Ways to Eradicate Fruit Flies?

Fruit flies are a very prevalent variety of the tephritidae family of fly, mostly seen around groceries, food processors and eateries. These flies can be easily identified if seen hovering around overripe or decaying fruits, vegetables and other food materials. Although research shows that fruits flies help eradicate other harmful pests, they also spread germs causing diseases. Hence, fruit flies must be kept at bay.

How to counter fruit flies 

Cleanliness is the basic antidote to fruit flies. Wash and dry your fruit containers thoroughly after using and keep them in covered selves and racks, where flies cannot access. It is best to keep fruits and vegetables in refrigerator and other food items and air-tight containers.

Make it a point to wash your beer and soda cans with soapy water and store them in sealed plastic bags away from flies. Use diluted lemongrass oil around the house

Never let crumbs and other food left-over get collected in kitchen, pantry or food cabinets as these attract fruit flies. The greatest problem with fruit flies is that they lay eggs that hatch within moments. As a result a large number of flies gather around food articles within a short time.

Some more tricks to bring down fruit fly population

Clean your kitchen cabinets and refrigerator regularly and free from dampness. Sometimes even potted plants inside the house turn into nests for fruit flies. They look for the sweetness of the nectar of flowers to feed upon. You might have to get the plants professionally treated for eliminating fruit flies.

A little domestic trick to capture an ever growing swarm of fruit flies is to trap them in red wine. A mixture of pepper and sugar can also do the same trick. Apart from these, you can always keep a fly strip handy for tackling large number of fruit flies.