Fruit flies – these small critters can get really annoying. They love to chill around your kitchen, eating ripe fruits, veggies, and sometimes, your trash. The problem is, these tiny pests are not just irritating but may also affect your health.
Spoiling fruits and veggies invite fruit flies, offering them the ideal spot to breed. They love the yeast present in fruit sugars. As fruits ripen or begin to decay, the sugar in them starts to ferment. Also, fruit fly eggs might find a way into your house through your groceries, especially bananas.
Fruit flies will breed anywhere there is damp, decaying organic matter. This includes in sink drains (dark, slightly larger pests specific to drains are known as drain or moth flies), garbage pails and compost buckets, tile grout, and even washcloths.
The only way to get rid of all the fruit flies in your house is to follow a step-by-step process;
Begin with checking all your fruits and veggies for infestations, spoilage, or damage. Toss out any bad items and store the rest correctly. Washing and drying your fruits and veggies as soon as you get them helps get rid of any hidden eggs or baby bugs. Check all the fruits and vegetables to see if they are rotting, decaying, or too ripe. To prevent female fruit flies from laying their eggs on these surfaces, dispose of any problematic veggies and fruits.
Make sure food waste is not stuck in your trash and recycling bins and that they are emptied regularly. Clean and dry them from time to time. Always use liners in your garbage cans to stop fruit or veggie bits from gathering at the bottom.
Set a cleaning schedule, and make your home uninviting to fruit flies. Include regular vacuuming, sweeping, mopping, and wiping surfaces. Don’t leave out areas under appliances or furniture.
Wipe your countertops frequently with a multi-purpose cleaner. This stops fruit flies from settling. So any spills or crumbs, clean them up right away, especially if they are sweet or sticky.