Fruit flies in the kitchen

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Why they show up

University of Maryland Extension says fruit flies are attracted to overripe fruits, vegetables, and fermenting foods, and that the female lays eggs on the surface of the food or fermenting liquid. It says the entire life cycle takes 8 to 10 days.

Trash and recycling as breeding sites

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension lists the wet bottoms of trash cans when plastic liners have leaked, and recycling bins with unrinsed wine, beer, or soda containers, among common fruit fly breeding sites. It also lists damp, dirty mops, brooms, or cleaning rags.

Sanitation comes first

Maryland Extension says the primary control for fruit flies is sanitation. It says to keep fruit stored in the refrigerator, rinse and drain bottles and cans that are to be recycled, and squeeze out mops thoroughly and dry them.

Take out the trash

Texas A&M says fruit flies can be controlled by taking out the trash or removing unrefrigerated, overripe fruit, or rotting vegetables. UNH Cooperative Extension says to cover containers of kitchen scraps headed for the compost pile and get them outdoors soon.

Traps help less than cleaning

UNH says trapping is nowhere near as effective as practicing good kitchen sanitation. Maryland Extension describes a homemade trap of apple cider vinegar and a drop of dish soap in a covered jar. Texas A&M says traps or sprays may provide temporary relief, but eliminating the breeding site is essential for complete control.

Sources: University of Maryland Extension, Fruit Flies; Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Indoor Flies and Their Control; UNH Cooperative Extension, Fruit Flies (PDF).

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