How to get rid of fruit flies and prevent them coming in the first place

It’s better to prevent fruit flies from getting into the home in the first place, rather than having to deal with them once they’re in. Photo / Getty Images

How to stop the unwanted visitors from taking over your kitchen.

They might be small, but according to research by Bruno van Swinderen, a professor at the University of Queensland, fruit flies have selective attention. This means they choose which visual stimuli to pay attention to, and thus that they have the potential for consciousness, which means they could feel pain. To be honest, when I rummage in my fruit bowl for a lemon and disturb a flurry of the little blighters, whether or not they feel pain isn’t the first thing I think of.

But, as with most pests, it’s better to prevent fruit flies from getting into the home in the first place, rather than having to deal with them once they’re in – particularly as they can carry germs from one surface to another. Here’s how to stave off an invasion, and how to get rid of them if they’re already there.

Use natural scents

Fruit flies, just like us, prefer some scents over others, and they hate some scents so much a mere whiff can stop them from coming near. Nick Barker, founder of natural insect repellent company Theye, says, “scents, such as citronella, eucalyptus, peppermint, lemongrass and lavender are natural fruit-fly deterrents. Use them in a diffuser or mix a few drops with water in a spray bottle to spritz around doorways and windows”.

I always prefer to use natural remedies where I can, so I like the sound of this. It’s cheaper than using chemicals and safer. But you can also keep fruit flies from getting near your home in the first place. “Planting basil, mint, or rosemary near open windows or doors not only smells great,” says Nick, “but it deters fruit flies who dislike these strong scents”.

Seal entry points

It’s more difficult to stop flies from getting into the home in summer, when our windows and doors are open, but for most of the year, fruit flies find their way in through small gaps.

“Fruit flies can sneak into your home through the tiniest of cracks in your walls,” says pest control expert Jonathan Nicholls, from HomeHow.co.uk. “Ensure that your windows and doors are in good condition, and consider installing draught excluders. Regularly check and seal any gaps that could allow these small invaders access to your home.”

Keep drains clean

As disgusting as it is to think about, understanding the life cycle of the fruit fly can help us to keep on top of keeping them out of our homes. The female flies lay hundreds of eggs on the surface of fruit and other food debris that attracts them, and in our drains where bits of food collect. These eggs hatch into larvae within just a day. Gross. To deal with this, advises Girvan, “Clean your drains with a mixture of vinegar and baking soda to eliminate any buildup of food and deter fruit flies from breeding there. If you don’t have baking soda or vinegar, boiling water could work just as well.”

Keep surfaces clean and sanitised

It’s easier said than done when you’re preparing food, especially in the summer, but keeping surfaces clean and sanitised will help prevent fruit flies and any other unwanted insects from congregating in your kitchen. Insects are attracted to food remnants, however small they are.

“Start by removing any overripe fruits or vegetables that have started to ferment, and dispose of them properly,” says Jonathan. “Wipe down surfaces, especially places where sticky residues from food and drinks may accumulate, such as countertops, tables, and the interiors of your cupboards. Lastly, don’t forget to regularly deep-clean your sink, as food particles can often hide there, providing a perfect breeding ground for fruit flies.”

Store fruit and vegetables properly

As their name suggests, fruit flies love fruit. But so do we, and most of us like to keep a bowl of fruit handy for grazing on, somewhere in the kitchen or dining room. But if we want to keep fruit flies out, this might have to change.

“Fruit flies are attracted to the ripeness of fruit and vegetables and the smell of fermentation,” says John Girvan from Alliance Online Ireland, which supplies insect control devices. “Sealing and refrigerating food and keeping it in an airtight container will help to keep fruit flies away.”

Set a trap

Prevention is definitely better than the cure, but if you have a fruit-fly infestation in your house, you’re going to want to get rid of them. As much as I hate killing living creatures, I can’t deal with the critters living in my kitchen and laying their eggs where I prepare food.

“The most used, and arguably the most successful fruit-fly prevention tactics are traps,” says Girvan. “Traps are easy to set up, as you will likely already have all the ingredients at home. For a trap, fill a small bowl or jar with apple cider vinegar and a few drops of washing-up liquid. Cover the container with plastic wrap and poke some small holes to entice the flies. This works with red wine too.”