Fruit Flies Attack! Here's How To Defend Yourself And Your Fruit

Summertime is one of the best times to enjoy fresh produce. But those juicy peaches and ripened tomatoes are also the reason why a spine-tingling influx of fruit flies has been invading your kitchen, laying claim to your farmer's market bounty as they reproduce at the speed of light. One fruit fly can lay up to 500 eggs at a time, and they transform from egg to adult in just over a week. In other words, you have to act quickly before a few measly flies become a full-blown army.

If we're giving you the creepy crawlies, stay with us — we're about to tell you how to get rid of your fruit flies once and for all.

#1: Prevention, Prevention, Prevention!

The easiest way to avoid fruit flies is by making your kitchen as unappealing to them as possible. That means storing your fruit and vegetables in sealed containers or in the refrigerator. That being said, we totally understand your desire to display fresh fruit on the kitchen counter, so if that's your preference, read on.

#2: Circle the Drain...With Bleach

Not-so-fun fact: Sink drains are common places for fruit flies to nest and breed. This is why you'll often see them buzzing about your kitchen sink. The easiest way to put an end to this is with a little bit of bleach. Pour some down the infested drain and your fruit flies won't stand a chance.

#3: Try Some Red Wine

You're not the only one who loves a good glass of Cabernet. Fruit flies are also attracted to red wine as a form of fermented fruit. The next time 5 p.m. rolls around, pour some vino into a jar with a few holes poked in the lid — the fruit flies will have an easy time getting in and a hard time getting out. Then you can take the jar out of your home and dispose of it. By the way, this also works with beer.

#4: Vinegar Is Key

You know that phrase "You catch more bees with honey than vinegar"? Yeah, that doesn't apply to these winged pests. Fruit flies are actually drawn to apple cider vinegar, so apply the same method you'd use with your wine to a jar of vinegar.

#5: Fight Fruit Flies With Fruit

If you fill a bowl with a few pieces of rotting fruit (bananas work well) and cover with some perforated plastic wrap, the flies will flock to their snack and get trapped under the plastic. Yes, it's a pretty gross method, but it's worth a shot if it'll get rid of your fruit fly infestation, right?

#6: Employ The Heavy Arsenal

If you've tried these natural remedies and are still having a problem with fruit flies, there are a few types of store-bought options you can use. Fruit fly strips, Aunt Fannie's Fly Punch and an electronic bug zapper are sure to do the trick.