The summer months bring warmer weather – and unfortunately, often an influx of fruit flies. The heat accelarates the breeding cycle, meaning these pesky flies can quickly take over the kitchen.
Ripe fruit, as well as sugary sauces and vinegars, household waste, and even damp cleaning utensils that contain microscopic traces of food, will quickly attract fruit flies, whose eggs can hatch into larvae in as little as 24 hours.
While fruit flies are relatively harmless, they can be a real nuisance in the kitchen and present a hygiene risk, with the potential to transfer harmful bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella.
Time is of the essence when it comes to managing a fruit fly infestation, but the good news is that there's a simple trick to keep them at bay. And you probably already have everything you need in your kitchen cupboard.
Combining apple cider vinegar and washing-up liquid creates an easy DIY trap that lures fruit flies and prevents them from breeding.
Raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar containing 'the mother' (a cloudy complex of beneficial bacteria, proteins and enzymes that form during fermentation) is the best type to use, as its sediment has a stronger smell to attract flies — and you can find it in your local supermarket for as little as £3.
A female fruit fly can lay up to 500 eggs in their lifetime, which is only around one week, explaining why fruit flies seem to multiply so quickly.
It's important to deal with this issue as quickly as possible to prevent an infestation from getting out of hand.
A DIY trap for fruit flies
Banish pesky fruit flies from your kitchen with an effective DIY trap.
You will need: Apple cider vinegar, washing-up liquid, a small container and cling film.
- Find a small bowl, jar or container for your trap and make sure it's clean and free from dust.
- Pour in around 60ml (roughly 4 tablespoons) of vinegar and top with three or four drops of standard washing-up liquid. This breaks the liquid's surface and ensures the flies will sink once they land on the trap.
- Cover the top of the container with a rubber band and poke five to 10 tiny holes in the surface to ensure the flies can get into the trap.
- Replace the mixture every two to three days.
Other steps to take
Be sure to refresh your vinegar and dish soap mixture every two to three days to clear out the dead flies and keep the mixture smelling strong enough to attract any new flies.
If you have a large kitchen, you could try dotting a few bowls around the kitchen.
As well as laying traps around your space, here are some other steps you can take to keep fruit flies at bay:
Be vigilant about overripe or rotting produce: Fruit flies are like a magnet to produce that has started to ferment, so it's all the more reason to stay on top of your fruit bowl. Focus on keeping your kitchen as clean as possible, throwing away old fruit and veg, wiping down surfaces and regularly taking any rubbish out, particularly when the food bin is full.
Replace cleaning dishcloths and sponges regularly: Even microscopic pieces of fruit and veg on cleaning utensils can continue to attract fruit flies. Keeping on top of replacing these and washing them thoroughly after use with hot soapy water can help mitigate this.
Wipe down fruits with vinegar: Cleaning your fruit with a vinegar solution can help to deter pests. Simply mix a few splashes of apple cider vinegar with water and wipe the surface of the fruit — don't forget to rinse the fruit again before eating it or using it in cooking.
Put ripe fruits in the refrigerator: To deter fruit flies, keep fruit like bananas, berries, peaches, plums and pears in the fridge once they've ripened. As a bonus, this will also extend their lifespan.
