Fruit flies might be harmless, but that doesn’t make them any less annoying when they show up in your kitchen. These tiny pests seem to appear out of nowhere once the weather warms, especially in June and July, and they’re quick to swarm anything sweet or damp. A forgotten soda can, a half-empty glass of wine, or even a ripe banana on the counter is all it takes to draw them in.
To better understand what causes fruit fly infestations and how to stop them, we spoke with Jody Green, an entomologist at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She broke down the main reasons they invade homes and the best ways to prevent them from sticking around.
Below, you’ll find her expert advice on how to block fruit flies before they take hold and the simple steps you can use to get rid of them if they’ve already moved in.
Don’t miss any of CNET’s unbiased tech content and lab-based reviews. Add us as a preferred Google source on Chrome.
What’s the cause of fruit fly infestations?
The common name that entomologists give fruit flies is “vinegar flies.” That’s because they’re naturally attracted to fermented liquid, and when fruit rots, it also ferments.
But fruit flies don’t thrive only on rotten fruit or vinegar. They also love sugary substances like soda, wine and beer, and you can find them in the bottom of your trash bin or any wet place with a substantial food source.
“Substantial food source” may mean something different to you than to the small but mighty fruit fly, Green said. “It may not be the food you are wanting to eat, but fruit flies are so tiny it only takes a tiny microhabitat” — like the residual soda in a can in your recycling bin or leftover bits and crumbs in a takeout container in your garbage, Green explained. Those are prime spots for fruit flies to breed. Once the weather warms, it takes less time for fruit fly eggs to turn into babies.
Read more: Keep Bugs Out of Your Kitchen With These Common Houseplants
How to prevent fruit fly infestation
Cleaning is the key to preventing fruit flies from taking over your kitchen. Keeping your place as dry and free of food as possible prevents pests from continuing their life cycle.
Throw away garbage and take out recycling frequently. Clean out the bottom of bins when liquid accumulates, wipe down counters after you’re finished cooking, and keep your sink and garbage disposal free of old food, empty of dishes and as dry as possible.
Read more: This Magic Kitchen Bin Turns Chicken Bones and Food Scraps Into Dirt Overnight
Storing fruits and vegetables in the fridge instead of on the counter will also make it harder for the fruit flies to find them. And since they’re attracted to rotting fruit, you should carefully pick your produce at the store to make sure you aren’t bringing any rotten or bruised pieces home, Green said.
It’s especially important to store foods that ferment quickly. Fruit flies thrive on the rot produced by cabbages, strawberries, bananas and other fruits and vegetables that can often break down before you notice them aging out of edibility. Sugary substances should also be stowed away, cups should be lidded or washed out and trash bags should be regularly switched out to prevent fruit fly infestations.
She also added that you should recycle or compost cardboard boxes that hold produce as soon as possible because fruit flies could be breeding in them. Any place that catches water or is moist, like a wet kitchen rag or the rug beside the sink, could become a breeding ground for fruit flies.
Try vinegar and dish soap to slow down an infestation
Apart from consulting our experts, we also did some digging on the r/CleaningTips subreddit to see what other people experience. Some users found their issue wasn’t fruit flies but fungus gnats. It’s worth confirming the infestation by identifying the insect. Many users also noted that an ACV and dish soap trap caught a lot of the flies and helped fight their infestations.
To make a vinegar and soap fruit fly trap, put a few ounces of apple cider vinegar mixed with a few drops of dish soap in a small dish and cover with plastic wrap. Poke holes in the wrap so the fruit flies can get in but not out and place the trap near your fruit fly infestation.
What do fruit flies look like?
Fruit flies are about an eighth of an inch long, have red eyes (though some species have darker eyes) and are light brown with dark rings around their abdomen. They also have two wings (many insects have four).
For more home tips, here are the best air purifiers for clean air and the best cordless vacuums.
25 Things Taking Up Space in Your Kitchen to Throw Out Now
See all photos
Fruit fly FAQs
Can I get fruit flies without leaving out fruit?
Yes, you can get fruit flies even if you don’t leave fruits and vegetables outside of the fridge. Though fruit flies are attracted to fermented fruits and vegetables, they also love sugary substances. The flies will similarly swarm wine, beer, soda and other sugary liquids if you leave cups of them around the house.
How clean do I need to be to avoid a fruit fly infestation?
Fruit flies are able to subsist off very small amounts of food or drink — the scraps of a takeout box or the soda left at the bottom of a can, for instance. You’ll want to make sure you wash out any container before placing it in the trash can or recycling bin, especially in warmer months when fruit flies are breeding at a rapid pace.
Can fruit flies make you sick?
Although fruit flies don’t carry any diseases, they do carry bacteria on their bodies that are transmitted to the produce they touch. This can be transmitted to people if they eat food touched by fruit flies. The best way to stay safe is to throw out food touched by the flies to dispose of any potential bacteria. If you feel you’ve eaten fruit that may have been affected by a fruit fly, you should reach out to your doctor.
Read the full article here