Many people are not aware that inconspicuous fruit flies can carry diseases that are dangerous to humans and spread germs.
We should not allow them to fly around the house carelessly and land on our food. It is easier said than done. Getting rid of fruit flies may seem like a risky mission, but there are several effective ways to get rid of them once and for all.
The most important thing is to keep things tidy. Fruit flies fly to leftover food, mainly fresh, sweet products. So let’s try not to attract them and clean up immediately. Scattered crumbs or fruit peels on the board are attractive to them. Let’s also not forget to take out the trash regularly.
Of course, it’s hard to run to the trash every time we eat something. However, you can get a closed bin for organic and mixed waste. Another idea is to keep organic waste… in the fridge.
At first, it sounds absurd, but it really makes sense. All you need to do is set aside some space for a medium-sized pot or container in which to store waste. By keeping it in the fridge, the leftovers won’t spoil as quickly as they would in a warm bin, so you won’t get an unpleasant smell. The container should be emptied directly into the bin, which means you won’t have to use additional bags. Simple, clever, and eco-friendly.
In addition to cleaning up waste, it is also worth keeping order and focusing on minimalism in the kitchen. The fewer items, the easier it is to keep things clean. There are also no nooks and crannies where leftovers can accumulate and where flies and other pests can feed.
The ideal solution would be to not store food without packaging at all. So let’s put fruit in the fridge, and store cookies or cereal in tightly closed containers. This will keep them fresh longer and will not attract fruit flies.
We must remember that fruit flies do not want to hurt us. They simply fly where they feel good and where they can find food. Let’s try to not make our kitchen such a place.
Home remedies to repel fruit flies
We know perfectly well that it is not always possible to maintain sterile cleanliness and hide everything. In such cases, it is worth reaching for home remedies to get rid of unwanted tenants. One of them is scented candles. Those with the aroma of mint or lavender will effectively scare away fruit flies.
You can also simply buy such a plant. Basil or… vinegar, which we should wipe countertops with, will also be effective.
If the problem is serious, you may want to try making your own fruit fly repellent.
- Pour vanilla extract into a jar – about 4 tablespoons, place cotton pads in it (there should be enough extract so that the cotton pads are half dry), place fresh sage and mint leaves on the cotton pad.
- Cover the jar with a cloth – to make it stick better, screw on the preserving cap (you can also use a regular rubber band, although the first method is more aesthetic).
- The fly repellent is ready! Place it near a waste bin, bio-waste container or fruit bowl and replace it every 5-7 days.
