Pest experts say take action now to stop fruit fly infestations

Insect control experts say 2024 could be the worst year yet for fruit flies, with the swarm due to descend in August. Alliance Online, who supply insect control devices, say searches to get rid of fruit flies begin to increase in July and peak in August.

And they say this year has already seen a 31% increase in online traffic looking for fruit fly solutions. John Girvan of Alliance Online provided five steps you can take now to prevent your home from being infested.

He said: “Summer is just around the corner, which means longer and brighter days for those itching for some glorious sunshine. However, when warmer weather arrives, insects are more likely to show up indoors and cause a nuisance, with pesky fruit flies proving to be the biggest culprit.

“Fortunately, there are a number of preventative measures you can take to reduce the chance of infestation.”

Keep surfaces clean and sanitized

“Keep your surfaces clean and sanitized to prevent fruit flies and any other unwanted insects that will be attracted to any food scraps, no matter how small. Fruit flies usually appear in the kitchen when food is being prepared and served, especially during the summer months when doors and windows tend to be left open.”

“Take out the trash more often than usual before fruit fly season so food waste doesn’t rot – the perfect attraction and breeding ground for fruit flies.”

Store fruits and vegetables properly

“Fruit flies are attracted to the ripeness of fruit and vegetables and the smell of fermentation, so seal and refrigerate food and keep it in an airtight container. There are plenty of airtight containers on the market these days and luckily they’re not too expensive, so they’re worth investing in if you’re fed up with fruit flies.”

Traps and natural repellents

“The most widely used and probably the most successful fruit fly prevention tactic is traps and repellents. Traps and repellents are easy to set up as you will likely already have all the ingredients prepared at home. For a trap, fill a small bowl or jar with apple cider vinegar and a few drops of dishwashing liquid. Cover the container with plastic wrap and make small holes to attract the flies – it works with red wine too!”

“Natural repellents are powerful deterrents to fruit flies. The strong scent of dried basil, mint and bay leaves can simply be left where you tend to find fruit flies which should repel them from the area. Alternatively, mix the water with essential oils such as lemongrass, lavender or eucalyptus, which can be sprayed on as a natural repellant.”

Keep drains clean

“Fruit flies can breed and lay eggs in organic matter in wet areas such as drains. Clean your drains with a mixture of vinegar and baking soda to remove any buildup and discourage fruit flies from breeding there. If you don’t have baking soda or vinegar, boiling water might work just as well.”

Use a fan

“Using a fan is another preventative measure to deter fruit flies. Fruit flies are weak fliers and do not like strong air currents. By placing a fan near where fruit flies congregate, you can create an environment with increased air circulation, making it more difficult for fruit flies to fly and land on surfaces.”

“In addition to the benefit of a fan cooling your home in hot weather, the constant air movement created by the fan can disorient fruit flies and make it challenging for them to navigate and find food sources.”