If you struggle with those pesky flies hovering around your fruit, then this article will help you get rid of fruit flies without chemical sprays is just what you need. A great simple living tip that will stop the invasion fast just by using what you already have sitting around your home.
Homesteading tips you can use both inside and outside of the home.
It’s summer. I love the summer.
Swimming, shorts, the sunshine, fresh fruit and veggies, ice cream cones, lazy days on my swing.
Ahhhh. Summer is here..at last!
What I don’t like about summer is all those pesky bugs.
I also don’t like chemicals or using pesticides. AT ALL.
So if I can eliminate any small annoying creatures naturally, I will do it.
Unfortunately, sometimes to do things naturally,you risk the loss of effectiveness. Luckily in the case of fruit flies, this is not true. I have an easy and effective way to eliminate those pesky flies without any sprays or chemicals.
The best part is you should have everything you need in your kitchen right now, which is perfect for a tight budget!
How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies
All you need is an empty bread bag and a ripe banana, and you have the makings of a fruit fly trap! Fruit flies are attracted to sugars, and bananas are the perfect way to attract a lot of flies in one shot.
Take a small piece of a ripe banana (larger if you have quite a few flies). I have found that in most cases, half of a banana will usually work the best to attract the most flies.
Place the banana into a bread bag all the way in the back; sometimes smashing it up just a bit will help as well—just a slight squeeze with your hand to soften up the fruit more.
Bread bags work best since they are long and skinny. I have not had the same success with other sized bags. The trick here is to lure the fruit flies in and make it as difficult as possible for them to get out. That is why the long bread bag is the perfect trap.
Set the bag containing the banana in the area where you notice the most flies.
I usually do this in the evening before going to bed.
You may need to fiddle with the bag a bit to make sure it is going to stay open. I find if you just fold the end of the bag by rolling it once or twice, you can keep the bag open more easily.
No worries though, even if you have only a small opening, the scent of the banana will lure the fruit flies inside of it.
Once you open the bag, set it up in a high-traffic location, loaded with a piece or two of ripe banana, and let it sit overnight.
In the morning, carefully close the end of the bag, twist it tight, and tie it into a knot. Do not move the bag at all before closing it up. Those little flies are quick, and you want to catch just as many as you can.
Also, do not let the air out, or you will risk those pesky fruit flies escaping.
To test it and ensure it works, give the tied and secure bread bag a little shake. That shake of your bag will confirm the capture of your fly flock. (assuming those pesky fruit flies fly in a flock!)
Next, toss that bag in the trash.
Easy!
If you have a terrible problem with fruit flies, you may have to repeat this once or twice.
I have never EVER had this not work.
My son had a severe problem in his home after being away for a few days and not running the garbage disposal. We used this technique, and after just three days every single fruit fly was gone.
Remember if you are repeating this tip, make sure to use a brand new bag and banana piece each time.
Update:
Since I have done this post, I have received lots of emails with alternative methods: apple cider vinegar, dish soap, apple pieces, and other ideas.
I decided to give a few of these tips a try, and I have found that none of them work quite as well as the banana bag trick. If you find your way works better, then great!
For us, however, nothing works quite as effectively as the banana and long skinny bread bag to keep the trapped flies from escaping.
Sometimes it’s the simplest ideas that work the best. And isn’t that good news for us? No more poisons or other chemicals that can be worrying, especially if you have pets or young children.
If you can find a natural way to get rid of fruit flies, then by all means…do it!
More Life Tips Resources:
- Easy Ways for Living a Simple Life
- 5 Surprisingly Simple Homesteading Tips
- Simple Cooking Tips for the Kitchen
