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There are various species you could be managing when it comes to fly activity on the indoor or outdoor sides of the home. But nothing drives people as crazy as fruit flies.
Something so irritating when these specks zip in front of you while you're binge-watching your favorite TV show, trying to enjoy a video game, or simply doing the chores.
At first glance, a creature as little as a fruit fly might not pose much trouble, but boy, does it ever! Especially when you find swarms inside or outside of your home. These filthy pests can cause a lot of issues around your home, your appliances, and your furniture. That's why it's essential to be familiar with these pests and resolve a fruit fly infestation once and for all.
What causes fruit fly infestations in the house?
The unhygienic factor is the root cause of any fruit fly issues and can be a serious health hazard. According to scientific research, fresh foods can become contaminated with infections like E. coli from insects.
It's normal to wonder what causes fruit flies and how. Any fruit fly infestation begins somewhere. Fruit flies thrive in filthy, rotten, and moist environments. Food sources in and around outdoor gardens, kitchen table tops, basements, and bathrooms around your property appeal to fruit flies. Uncovered fruits on the counter or any fermenting elements in mops, kitchen sinks, unwashed garden crops, or trash bins attract them.
A fruit fly infestation can become out of control quickly. Major concerns include but are not limited to their higher reproduction, warm temperatures, and consumption of almost everything.
Did you know, up to 500 eggs can be laid by a female fruit fly at a time, and they hatch in three days? So better not wait till problems escalate rapidly.
Health risks of fruit flies
Since fruit flies transfer bacteria that can cause illness, issues with these insects can be severe. They can carry germs from dirty surfaces onto clean ones, transmitting possibly hazardous germs they possess, such as E. coli, listeria, and salmonella.
A private jet or a yacht is not necessary for serious illnesses to move across the air or water. A little fruit fly, which is driven by moist environments, wetness, and rotting food, will transport you there for free.
If you're a hobbyist gardener, you can analyze your crops' reduced longevity in case you notice the presence of fruit flies in the garden area.
Fruit flies cause visible damage and limit the quantity and quality of fruit and vegetables unless you use effective fruit fly control methods.
Signs of fruit flies infestation
The crystal clear signal to spot a fruit fly infestation is to check from where these pests are flying indoors or on the outdoor sides of your home. Inspect their existence in the kitchen — sink, dinner tabletop, trash bags; bathroom, drains, garbage disposals; garden; cleaning rags and mops — mostly where their ideal moist environment can be found.
5 Simple Traps for Getting Rid of Fruit Flies
These easy fruit fly trap methods take only a few minutes to make and will give you relief from your unwanted insect guests in no time.
Apple Cider Vinegar and Dish Soap Trap
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Sweet juice or apple cider vinegar
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Plastic wrap
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Glass bowl or disposable container
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Toothpick or bamboo skewer
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Dish soap
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Fill a disposable container or small glass bowl with some sweet juice or apple cider vinegar and a piece of the fruit that the fruit flies are so in love with.
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Mix a few drops of dish soap in the liquid.
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Cover the opening with plastic wrap.
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Secure it with a rubber band.
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Poke a few holes in the plastic wrap with a toothpick or bamboo skewer.
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Remove all attractions from the area, such as the offending fruit, and place your trap bowl or container in its spot.
Mason Jar and a Paper Funnel Trap
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Mason jar
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Tape
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Fruit
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Thick paper to create a funnel
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Fill a mason jar halfway with fruit that attracts flies.
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Create a funnel out of a piece of paper and put it in a way that the small side sits well below without touching the bottom of the jar and the wider side at the jar opening.
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Tape it together to keep it in place, not letting fruit flies escape.
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Release the trapped fruit files safely outside, and repeat the process till you get rid of them thoroughly.
Leftover Wine or Beer Trap
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A bowl or disposable container
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Dish soap
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Leftover wine or beer
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Plastic wrap
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Toothpick
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Fill up the bowl or disposable container halfway with leftover wine or beer.
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Add a couple of drops of dish soap.
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Cover the plastic wrap with your bowl and tightly secure it with a rubber band.
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Use a toothpick to poke holes.
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Place the bowl in the fruit flies' attraction area.
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Repeat the process until you get rid of fruit flies.
Sneaky Fruit Trap
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A bowl or disposable container
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Ripe fruits
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A used plastic bag
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Toothpick
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Add a few pieces of ripe, skinless banana and an overripe apple to a used plastic bag.
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Put the bag in a disposable container and pierce a few holes in it with a toothpick.
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Place the trap in the targeted fruit fly area.
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Remove the stuck flies and follow the process again until you get rid of the infestation.
Milk Jug Trap
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Milk jug or a disposable bottle
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Sugar, sweet juice, or syrup
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Dish soap
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Apple cider vinegar
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Tape
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Thick paper
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Toothpick
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Mix apple cider vinegar, dish soap, and sugar and make a liquid.
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Grab a milk jug or disposable bottle, and pour in the liquid halfway.
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Make a paper funnel, place and secure it with tape in the bottle or jug in a way the funnel stays untouched from the liquid.
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Set this trap in a fruit fly zone.
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Once trapped, throw away the trap safely.
Which DIY products do you need?
If you want to get rid of fruit flies, a few simple household items will work wonders in your DIY venture. The common DIY products you need to get rid of fruit flies are:
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Apple cider vinegar
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Purchase a pre-made fruit fly trap
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Dish soap
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Plastic wraps
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Paper funnels
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Essential oil spray
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Disposable containers
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Toothpicks
How to prevent future infestations
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Reduce the likelihood of standing water forming and maintain drains free of obstructions.
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Prevention is better than cure. Make your place a fruit-fly-free zone. Remove anything that attracts insects in any way.
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Make better disposable habits, keep it clean, and regularly take out recycle bins, garbage, and compost, which is often a breeding place for fruit flies.
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If you're worried about fruit flies in your garden, ensure your Bluu Backyard Green House and Bluu DIY Planter Raised Garden Beds have rue, a natural deterrent, close to plants to keep the fruit flies away.
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Be sure to quickly wipe up spills and carefully store your food.
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Rinse fresh produce as soon as you bring them home from the market, this helps to wash away the dirt as well as any possible fruit fly eggs that could cause infestation.
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Since fruit flies are attracted toward moist areas, check rooms for any random standing water, dishes, or leftover food. Make sure to have better air ventilation around such places, especially around children’s rooms.
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Maintain the highest level of hygiene by washing your bins, cleaning the kitchen table and outdoor garden, and not allowing fly larvae to breed around you.
Your home is no place for fruit flies. To get rid of them, try the methods listed above and let us know which one worked best for you.
Our products, such as Planter Raised Garden Beds and Backyard Green House are pest-free. However, if it's covering a larger portion of your home and you're still facing the issue, we recommend you get pest control soon to protect your local neighborhood from further infestation.
When you go with Bluu's patio furniture, you go with high-quality furniture services and guaranteed solutions. Our personalized approach takes into account your comfort and luxury, corporate policies, industry regulations, and particularly flies issues to bring you lasting results.
Contact us as soon as possible to discuss your requirements for your ideal Bluu patio furniture and receive a brief solution about your customized needs.
About the author
Written by Sneha Rane. She's an analytical and detail oriented Technical Writer, equipped with vast experience in rendering technical details into usable technical documentation in various industries.
1 comment
jogvb
I hate it
.
.l
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