Fruit flies will stay out of the kitchens if you place 1 natural ingredient in fruit bowls
The spring sunshine is here, and that also means fruit flies are swarming about, but luckily, there's a chemical-free way to keep them out using one simple kitchen ingredient
Now that the weather is heating up, many people are opening their windows to let in fresh air, but unfortunately, this invites all kinds of insects to fly inside. Fruit flies, in particular, thrive in spring and will be drawn to the scent of ripening fruit, and can quickly multiply to take over a kitchen without proper pest prevention.
It may seem easy to use a spray to stop these pesky flies, but they often contain harsh chemicals that will linger on surfaces, food and even in the air you breathe. Instead, the experts at Insight Pest Northwest have shared that a better natural alternative is to simply place fresh herbs around your fruit.
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They said: “Placing fresh basil or bay leaves in fruit bowls or near problem areas can help deter fruit flies due to their strong scents.”
Fruit flies do not have noses but two highly sensitive olfactory organs on their heads, which means they can easily be overwhelmed by the right scents.
Basil and bay leaves release potent oils that fruit flies find irritating, and these scents not only repel flies but also help mask the smell of ripening fruit.
Keep a plant near your windowsill or scatter these herbs around your fruit bowl, and they will release a sharp smell that flies will find too uncomfortable to stay around.
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Fruit flies also dislike the scents of lavender, peppermint, and eucalyptus, so if you enjoy using essential oils, you can easily make a simple spray to help keep them out of your kitchen.
The expert said: “You can spray using a few drops of essential oil mixed with water around problem areas.”
It should be noted that many essential oils are harmful to cats and dogs, so it is better to just use the herb remedy if you are a pet owner.
However, fruit flies will continue to be a problem if you do not remove the key source that is attracting them to your kitchen, which is likely fermenting fruit.
Fruit flies come into kitchens due to the smell of rotting produce to lay their eggs, and to find a food source for their newly hatched larvae.
The best way to ensure fruit flies keep out of your home is to stop leaving your fruit bowl on the counter and instead keep fruit in the fridge or stored in a sealed container.
Make sure smelly kitchen areas, like bins or sinks, are cleaned regularly, and wipe down the counter daily to remove any crumbs that could also attract these pesky flies.
The expert said: “Fruit flies can breed in the organic matter that collects in kitchen sinks and drains, so use a drain cleaner or a mixture of baking soda and vinegar to keep drains free of buildup.”
Fruit flies, along with house flies and drain flies, are drawn to the scent of decay and mildew, so keeping your kitchen clean can go a long way in keeping your home pest-free this spring and summer.
