Fruit flies. UGH! Once you see one in your home, it seems like a million more follow.
This is probably because female fruit flies lay up to 500 eggs at a time. WHOA!
I know it can feel like a losing battle, but never fear…your Fit Life Ninja is here with a super simple and inexpensive DIY remedy for getting rid of those pesky little buggers without toxins!
HOW TO GET RID OF FRUIT FLIES WITHOUT TOXINS
Step 1: Destroy their breeding ground
Fruit flies lay eggs on the surface of ripening fruit. If you’re dealing with an infestation, move your produce to the fridge until you get it under control.
I realize cold bananas may not be the most appealing idea to some people, but it’s better than being dive bombed right and left by nasty little insects!
Also, be aware that fruit flies spawn in sink drains, garbage disposals, empty food/beverage containers and damp sponges. Take these steps to destroy their breeding grounds:
- Keep the area around your sink drains dry.
- Don’t leave any food, dirty dishes or empty food/beverage containers sitting out.
- Keep your garbage covered.
Step 2: Build the traps
DIY fruit fly traps are super simple! This is all you need:
- A glass bowl or jar
- 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar
- 2 squirts of natural dish soap (like this)
Put the apple cider vinegar and dish soap in the glass bowl or jar. Make sure the dish soap doesn’t have a strong chemical scent or it will interfere with the smell of the apple cider vinegar, which is what the flies will be attracted to.
The role of the soap is to alter the surface tension of the vinegar, so the flies fall into the liquid instead of landing on the surface.
After about 24 hours, your trap should be loaded like this:
BAM! There you have it…super easy and inexpensive DIY traps free of toxins, and they work!
PREVENTION TIP: LEMONGRASS SPRAY
Fruit flies (along with many other pests) detest the smell of lemongrass. Though it won’t kill them, lemongrass essential oil will definitely help keep those suckers away.
Here’s how to make your own “fruit flies be gone” lemongrass spray:
- Fill a 2 oz. glass spray bottle with hot water.
- Add 10 drops of lemongrass essential oil and shake the bottle well.
- Spray the mixture along windowsills and doorways, directly on the flies when you see them and anywhere else they seem to be congregating.
As an added bonus, this spray leaves a nice refreshing scent in your home and it’s non-toxic. SCORE!
Cheers to ridding your home of fruit flies without using toxins!
With love and gratitude,
Kandi
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