How do I get rid of fruit flies?

The summer season is here which means you get to enjoy the warm weather, but it also means more pests…especially annoying ones, like fruit flies. Fruit flies are notorious for sneaking their way into homes and irritating you to your wits’ end. Here’s what you need to know about them and things you can do to prevent them.

Fruit fly
What is a fruit fly?

These pests get their name from their small size and fondness for some fruits.

  • SIZE: 1/8-inch-long and usually have red eyes
  • COLOR: the front portion of the body is tan and the rear portion is black
  • REGION: found on every continent except Antarctica
  • HABIT: feed on decaying matter, particularly fruits and vegetables
  • HABITAT: moist, decaying matter that has been stationary for several days

INTERESTING FACT: fruit flies can lay up to 500 eggs at a time


Why do I have fruit flies in my home?

There are a variety of reasons why you could have these pests in your home – one of them being that you could have old or rotting fruit. These types of flies have a powerful sense of smell that allows them to detect the fruit or vegetable from a distance. They may have entered your home through an open door or a window screen with a tear in it.

Another way that they can get inside your home is by fresh produce. It’s not uncommon for mature fruit flies to lay eggs on fruits and vegetables in the grocery store. For that reason, it is important to wash all your produce when you get home from the supermarket.

These pests are prolific breeders. Once they get into your home, removing them can be a challenge. They primarily prefer to lay eggs on ripened produce. However, they prefer any moist space and are especially attracted to sugar. Fruit flies commonly breed in areas such as:

  • Bottom of trash cans
  • Drains
  • Empty bottles and cans
  • Cleaning rags
  • Puddles of spilled drinks
  • Garbage disposals

How do I get rid of fruit flies?

The most effective way to get rid of fruit flies is to find the area where they are breeding and eliminate it. There are several common places where they might be breeding, including trash and recycling, unrefrigerated and ripened produce or in the pantry near older food.

If you’ve eliminated some of these breeding grounds and still have fruit flies, you should call a licensed professional to conduct a thorough inspection which will determine the conditions causing the problem.


How can I prevent fruit flies?

If you want to prevent these nuisance pests, the best way is to practice vigilant sanitation practices. These include:

  • eating or discarding of fruit and vegetables before they begin decaying
  • regularly taking out the trash and recycling
  • cleaning the inside of the trash and recycling bins
  • immediately washing produce when you come home from the grocery store
  • thoroughly cleaning up any spills that may occur and washing the rag immediately
  • keeping counter surfaces clean
  • storing certain produce in the refrigerator instead of at room temperature
  • keeping doors and windows closed
  • checking your window screens to ensure they’re fully intact with no tears or rips





While fruit flies pose no real harm to humans, they can certainly be a nuisance to you. By keeping your home sanitized and clean, you are eliminating the sources that attract fruit flies and their breeding grounds. Plus, you can relax in your home knowing you won’t be annoyed by a swarm of these pests.

For more information on Massey Services fruit fly prevention and treatment services, click here to schedule your free no-obligation inspection.