Fruit flies are small, persistent insects that can quickly become a problem in kitchens. They are attracted to ripe fruit, fermenting liquids and food residue, making bins, recycling containers and forgotten produce ideal places for them to feed and reproduce.
Getting rid of fruit flies requires more than catching the insects you can see. You must also find and remove the material where they are breeding. Follow these steps to tackle an infestation and help prevent it from returning.
CONFIRM THAT THEY ARE FRUIT FLIES
Adult fruit flies are small, usually measuring around 3–4 mm long. They often have a pale brown or yellow-brown body and may have noticeable red eyes when viewed closely.
You will usually find them hovering around:
- Fruit bowls
- Kitchen bins
- Recycling containers
- Empty bottles and cans
- Food waste containers
- Spilled fruit juice, wine or beer
If the flies mainly gather around a sink or drain and have broad, moth-like wings, you may be dealing with drain flies rather than fruit flies.
REMOVE RIPE AND DAMAGED FRUIT
Check every item in your fruit bowl, including the fruit underneath. A bruised, split or overripe piece of fruit can provide enough fermenting material for fruit flies to reproduce.
Dispose of damaged fruit and move suitable ripe fruit into the fridge temporarily. Clean the bowl and the surface beneath it to remove juice, residue and any hidden fragments of food.
Remember to check potatoes, onions and other produce stored in cupboards. One forgotten or rotting item can sustain an infestation even when the visible kitchen surfaces appear clean.
EMPTY AND CLEAN YOUR BINS
Fruit flies are strongly attracted to food residue inside household bins, food waste caddies and recycling containers.
Empty the containers and wash them thoroughly, paying attention to the lid, rim, hinges and bottom. Allow everything to dry before fitting a clean bin liner.
Rinse bottles, cans and jars before adding them to the recycling. Small amounts of juice, alcohol or sauce left inside containers can continue attracting fruit flies.
CLEAN HIDDEN FOOD AND DRINK RESIDUE
Fruit flies do not need a large quantity of food to breed. Small spillages and damp residue can be enough to support them.
Inspect and clean:
- Under kitchen appliances
- Around bin cupboards
- Beneath fruit bowls and storage containers
- Under coffee machines and drinks dispensers
- Around bottle storage areas
- Inside reusable shopping bags
- Along worktop edges and floor junctions
Wipe away sugary or fermented residue and dry the area thoroughly.
CHECK DRAINS AND WASTE PIPES
Although fruit flies usually breed in fermenting food material, organic residue around drains can also attract small flies.
Clean the plughole, overflow and removable sink components. If the flies continue emerging from the drain, inspect them carefully because they could be drain flies rather than fruit flies.
A fruit fly treatment will be less effective if the insects are actually breeding inside a drain or waste pipe.
USE STICKY FRUIT FLY TRAPS
Once you have removed the breeding material, use sticky fruit fly traps to attract and catch the remaining adult flies.
Position traps near areas of activity, such as fruit bowls, bins, recycling or bottle storage. Do not place them directly on food or food-preparation surfaces.
A food-based attractant draws the flies towards the trap. When they enter, they become caught on the high-tack adhesive surface. This helps reduce the number of adults capable of reaching new breeding material.
HOW TO USE A STICKY FRUIT FLY TRAP
-
OPEN
Remove the trap from its protective packaging when you are ready to use it.
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PREPARE
Open or assemble the trap according to the instructions supplied, avoiding contact with the adhesive.
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POSITION
Place the trap close to fruit fly activity without putting it directly on food or a food-preparation surface.
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CHECK AND REPLACE
Inspect the trap regularly and replace it after up to four weeks, or sooner if the adhesive becomes full or contaminated.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET RID OF FRUIT FLIES?
You may catch adult flies quickly, but completely resolving an infestation can take longer. Eggs or larvae may already be developing in hidden food material when you first notice the problem.
Continue cleaning affected areas and using traps after the visible number of flies begins to fall. If activity persists, repeat your inspection and look for a breeding source you may have missed.
HOW TO PREVENT FRUIT FLIES
- Use or refrigerate ripe fruit promptly
- Remove damaged produce from fruit bowls
- Empty food waste regularly
- Rinse bottles and cans before recycling
- Clean sugary drink spillages immediately
- Wash bins and recycling containers frequently
- Keep worktops and food storage areas clean and dry
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why do fruit flies keep coming back?
Repeated activity usually means fermenting food, liquid or organic residue remains available. Check hidden produce, bins, recycling, spillages and food storage areas.
Can fruit flies reproduce in a bin?
Yes. Food residue and fermenting waste inside a bin can provide suitable feeding and breeding material.
Will sticky traps eliminate fruit flies?
Sticky traps catch adult flies and help reduce their numbers. The breeding source must also be removed to stop the infestation from continuing.
Are fruit fly traps suitable for kitchens?
Yes. Position them near fruit fly activity but away from direct contact with food and food-preparation surfaces.
