Fruit flies are tiny, persistent, and incredibly frustrating—especially when they suddenly take over your kitchen. They appear out of nowhere, multiply quickly, and hover around fruits, drains, trash bins, and anything sticky or sweet. The good news? Getting rid of fruit flies doesn’t require harmful chemicals. With a few natural, effective home remedies, you can eliminate them and prevent them from coming back.
In this guide, we’ll walk through How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies: 15 Best Home Remedies for Fruit Flies, along with tips on identifying sources and keeping your kitchen fresh and fly-free.
What Causes Fruit Flies in the First Place?
Before you get rid of fruit flies, it’s important to understand where they come from. Fruit flies are attracted to:
- Ripe or overripe fruits
- Sweet spills or sticky residues
- Unclean drains
- Recycle bins with bottles containing leftover liquid
- Trash cans
- Damp mops or old dishcloths
- Fermenting liquids
Their entire lifecycle is roughly 8–10 days, which means a few fruit flies can turn into an infestation very quickly.
If you enjoy home-care and natural remedies, you might also like learning how to clean strawberries properly so no insects or dirt remain.
► How to Clean Strawberries
1. Apple Cider Vinegar Trap
Apple cider vinegar is the most reliable home remedy for fruit flies. They are attracted to the fermenting scent, and the addition of dish soap traps them instantly.
How to make it:
- Pour 3–4 tablespoons of ACV into a small bowl
- Add 2–3 drops of dish soap
- Leave uncovered, or cover with plastic wrap and poke holes
Warm the vinegar slightly for even better results.
If you’re someone who loves natural solutions, you may also enjoy ACV home hacks like the apple cider vinegar, lemon, and baking soda drink for wellness.
► Apple Cider Vinegar, Lemon and Baking Soda Drink
2. DIY Vinegar Bottle Trap
This is perfect if you’re dealing with a larger infestation.
Steps:
- Cut a small water bottle in half.
- Invert the top to create a funnel.
- Add apple cider vinegar or white vinegar.
- Add one drop of dish soap.
Fruit flies enter but cannot escape.
3. Red Wine Trap
Fruit flies are attracted to fermenting liquids, and red wine works just as well as vinegar.
How to use it:
- Pour a small amount of old red wine into a glass.
- Add a drop of dish soap.
- Leave it uncovered near the infestation area.
As the wine ferments further, the trap becomes even more effective.
4. Rotten Fruit Trap
This method uses the flies’ biggest attraction—overripe fruit.
How to make it:
- Place a piece of rotten fruit in a jar.
- Cover the top with plastic wrap.
- Poke small holes in the plastic.
Flies enter but cannot exit.
5. Milk, Sugar, and Pepper Mixture
This traditional solution has been used for generations.
Recipe:
- Boil 1 cup of milk
- Add 2 tbsp sugar
- Add freshly ground black pepper
- Place the mixture in shallow bowls
The sweet smell attracts fruit flies and traps them effectively.
6. Clean the Drains (A Hidden Breeding Ground)
Fruit flies often lay eggs in drains where food residue collects. Cleaning the drain helps eliminate larvae, eggs, and odor.
Use this effective method:
- Pour ½ cup baking soda into the drain.
- Add 1 cup white vinegar.
- Let the mixture foam for 10 minutes.
- Flush with boiling water.
If cleaning solutions interest you, check out how to remove stubborn hard water stains naturally.
► How to Clean Hard Water Stains
7. Lemon and Boiling Water Method
This works well for drains full of residue.
How to use:
- Boil water in a large pot
- Squeeze in one lemon
- Drop the squeezed lemon halves into the boiling water
- Pour the entire mixture down the drain
This sanitizes the drain and removes lingering odors fruit flies love.
8. Essential Oil Fruit Fly Repellent
Rather than attracting and trapping, this method repels fruit flies.
Essential oils fruit flies avoid:
- Lemongrass
- Lavender
- Peppermint
- Eucalyptus
How to use:
- Mix 10 drops essential oil with 1 cup of water
- Add to a spray bottle
- Spray around sinks, windows, trash cans, and countertops
This will make your kitchen smell amazing and keep flies away.
9. Yeast and Sugar Trap
If you want a powerful fermentation-based trap, this is it.
How to make:
- Mix warm water with 1 teaspoon sugar
- Add a pinch of dry yeast
- Add a few drops of dish soap
The yeast produces carbon dioxide, drawing fruit flies into the bowl.
10. Bleach Flush (Use Only for Severe Infestations)
If your drain is heavily infested:
Use diluted bleach:
- Mix 1 cup bleach with 2 cups water
- Pour down the drain
This kills hidden larvae and breaks the breeding cycle.
11. Keep Your Trash Area Clean
Trash bins are prime breeding areas for fruit flies.
Tips:
- Wash trash cans weekly with soap and water
- Sprinkle baking soda at the bottom to control odor
- Tie trash bags securely
- Keep the lid closed
If you deal with odor issues often, you may want to learn how to eliminate strong smells such as urine stains and odors effectively.
► How to Remove Urine Stains and Smell
12. Store Fruits Properly
Since fruit flies love ripe fruit, proper storage can prevent infestations.
Tips:
- Keep ripe fruit in the fridge
- Use breathable mesh covers for countertop storage
- Avoid leaving cut fruit uncovered
- Freeze overly ripe bananas for smoothies
13. Rinse Products After Bringing It Home
Fruit flies often come home with your groceries, especially on organic produce.
How to prevent this:
Rinse fruits in a solution of:
- 1 part vinegar
- 3 parts water
This kills bacteria and removes fruit fly eggs from the surface.
This is similar to the process used to clean strawberries deeply.
► How to Clean Strawberries
14. Use a Fan to Keep Them Away
Fruit flies are weak fliers. Even a small table fan will disrupt their flight path and prevent them from landing on surfaces.
Use a fan:
- Near fruit bowls
- Close to trash bins
- In the kitchen during cooking
- Near dining tables
15. Maintain a Clean, Dry Kitchen Environment
Fruit flies thrive in moist, sticky areas. Preventing buildup is essential.
Daily habits that work:
- Wipe counters after every meal
- Store sponges where they can dry
- Keep the sink dry at night
- Clean cutting boards immediately
- Rinse drink glasses ASAP
- Avoid leaving juice or wine open
If you love keeping your home clean naturally, explore methods like removing old carpet stains, which is perfect for a spotless home.
► Get Old Stains Out of Carpet
Preventing Fruit Flies From Returning
Here are essential prevention habits:
- Remove overripe fruit immediately
- Wash dishes before bed
- Clean under appliances
- Take out the trash daily
- Keep compost bins sealed
- Rinse recycling bottles
These habits will significantly reduce the chances of future infestations.
If pests are a bigger concern at home, you might find this guide useful too:
► Get Rid of Rats Naturally
Final Thoughts
Fruit flies are annoying, but the solutions are simple, effective, and natural. With these 15 home remedies, you can get rid of fruit flies fast and keep your home clean, fresh, and pest-free. Whether you prefer ACV traps, yeast mixtures, essential oil sprays, or deep cleaning methods, each solution plays a role in eliminating fruit flies and preventing them from returning.
