Fruit flies are a scourge that invade kitchens across America nearly every summer. Fruit flies reproduce by laying up to 500 eggs at a time on ripe fruit or vegetables. It takes just eight days for them to mature into adults, and they can live for up to 25 days, making them very difficult to remove once they’re in your kitchen. There are ways, however, to control a fruit fly population and prevent your home from becoming theirs.
How do Fruit Flies Get Into my Home?
As with many insect infestations, prevention is the best cure. Fruit flies, unlike their larger cousins, are nearlyimpossible to keep out of the home with simple barriers like screens. They are evolutionarily designed to seek out the “odor plumes” of ripening fruits and vegetables and will squeeze through the minuscule cracks to enter your home in search of food and breeding grounds.
Traps
If you do find your home invaded, traps may provide relief from the clouds of flies that tend to congregate. The best fruit fly traps are the simplest. Pour a tablespoon or so of vinegar into a narrow-necked container, and add a few drops of dish liquid. The flies will be attracted to the vinegar. The soap breaks the surface tension of the liquid, causing the flies to drown.
Fly-Proof Your Home
In spite of their name, fruit flies don’t actually eat fruit. They eat the fungus that grows on ripening fruit. Avoid providing them a food source and breeding ground by keeping counters, drains, and trash and recycle containers meticulously clean. Never allow fruits or vegetables to get overripe or rot on the counters. Keep fruits and vegetables in the refrigerator if possible. By ensuring there are no breeding grounds or food sources, you can prevent fruit flies from invading your home. If fruit flies do become established, it may take a professional’s intervention to rid your home of these irritating pests.
