Fruit Flies: How to Get Rid of Them

Fruit flies are small, but they can quickly take over your kitchen. They seem to appear out of nowhere, hovering around ripe fruit, trash bins, or sink drains. Even one or two can turn into a swarm if not dealt with fast.

Here’s what you need to know—and how to get rid of them.

Quick Facts About Fruit Flies

• They're Tiny, usually about 1/8 inch long
• Brownish with red eyes
• Attracted to ripened fruit, vegetables, juice, alcohol, and anything sweet
• Can lay up to 500 eggs at once
• Their eggs hatch in less than 24 hours
• Often found near trash, compost, drains, and even empty bottles

Why You Should Get Rid of Them

Fruit flies are more than just annoying. Here’s why:

• They breed fast, so ignoring them makes it worse
• They carry germs from trash or dirty surfaces
• They can contaminate food
• They’re hard to ignore once they swarm

How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies

1. Remove What’s Attracting Them

• Throw out overripe fruit and rotting vegetables
• Clean crumbs and juice spills
• Rinse dishes instead of letting them sit in the sink
• Take out the trash often and wipe the bin

2. Make a Simple Fruit Fly Trap
You’ll need:

• A jar or small bowl
• Apple cider vinegar
• A few drops of dish soap

Pour the vinegar into the jar and add dish soap (this breaks the surface tension). Leave it uncovered. The flies get drawn in and can’t escape.

3. Cover or Store Fruit Properly

• Keep fruit in the fridge
• Use food covers on your countertop
• Rinse bananas and other produce when you bring them home

4. Clean Sink Drains
Fruit flies love to lay eggs in gunk inside drains.

• Pour boiling water down the drain
• Follow with a mix of baking soda and vinegar
• Scrub around the drain edges if needed

5. Check for Other Sources

• Empty recycling bins regularly
• Rinse bottles and cans
• Clean sponges, mops, and dishcloths often

Keep Them From Coming Back

Once they're gone, it’s about prevention:

• Clean regularly
• Store food properly
• Take out garbage before it smells
• Keep your kitchen dry and tidy

Fruit flies are fast breeders, but they’re not hard to beat if you act early. Just stay alert, clean up, and set a trap or two when needed.