Fruit flies are probably the most benignly annoying insects to exist. Unlike mosquitoes or cockroaches, these bugs (mostly) aren’t harmful. They can carry bacteria and germs like other insects, but they’re not specifically linked to any illness that can cause humans harm.
Fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) are especially attracted to ripening fruits and vegetables. For people who love having fresh produce at home, the existence of these winged pests can be especially irritating. People who live in high-rise buildings and condos most likely suffer from infestations from time to time. And if you’re reading this right now, you’re probably suffering the same.
There are a few tricks out there to get rid of fruit flies. My personal favorite (and the one I use whenever the need arises) is adding a drop of dish soap to a shallow dish filled with apple cider vinegar. Fruit flies are attracted to the scent of rotting fruit and the dish soap acts as a barrier to stop them from flying out of the liquid. The best way to use it is to put the mixture by the kitchen sink or wherever the fruit flies frequently gather and leave it alone overnight. It’s as easy as that.
Some online recommendations say that you have to use a bowl and a cup of apple cider vinegar, but I found the shallow dish method to be more effective. Using a wide, shallow dish means there’s more surface area for the flies to land and get trapped in.
The only downside to using this method is the smell. Apple cider vinegar has a strong odor, to say the least, and leaving it exposed on your kitchen counter means you have to smell it every time you pass by.
Getting rid of fully developed fruit flies is just a band-aid solution, though. The most important part of fully eliminating a fruit fly infestation is to get to the root of the problem. Like other insects, fruit flies like to lay tons of eggs. They usually lay their eggs on overripe fruits and vegetables, or in moist areas like drains, garbage cans, empty bottles and cans, and even pipes.
Cleaning these areas thoroughly will save you from more irritation. Washing and storing your produce properly will also get rid of the problem from the root.