Keep fruit flies out of your kitchen this spring with expert prevention tips and effective solutions from Minnesota’s trusted pest professionals.
They sound nice, but fruit flies are far from appealing bugs. They are annoying pests that seem to pop up out of nowhere in your home. You are batting them, seeing them in your wine, and shooing them away from your food. Understanding fruit flies helps you combat them for good. Here are a few of our favorite tips for avoiding fruit flies.
Why Do I Have Fruit Flies?
Contrary to what the name suggests, fruit doesn’t need to be present for you to see fruit flies in your home. There are many reasons why you have fruit flies, and the warmer months like spring and summer only make it worse. You have fruit flies because:
They’re attracted to fermenting organic matter. Fruit flies love overripe fruits, vegetables, spilled juice, wine, beer, and even residue inside garbage disposals or drains.
They can breed in drains and moist areas. Fruit flies lay eggs in damp, organic material — including sink drains, garbage disposals, mops, and sponges.
They hitchhike into your home. You might unknowingly bring them in through produce bags, cardboard boxes, or even on clothing.
Improper food storage. Leaving produce out on countertops, not sealing containers, or forgetting leftovers in the trash can attract and feed fruit flies.
Lack of sanitation. A few crumbs, spills, or old food particles in garbage bins or under appliances can be enough to support a fruit fly infestation.
Fruit flies are attracted to the smelly, rotting foods because they are an excellent source of food and a great place to breed. The sight of even one fruit fly points to a larger infestation.
How to Prevent Fruit Flies?
To prevent fruit flies, you need two things: cleaning supplies and a phone. You need to keep areas clean and drinks covered to prevent fruit flies, but that may not be enough if they are already present in your home. That is where the phone comes in handy. We have compiled a list of effective ways to prevent fruit flies in your home:
Here’s a list of effective ways to prevent fruit flies in your home:
Call the professionals. If fruit flies persist despite your efforts, it’s time to call in a pest control expert like Adam’s Pest Control for thorough and effective treatment.
Keep produce stored properly. Store fruits and vegetables in the refrigerator instead of on countertops where fruit flies can easily access them.
Clean up spills immediately. Even a few drops of juice, wine, or soda can attract fruit flies quickly.
Take out the trash regularly. Empty garbage and compost bins often—especially those with food scraps—and clean the bins to remove residue.
Keep drains clean. Use a drain cleaner or a mix of baking soda and vinegar to flush out organic buildup where flies may breed.
Rinse out recyclables. Fruit flies are drawn to sticky residue in bottles and cans. Rinse before placing them in recycling bins.
Cover food and drinks. Always use lids or covers for beverages, especially sweet ones, and don’t leave food sitting out.
Fix leaks and remove standing water. Moist environments help fruit flies breed, so keep your kitchen and bathroom dry.
Now, for the phone! If you see just one fruit fly, know it’s not alone. It is time to make a phone call to Adam’s Pest Control. The Adam’s Pest Control fruit fly service includes an inspection, bio-cleaning product, regular application, and traps. We even guarantee that your home will be free from fruit flies. All you have to do is contact the experts here at Adam’s Pest so we can tackle this year-round nuisance.
Image of a fruit fly
Photo Credits to the owner
