Fruit Flies: Cause, Elimination and Education

Learn about the causes and elimination of pesky fruit flies.Tiny black minions. Foul flying fools. Little looney losers.

Fruit flies.

So you went to the store and bought some fresh fruit. You’re making a push to eat healthier. You’re going to the gym. You’re taking the stairs. You’re determined to learn how to make great smoothies with your collection of bananas, strawberries, grapes, and protein powder. You’re ready.

You’re set.

You’re UPSET!

Because you found fruit flies!

Now you wonder where the fruit flies came from. Instead of hitting the gym, you’re hitting the countertop, the table, the air, and your hands together, in an effort to smash the small, sickening sleuths.

Sad story. Sad story, indeed.

Back to Their Roots
Fruit flies hail from organic matter. Translation: Fruit flies can breed in decaying fruit, drains, and house plants. Rotting fruit is a perfect spot for a flourishing fruit fly family. Bananas are especially responsible because fruit flies lay their eggs in the stems of bananas. Drains in the kitchen, bathroom, and utility room are also popular places. And, the oft-forgotten common house plant is another huge hang out for fruit flies.

Uprooting the Rebels
Eliminating fruit flies can be tricky at times. Upon scouring the internet for you so you don’t have to, we discovered several fruit fly removal formulas. Anything from homemade funnels in sports drink bottles to Drano© to strategically placed wine glasses was suggested.

Here at The Bug Man, we have a few recommendations.

1. Store the fruit in the fridge or dispose of whatever rotting fruit is attracting the flies. And, make a note to check your fruit at the store before you buy it to make sure no flies are nearby.
2. After you’ve disposed of the rotting fruit, take out the trash. And while you’re doing that…
3. Scope out the bottom of your trash or recycle bin. Is it dirty? If so, clean it.
4. Wipe down your counters, tables, and floor. Sticky, leftover residue may be attracting flies.
5. If you have a house plant, try re-potting it. How long has that soil been in there? Was it re-potted after you bought it?
6. Clean your drains. We recommend pouring a diluted bleach solution down your drains. Let’s pause 15 seconds for emphasis.

1…2…3…4…5…6…7…8…9…10…11…12…13…14…15…

A diluted solution. Please don’t douse your drain with a container of bleach in an attempt to be overly thorough in your cleaning quest. Use one capful of bleach per gallon of water. Little bleach. Lot water.

If you’re still seeing fruit flies after taking the steps listed above, there are several other things you can try. There are numerous variations of a vinegar/soap concoction. Opinions vary as to which one works the best. If you need a customized recommendation of what to do, please leave us a comment here. We’ll do our best to help you out.

You may now return to your pursuit of healthy living, fruit-eating, and workouts at the gym.