How to Fly Proof My House From Fruit Flies

Overly ripe or wounded fruit attracts fruit flies.

Fruit flies are attracted into the home by ripe or fermenting fruits and vegetables that are left sitting out. In addition to feeding on the produce, these tiny gnatlike flies also lay their eggs on it. Although fruit flies are a potential problem all year long, they tend to be more common in the late spring.

Things You'll Need

• Refrigerator containers
• Trash can with lid
• All-purpose cleaner
• Clean cloths

Instructions

1. Leave out on your countertop or table only fruit or vegetables you intend to consume that day. If you prefer to eat fruits and raw vegetables at room temperature, rather than cold from the refrigerator, take out only what you can eat that day. This prevents the produce from ripening too fast and providing fruit flies with a place to lay eggs.

2. 

   Fruits and vegetables stay fresh longer in the refrigerator.

   Store fruits and vegetables in produce drawers in the refrigerator or use open containers that allow air to circulate around the produce. This keeps the produce fresh without trapping moisture that causes mold.

3. 

   Rotting or decaying fruit attracts fruit flies.

   Throw away fruits and vegetables that have cracked skin or bad spots. Place these and rotting or moldy produce in a trash can with a lid to prevent it from attracting fruit flies.

4. Clean up surfaces used to prepare fruits and vegetables so the juice or skin left behind doesn't attract fruit flies. Use all-purpose cleaner and a clean cloth to wash off countertops as well as the sink.

Tips & Warnings

• Wash off fruit and vegetables kept on the countertop so juice on the outside of the skin doesn't encourage fruit flies to lay eggs.

• Check potatoes or onions stored in a cool pantry. One bad potato or onion is enough to provide fruit flies with a surface on which to lay eggs.

• Repair screens with holes or tears to eliminate easy entryways for fruit flies.

• Clean the garbage disposal after grinding up produce peels so they don't attract flies.

References

• University of Kentucky; Fruit Flies; Michael F. Potter; January 2010
• Colorado State University Extension; Flies in the Home; W.S. Cranshaw, F.B. Peairs; February 2009
• University of Florida; Mediterranian Fruit Fly; M.C. Thomas et al; September 2010