How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies Fast: DIY Traps That Work
One day there is a single tiny fly hovering over your fruit bowl. A few days later, there are dozens. Fruit flies multiply fast, but they are also one of the easiest household pests to get rid of once you know where they come from. This guide covers exactly how to get rid of fruit flies in your kitchen and house, with simple DIY traps that work and tips to keep them from coming back.
Quick answer: To get rid of fruit flies, remove what they breed in first: throw out or refrigerate overripe fruit, take out the trash and clean sink drains with boiling water. Then trap the adults with a small jar of apple cider vinegar mixed with a drop of dish soap. Most fruit fly problems clear up within a week if you remove the source and keep surfaces clean and dry.
Where Do Fruit Flies Come From?
Fruit flies are attracted to fermenting food. They often arrive as eggs or larvae on fruit and vegetables from the store, or fly in from outside. A female can lay up to 500 eggs on ripe produce or moist, sugary residue, and the eggs can become adults in about a week. That is why the problem seems to explode overnight.
Common breeding spots include:
- Overripe bananas, tomatoes, potatoes and onions
- Trash cans and recycling bins with sticky bottles or cans
- Kitchen sink drains and garbage disposals
- Damp sponges, mops and dish rags
- Spilled juice, soda, wine or beer
- Compost bins and pet food bowls
How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies Step by Step
1. Find and remove the breeding source
Traps only catch adults. To stop the cycle, look for where the flies are breeding and get rid of it. Throw out rotting produce, check the bottom of potato and onion bags, and clean up any sticky spills.
2. Store fruit in the fridge
Keep ripe fruit in the refrigerator or in sealed containers until the problem is gone. Wash produce when you bring it home to remove any eggs.
3. Clean your drains
Drains collect food residue where fruit flies love to breed. Pour a kettle of boiling water down the drain, then add about half a cup of baking soda followed by a cup of vinegar. Let it fizz for 15 minutes and flush with hot water again. Do not pour boiling water into PVC pipes that are old or damaged; use very hot tap water instead.
4. Take out the trash and rinse recycling
Empty kitchen trash daily while you have an infestation, wash the can, and rinse cans and bottles before they go into recycling.
5. Set DIY fruit fly traps
Once the source is gone, traps quickly clean up the remaining adults. Place several near problem areas.
5 DIY Fruit Fly Traps That Work
| Trap | How to make it | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Apple cider vinegar trap | Fill a jar with ½ inch of apple cider vinegar and 1-2 drops of dish soap | The smell attracts flies and the soap breaks surface tension so they sink |
| Plastic wrap trap | Cover the vinegar jar with plastic wrap and poke small holes | Flies get in but struggle to get out |
| Paper cone trap | Roll paper into a cone and set it in a jar with vinegar or fruit | The narrow opening traps flies inside |
| Wine or beer trap | Leave a little leftover red wine or beer in the bottle | The narrow neck traps flies attracted to the fermented smell |
| Rotten fruit trap | Put a piece of overripe fruit in a jar covered with pierced plastic wrap | Uses the flies’ favorite bait |
Change the bait every few days, and discard traps outside so you do not release any flies or eggs back into your home.
How to Keep Fruit Flies Away
- Do not leave ripe fruit on the counter for long
- Rinse dishes right away instead of leaving them in the sink
- Replace or sanitize sponges and dish rags often
- Clean under appliances and wipe counters daily
- Keep trash and compost bins sealed
- Run the garbage disposal with plenty of water after use
Fruit Flies vs. Gnats vs. Drain Flies
| Pest | Looks like | Usually found near |
|---|---|---|
| Fruit flies | Tan body, red eyes, rounded | Fruit, trash, kitchen counters |
| Fungus gnats | Black, long legs, mosquito-like | Houseplants and damp soil |
| Drain flies | Fuzzy, moth-like wings | Sink and shower drains |
If the flies hang around your houseplants instead of the kitchen, you are probably dealing with fungus gnats, which need a different approach such as letting soil dry out between waterings.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get rid of fruit flies?
If you remove the breeding source and use traps, you should see a big drop within a few days, and most infestations are gone within one to two weeks.
Why do I still have fruit flies after cleaning?
There is likely a hidden breeding spot, such as a drain, a forgotten potato, a recycling bin or a damp mop. Keep searching and keep traps out until no new flies appear.
Do fruit flies bite?
No. Fruit flies do not bite people, but they can carry bacteria onto food and surfaces.
What kills fruit flies instantly?
A vinegar and dish soap trap kills fruit flies that land in it. A spray of diluted dish soap or rubbing alcohol can also kill flies on contact, but removing the source matters most.
The Bottom Line
Learning how to get rid of fruit flies comes down to two steps: remove what they breed in and trap the adults. Keep ripe fruit in the fridge, clean drains, empty the trash and set a simple apple cider vinegar trap. Within a week or two, your kitchen should be fly-free. Keep the rest of your home fresh too with our guide on how to clean a fan.
