Do DIY fruit fly traps really work?

If you’re ever dealt with a fruit fly infestation in your home or business, you know fruit flies can be annoying. Even worse, they make your property look unsanitary and unappealing. It’s tempting to turn to DIY fruit fly traps to resolve the problem. These traps can seem like an easy fix. But do they actually work?

Learn more about whether homemade fruit fly traps will do the trick and see how Western Exterminator can help you get rid of fruit flies. Western Exterminator specialists are well-versed in fruit fly control and will persist in battling the infestation until it is gone. (Plus, we can eliminate other types of flies, too!) Call us at 888-444-6138 or contact us online to set up an appointment and you’ll be on your way to becoming fly-free.

Homemade fruit fly traps

Homemade fruit fly traps can vary. You can use items like rotten fruit, vinegar and dish soap to make traps. The idea is to attract the flies to the substance and then prevent them from escaping.

Vinegar

Fruit flies are also known as vinegar flies. In fact, leftover vinegar in an unsealed container may lead to an infestation. Vinegar in a trap is meant to entice the flies.

Rotting fruit

Fruit flies like rotting fruit, so using rotting fruit will attract the flies to the trap.

Dish soap

Dish soap in a fruit fly trap breaks the surface tension of the liquid used within the trap, causing the flies to fall into the liquid instead of sitting on top of it.

Fruit flies prefer to develop from eggs to adults in the liquid of improperly sealed canned vegetables and fruits. The adult files will deposit eggs on fermenting fruit, which is why you should may spot them at your grocery store, restaurant or other food business.

DIY fruit fly traps may sound like an economical solution, but here‘s the problem: They may catch flies, but they do not get rid of the reason you have fruit flies in the first place. In other words, the traps do not resolve the root issue. For this reason, you should contact a pest control professional to determine what is actually causing the infestation in order to truly eliminate it.

What attracts fruit flies?

A fruit fly can go through a life cycle in 8 to 10 days, so an infestation can develop quickly. So, it’s important to know what can lead to the infestation to start with. Produce like overly ripe peaches, onions, potatoes and bananas can attract fruit flies, along with wine, beer and cider. Fruit flies can be found in kitchens, food preparation spots, bars and trash cans. They also like mop heads and places under broken tiles.

What do fruit flies look like? This species of fly is around ⅛ inch in length. Its abdomen is typically brownish-black and its head is yellowish to light brown. Fruit fly eyes are usually bright red but can also be darker in color.

Fruit flies do not bite, but if you operate a food-processing facility, restaurant or other property handling food, these flies may harm your brand image. Or, if you’re trying to work in the kitchen at home, you likely won’t want flies pestering you while you make dinner. You can’t let these insects turn your property into their new hangout spot.

How to get rid of fruit flies

Homemade fruit fly traps may catch fruit flies, but they will not do much about the places where the flies are breeding. Pest control experts, like Western Exterminator, who understand the sources of fruit fly infestations can pinpoint where eggs are laid and flies develop. A professional can then recommend an effective treatment to get rid of the fruit flies.

There are also some steps you can take to help prevent fruit flies from infesting your home or business. The key to preventing these pests is to make your property less appealing to fruit flies and lessen your chances of encountering them.

• Dispose of trash regularly.
• User a smaller diameter mesh size on your screens on doors and windows.
• Throw out over-ripe produce or put it in the fridge.

Professional fruit fly control

Western Exterminator is your local expert in fruit fly control. When you contact us about a fruit fly issue, we will visit your premises and gather more information about the problem. Then, we will identify the best way to get rid of the infestation. We can even give you advice on how to prevent fruit flies from becoming a problem again.

If you think these fruit flies have entered your property, don’t resort to DIY fruit fly traps. Get in touch with us today for a real solution.