How to get rid of fruit flies: these clever tricks really work
Hot days, humid air, and a fruit bowl can be a terrible combination. Suddenly, like a rabbit out of a hat, they're everywhere: fruit flies. Instead of using toxic products, you can also use environmentally friendly methods. And they work really well!
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Fruit flies ( Drosophilidae ) feed on the sugars of overripe fruit, but are also attracted to things like leftover beer or wine in your empty bottle bin. With the 7 tips below, you can get rid of these annoying critters… sometimes even before they're gone.
Carnivorous plants can trap insects and extract nutrients from them. These three fantastic plants are therefore excellent for combating fruit flies.
Sundew ( Drosera ) – Catches its unfortunate prey with sticky tips on its leaves. Even fruit flies can't resist the scent it gives off, and so they fall prey.
Buttercup ( Pinguicula ) – The light green leaves catch small insects, such as fruit flies and mosquitoes. If it thrives, you'll be rewarded with beautiful blue flowers. A native buttercup species also grows in the Netherlands and Belgium.
Pitcher Plant ( Nepenthes ) – The pitcher plant ( Nepenthes ) is a beautiful sight and native to tropical climates. Definitely one to keep indoors! Like all carnivorous plants, they thrive in wet soil and prefer high humidity, especially the tropical varieties. The pitcher plant also eats larger insects, such as flies.
Plant strong-smelling herbs near your fruit, such as basil, lavender, sage, and rosemary. Fruit flies will be more likely to leave, as they don't like the scent. And you can use the plants right away in your kitchen. Win-win! You can also put the leaves in sachets and place them in strategic locations.
Everyone's a beginner at something! Are you completely at home in the vegetable garden, but still find pruning or combining plants difficult? Are you a master of creating borders but struggling to grow plants? Whether you've just started a garden or are already an experienced gardener, this special edition will teach you everything you need to turn your dream garden into a reality.
Don't leave fruit and vegetable waste lying around the kitchen; take it straight to the green bin or compost heap. This prevents fruit flies from breeding and keeps your home fly-free.
Fruit flies thrive on food scraps and ripe or rotting fruit. By keeping your kitchen countertops, trash can, and sink clean, you eliminate their food sources and breeding grounds. The same goes for your green bin: give it a thorough clean, especially in the summer, to prevent it from becoming a breeding ground.
Tip!
Open the windows wide and let the breeze blow through your house. This creates a draft, which fruit flies don't like; they're not strong flyers.
Don't use pesticides, as they can spread throughout your home or end up in the environment, with all the consequences that entails. Because fruit flies are harmless, pesticides are an unnecessarily drastic measure. Instead, choose environmentally friendly solutions: safe, effective, and sustainable.
With a few simple ingredients, you can make a fruit fly trap that effectively catches them. Pour a small amount of white vinegar into a container or bottle. Add a few drops of dish soap and, as the icing on the cake, a sweet drop of syrup or honey. Cover the container tightly with plastic wrap and poke holes in it with a fork. Within a few days, you'll have caught quite a few fruit flies.
