similar effect.
- A few drops each of citronella, cedarwood and cinnamon in an oil diffuser can help repel fruit flies as well as ordinary house flies.
YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY: 11 Practical Tips for Keeping Fruit and Vegetables Fresh for Longer
Homemade All-Purpose Cleaning Spray to Keep Flies Away
This all-natural, homemade multi-purpose cleaning spray is a handy one to keep in the kitchen — and it helps keep flies at bay too.
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp baking soda
- 2 cups warm water
- 1 cup white distilled vinegar
- 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 5–10 drops lemon essential oil
Method:
1. In a non-metal bowl, stir the baking soda into the water until fully dissolved.
2. Add the vinegar and stir constantly for about a minute until the foaming settles. Add the remaining ingredients one by one.
3. Leave it to sit for a few minutes, then stir again. Once the fizzing has stopped, pour into a spray bottle.
4. Give it a gentle swirl before each use.
YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY: 11 Clever Cleaning Hacks Guaranteed to Make Your Household Sparkle
[[IMG:4]]
Frequently Asked Questions
What attracts fruit flies in the first place?
Fruit flies are drawn to the smell of ripe or fermenting fruit and veg, as well as sugary spills, drains and bins. Even a small piece of overripe fruit left out can be enough to attract them.
How quickly do fruit flies multiply?
Fruit flies breed very quickly once they find a food source, which is why a small problem can turn into a bigger one within days if it’s not tackled early.
Are fruit fly traps safe to use around children?
Simple vinegar-based traps are generally safe, as they use everyday kitchen ingredients. If you choose a ready-made or shop-bought product, check the packaging for guidance on use around children and pets.
Why do fruit flies keep coming back even after I’ve dealt with them?
It’s usually because their breeding source hasn’t been fully removed — this could be a bit of fruit tucked away, a dirty drain, or damp dishcloths. Prevention tips like the ones above help stop them returning.
Related Articles You Might Enjoy
- 11 Proven Tips to Store Food and Cut Down on Waste
- 11 Practical Tips for Keeping Fruit and Vegetables Fresh for Longer
- 10 Hacks for Parents for Organising Toys
- 11 Clever Cleaning Hacks Guaranteed to Make Your Household Sparkle
Save These Tips for Later
Fruit flies have a habit of showing up again just when you think you’ve sorted them. Bookmark this page or save it to your browser favourites so you’ve got these tips handy the next time they appear.
Want More Handy Family Tips?
Sign up for our newsletter for weekly ideas, hacks and inspiration to make family life that little bit easier — straight to your inbox.
