Give fruit flies the boot, guys!
Experts have warned that this August is set to be the worst year for pesky fruit flies ever seen in Ireland.
New data revealed by home essentials supplier Alliance Online Ireland, has found that there are an average of 1,600 searches for 'how to get rid of fruit flies' each month in Ireland.
Already, Alliance Online Ireland, who supply insect control devices as part of their range, have seen that in 2024, Google searches for 'how to get rid of fruit flies' are up by 31% worldwide.
To help Irish home owners reduce the chances of having fruit flies in the home, John Girvan from Alliance Online Ireland has provided five preventative steps you can take now.
“Summer is just around the corner which means longer, brighter days for those itching for some glorious sunshine. However, when warmer weather arrives, insects are more likely to appear in the house and cause a nuisance, and pesky fruit flies prove to be the biggest culprit,” said Mr Girvan.
Keep surfaces clean and sanitised: “Keep your surfaces clean and sanitised to prevent fruit flies, and any other unwanted insects, who will be attracted to any food remnants. Take out the rubbish bin more often than usual ahead of fruit fly season, so food waste doesn’t end up rotting - the perfect attraction and breeding ground for fruit flies.”
Store fruit and vegetables properly: “Fruit flies are attracted to the ripeness of fruit and vegetables and the smell of fermentation, so seal and refrigerate food and keep it in an airtight container.”
Traps and natural repellents: “The most used, and arguably the most successful, fruit fly prevention tactics are traps and repellents. For a trap, fill a small bowl or jar with apple cider vinegar and a few drops of washing-up liquid. Cover the container with plastic wrap and poke some small holes to entice the flies - this works with red wine too!
“Natural repellents are strong deterrents for fruit flies. The strong scent of dried basil, mint and bay leaves can be simply left where you tend to find fruit flies.”
Keep drains clean: “Fruit flies can breed and lay eggs in the organic matter in damp areas like drains. Clean your drains with a mixture of vinegar and baking soda to eliminate any buildup and deter fruit flies from breeding there. If you don’t have baking soda or vinegar, boiling water could work just as well.”
Use a fan: “Using a fan is another preventative measure to deter fruit flies. Fruit flies are weak fliers and dislike strong air currents. By placing a fan near where fruit flies congregate, you can create an environment with increased air circulation which makes it more difficult for the fruit flies to fly and land on surfaces.”