We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate computer program . ascertain More ›

Fruit fly ball are tiny insects that flock to ripening and rotten fruits and veg , both as food source and places to put down eggs . Sometimes it seems like these petite pestis are everywhere , hovering around drivel disposals , sink drains , and fruit bowls , and that ’s largely because they procreate so quickly .

In fact , yield flies canlay around 500 eggs in one lifecycle , a life Hz that unremarkably lasts about a week , which is why it ’s easy for an infestation to rapidly take over your kitchen . If you ’re wondering how to get rid of fruit fly , the good news show is that there are a few effective ways you may take on the trouble of course , using items you probably already have at home .

Woman places a wine bottle trap near a basket of fruit on a kitchen countertop.

Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila

Why Do I Have a Fruit Fly Infestation?

yield flies are attracted primarily to ripen and rotting fruits and vegetables , so if you have a fruit bowl that you keep on the tabulator or you do n’t get rid of food for thought scraps speedily , these little plague are likely to make themselves at home . This is why it ’s a good mind to keep your trash pot and compostoutsideor in the garage , if possible .

Organic buildup in sinks and drains can also attract them , so clean any food out of these areas as soon as possible if you want to prevent a fruit fly infestation .

How to Kill Fruit Flies With DIY Traps

There are many common household items you could use to make a fruitfly trap . Try one or several of the following methods for how to get free of yield flies in the household for dependable andavoid using harmful pesticides .

Apple Cider Vinegar Trap

Apple cider vinegarSweet - reek beauty soap

yield flies are extremely attracted to apple cider acetum , so they ’ll vaporize right into thishomemade yield fly trap . And the soap you add will break the water system ’s surface tension , so alternatively of standing on top of it , the fruit flies will devolve justly into your trap .

Coffee Filter, Jar, and Rotten Fruit Trap

cone shape - shaped coffee filterRotten fruitGlass jar

Release your prisoner outdoors , repeating the procedure as often as needed .

Plastic Wrap, Bowl, and Vinegar Trap

ruddy wine-colored vinegarBowlPlastic wrapRotten fruit

Rubbing Alcohol Spray

scratch alcoholSpray bottle

Rubbing intoxicant wipe out yield flies more or less instantly , so if thing have gotten out of hand , fill a atomiser bottle with alcoholic drink and mastermind it toward any levitate fruit flies you encounter . Do n’t get any of the alcohol on your yield , though — it causes it to spoil .

Beer or Wine Trap

angelical - smelling dish soapOld beer or wine-coloured

How to Prevent Fruit Flies

You now bonk how to kill yield tent flap and eliminate them from your home , but how can you keep them out for good ? Here are a few simple ways to prevent future yield fly infestation .

Final Thoughts

Any one of the above methods can aid you get free of yield fly sheet with just a few minutes of prep metre . Once you lick your yield tent flap problem , learnhow to get rid of flies in the houseso you’re able to savour a plague - free dwelling .

FAQs

Fruit fly tend to stick around for as long as there are food source nearby , so like many pests , they ’re not probable to go off unless you altogether eliminate all of their food .

Bleach can potentially shoot down yield flies that it comes into direct contact with , but if you miss any of the fly or their larvae ( which you in all likelihood will , especially if they ’re abstruse in your drainage ) , then it wo n’t solve your yield tent flap problem . Pouring whitener down the waste pipe also is n’t good for the environment .

The skilful way to get free of fruit flies in your drainage is by remove all constituent matter and setting one of the said traps . you could also stream simmering water down the drainpipe or a half cupful of bake soda follow by a half loving cup of vinegar , then let it model for around 20 minute of arc . Both of these method will eliminate some existing fruit fly , but you should still pair them with a trap to get rid of all of them .

Fruit flies dead in an apple cider trap.

Photo: iStock

yield tent flap andgnatslook similar from afar , but fruit flies are often lighter in color than gnats . Fruit fly also tend to hang out near overripe food , while gnat are more attracted to weaken soil — you’ll find gnat near your houseplant more often than your food .

This Is the twelvemonth for a Kitchen Renovation

Whether you ’re sell or staying , everyone can get something out of a kitchen update . Learn why we consider this overhaul the Most Valuable Project of 2025 and how to stay on budget .

Woman drops apple slices into a mason jar, a plate of apple slices, a screwdriver, and coffee filters nearby.

Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila

Woman uses a screwdriver to poke plastic wrap on a measuring cup filled with vinegar.

Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila

Woman points spray bottle at a grey kitchen countertop, a bowl of fruit nearby.

Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila

Woman pours dish soap from a bottle into an empty wine bottle.

Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila

Woman throwing a dishtowel into a top-load washing machine.

Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila

Article image