How to Avoid Fruit Flies Naturally

A fruit fly infestation in your kitchen can do more than turn the area into an unappetizing, unsanitary place to eat—the rapidly multiplying fruit flies can also spread germs and render your food inedible and dangerous. If you’d rather not spray potentially harmful chemicals around your dishes, cookware and food, however, there are methods to get rid of fruit flies before they become a problem. Consider these repellents to help avoid fruit flies naturally.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Find natural repellents to avoid fruit flies naturally. For example, place small pots of sweet basil, packets of cloves or crushed mint and a cloth scented with eucalyptus or lavender oil around your kitchen to keep the fruit flies at bay. In addition, sprinkling small amounts of dry, powdery soap in trash cans or basins can also repel fruit flies.

2. Keep trash cans, fruit bins and bowls and recycling bins meticulously clean, particularly free of fruit and fruit juice residue. If a food or drink spill extends under the fridge or into a cabinet, for example, take care to clean the area completely as a fruit fly control method. At the very least, ensure your trash cans have tight fitting lids to avoid attracting and harboring fruit flies.

3. Avoid fruit flies naturally by instructing your family to immediately throw away half-eaten produce (particularly bananas, peaches, pineapples, tomatoes and potatoes) and not to leave sweetened items (even open wine, soda or beer) in areas that can attract fruit flies.

4. Consider the size of the screens on your windows or sliding glass doors to keep fruit flies from entering your home. Screens with at least 16 mesh per inch (sometimes called an “insect screen” act as fly control by keeping adult fruit flies from squeezing through—ensure they’re sealed tightly around all sides, too.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid ingesting the eggs or larvae of fruit flies by discarding fruit that’s got deep punctures or open cuts, for example.
• If you’re already battling a fruit fly infestation, end it naturally with a simple fruit fly trap. Just roll a piece of paper into a cone, place it in a narrow jar and pour an inch or two of cider vinegar into the jar.

[kristara]

on 5/1/2009 Great natural tips, fruit flies are disgusting.