Sign-in to Account
Call Us

(855) 948-5816

aptive-registered-logo-white

Find Service Area

How to Keep Fruit Flies Away from Your Home

Written by Aptive Environmental September 17, 2024

Have you ever reached for a ripe banana only to be greeted by a swarm of bugs?  Fruit flies can turn a delightful fruit bowl into an unpleasant sight. In this blog, you’ll learn some practical tips to prevent fruit flies from taking over your kitchen.

What Attracts Fruit Flies?

Fruit flies are attracted to the breakdown of sugars and yeasts that occur on overripe or fermenting produce. This includes:

  • Ripening fruits: Bananas, apples, pears, and stone fruits like peaches and plums are prime targets.
  • Leftover vegetables: Slightly past-their-prime onions, potatoes, or even forgotten mushrooms can attract fruit flies.
  • Spoiled drinks: A forgotten glass of wine or a neglected juice box can be a feast for fruit flies.

Other attractants include:

  • Dirty dishes: There are often leftover food particles on plates or utensils.
  • Clogged drains: The build-up of organic matter in your sink drain can create a breeding ground.

3 Fruit Fly Pest Control Strategies

Now that you know what attracts these tiny pests, here’s how to fortify your kitchen and prevent fruit flies:

Store Your Fruit Properly

  • Refrigerate ripe fruits and vegetables: This slows down the ripening process and makes them less attractive to fruit flies.
  • Use airtight containers: Store leftover cut fruits and vegetables in sealed containers in the fridge.
  • Ripen strategically: Place fruit in a paper bag with a rolled-up top if you need fruit to ripen at room temperature. Check it daily and remove any that become overripe.

Clean Regularly

  • Wash fruits and vegetables before storing: This removes any hidden fruit fly eggs or hitchhiking adults.
  • Clean up spills promptly: Don’t let sugary drips or splatters become a breeding ground.
  • Empty your trash regularly: Take out the trash—especially the fruit and vegetable scraps—every day or two.
  • Maintain a clean sink drain: Pour a mixture of baking soda and vinegar down your drain to clear any clogs and lingering food debris.

Improve Ventilation

  • Increase airflow: Open windows and use exhaust fans over the stove while cooking to remove moisture and fruit fly attractants.

Extra Tips for Long-Term Fruit Fly Pest Control

For a comprehensive approach to prevent fruit flies, consider these additional measures:

  • Conduct regular inspections: Check your kitchen and surrounding areas for any overripe produce, forgotten leftovers, or potential attractants.
  • Compost correctly: Ensure your compost bin is sealed properly and stored away from the kitchen area.
  • Use sealed garbage bins: Opt for garbage bins with tight-fitting lids to prevent fruit flies from accessing waste.

When to Call a Professional?

While minor fruit fly issues can often be handled with DIY methods, there are certain situations where professional help is essential. Consider calling in experts if you experience one of more of the following:

  • Persistent infestation: If fruit flies keep coming back despite your efforts, it’s a sign that the underlying problem hasn’t been fully resolved.
  • Widespread infestation: When fruit flies are not just in your kitchen but have spread to multiple areas of your home, it’s time to seek professional assistance.
  • Difficulty identifying the source: Professionals can conduct thorough inspections to identify hidden sources if you can’t pinpoint where the fruit flies are coming from.
  • Health concerns: Fruit flies can contaminate food and surfaces, potentially leading to health issues. If you’re worried about contamination, professional treatment can provide peace of mind.
  • Need for long-term prevention: Professionals offer more than just a quick fix. They can implement long-term solutions to prevent future infestations.

Do You Need Professional Pest Control?

Professional pest control services, including control of flies and related pests, providing specialized solutions to manage and reduce infestations. These services provide tailored solutions based on the unique needs of your home. Here’s what you can expect:

  • Expert assessment: Trained professionals conduct inspections to determine the extent and sources of infestations.
  • Targeted treatments: Utilizing effective methods, they address pests with precision, aiming to minimize disruption to your household.
  • Preventative measures: Professionals also offer advice and treatments to help prevent future infestations.

Say Goodbye to Fruit Flies with Aptive’s Help

Are you tired of battling fruit flies in your kitchen? Let Aptive help you take back your space. Our team offers customized pest control plans to tackle and prevent fruit fly infestations. Enjoy your kitchen again without the nuisance of these unwanted guests. Contact us today to get started!

Curated articles for you, from our pest experts.

Close-Up Of A Black Ant On A Green Leaf With Water Droplets.

Pest Control: The Lifecycle of Pests

Pests are a nuisance to homeowners, and can cause a lot of damage to property, as well as health risks to humans and pets. To effectively control pests, it is important to understand their lifecycle and behavior. In this article, we will explore the lifecycle of...

Feb 17, 2023
Aptive Employee Standing In The Front Yard Talking To A Customer.

Best Time for Pest Control Services: When to Act

When it comes to pest control services, timing is everything. Imagine this: it's a beautiful summer evening, the grill is fired up, and friends are coming for a backyard barbecue. But as you open the back door, you're greeted by an unwelcome surprise—a parade of...

Sep 17, 2024
A Modern Kitchen Interior Showcasing A Sleek Black Sink With A Matte Black Faucet. The Kitchen Features A Wooden Countertop With Various Appliances Like A Microwave And Coffee Maker, And Is Decorated With Multiple Indoor Plants And A Small Fruit Bowl, Adding A Touch Of Nature And Color To The Space. Natural Light Streams In Through A Window, Illuminating The Area.

Tips for Preventing Pests in Your Home’s Plumbing System

Hearing strange scratching sounds coming from your walls can be unsettling. It might be mice, but it could also be sneaky pests living inside your plumbing system. While the idea might be alarming, these tips for plumbing pest prevention can help reduce the risk of...

Sep 16, 2024
A Close-Up Image Of A Six-Eyed Crab Spider (Family Thomisidae) With A Reddish-Orange Body, Capturing An Ant On A Green Leaf. The Spider'S Detailed Texture And The Fine Hairs On Its Legs Are Clearly Visible.

What is an Arachnid?

What do spiders, scorpions, and mites have in common? They belong to a larger group of animals called arachnids. While you've most likely seen a spider or two around your home, these fascinating creatures are incredibly diverse. Let's investigate what makes them...

Aug 30, 2024
A Modern Two-Story Suburban Home With Gray Siding And A Dark Roof, Illuminated By Warm Interior Lights During Sunset. The House Features A Large Three-Car Garage, Well-Manicured Lawn, And A Driveway With Reflections From Recent Rain. The Sky Is Tinged With Soft Hues Of Pink And Purple As The Day Transitions Into Evening.

Pest Control Tips for Your Garage: Keeping Rodents and Insects Out

The garage is a space designed for tools and vehicles, but it can also attract unwanted pests. These intruders can cause damage by chewing wires, nesting in stored items, and leaving unsanitary droppings behind. Garage pest control doesn't have to be a constant...

Aug 28, 2024
A Modern Kitchen With White Cabinets, A Gray Backsplash, And Stainless Steel Appliances. The Kitchen Features A Gas Stovetop With A Shiny Pot And A Bowl Of Lemons On The Marble Countertop. Brightly Colored Orange Cookware And Various Fresh Ingredients, Including Bread, Herbs, And Flowers, Add Vibrant Accents To The Space.

The Five Most Common Kitchen Pests: Identification and Prevention

Keeping your kitchen clear of pests is essential for maintaining a clean and healthy home. Kitchen pests can be more than just a nuisance; they can also contaminate your food and spread diseases. In this article, we'll cover the five most common pests, kitchen...

Aug 23, 2024
A Modern Kitchen Featuring White Cabinets, A Large Stainless Steel Refrigerator, A Marble Countertop Island With A Sink, And A Professional-Grade Stove With Red Knobs.

How to Prevent Bugs from Nesting in Your Gutters

You might not think about your gutters often, but pests certainly do. In fact, your gutters could be the perfect haven for various bugs. Without proper gutter bug prevention, these tiny invaders can cause significant damage to your home. Let's investigate why they...

Aug 1, 2024
An Elderly Man Wearing A Light Blue Shirt And Beige Pants Is Watering A Large Green Potted Plant In A Brightly Lit Hallway With Wooden Walls And Frosted Glass Windows.

Seasonal Pest Control: Preparing Your Home for Each Season

For many homeowners, the fight against unwanted pests feels like a constant battle. But did you know that adapting your strategies to the changing seasons can significantly improve your chances of winning this war? Enter: seasonal pest control.  Throughout the...

Jul 23, 2024
A Close-Up Image Of A Brown Mouse Perched On A Weathered Wooden Fence, With A Blurred Natural Background And Some Green Leaves Visible.

The Importance of Regular Pest Inspections for Home Maintenance

Owning a home is a source of pride, but it also comes with the responsibility of ongoing maintenance. While tasks like fixing a leaky faucet might come to mind, don't overlook the crucial role of regular pest inspections offered by professional pest control...

Jul 23, 2024

Take back your home with pest control today.