This time of year, especially during hot summer days, fruit flies and maggots are a nuisance. How to get rid of them without using Raid and other harmful chemicals? Follow my tried and tested tips below.
First of all, start with flushing your kitchen sink drains as this is where they tend to breed.
Drain Flush Recipe
- Pour 2 TBSP of baking soda into each drain.
- Add 1/2 cup of white vinegar down each drain (DO NOT RINSE)
- Leave for about 5 minutes before flushing the drain with hot water.
- Repeat this trick every month or so to keep your kitchen pest free.
Fruit Fly Trap 1
- find an empty mason jar or tumbler.
- place 1 TBSP of over ripe fruit pieces in the bottom, ie: strawberries, bananas.
- secure the top with plastic wrap. Pull tightly and secure with a rubber band.
- with a toothpick or skewer pop several holes (20) in the plastic wrap.
- place this in the kitchen or where you find the most fruit fly activity.
- the flies go in, but can’t get out.
Fruit Fly Trap 2
- find and empty mason jar or tumbler.
- add 1 cup of apple cider vinegar
- add 3 drops of dish soap
- secure the top with plastic wrap. Pull tightly and secure with a rubber band.
- with a toothpick or skewer pop several holes in the plastic wrap.
Flies are attracted to anything sweet which means apple cider vinegar is a great lure. The dish soap enables the flies to sink into the vinegar.
Keeping garbage bins maggot free
With this extreme heat it is nearly impossible to keep the garbage bins and green waste maggot- free. I cringe at the thought! Here are a few hacks I’ve learned.
Prevention is key. Ensure your garbage container seals properly to keep flies OUT. Flies are attracted to the rotting food odours, so keeping your garbage odour down is key in prevention.
Tip 1 – scrape food waste into a separate bag and store in the freezer or cool place until garbage pickup. Therefore throwing zero food waste out during peak summer days.
Some people find that tip disgusting so moving onto other tips.
Tip 2 – if you use a garburator for food disposal see our drain flushing recipe above.
Tip 3 – Mask the smell of the garbage to deter flies from laying eggs. Spray the garbage bags, and outside of the garbage container with a mixture of water and 30 drops of either lavender or eucalyptus, or both! Flies hate those smells. I suggest spraying your garbage containers daily during the hot summer months.
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Enjoy the rest of your summer!
