Get Answers: How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies

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Janelle Sorensen

Friday, July 16, 2010

Jessica, from our Facebook community, posted a question on our wall this week:

I was wondering if you could suggest a way to get rid of fruit flies without poisoning my house. I had a little garden growing in my kitchen and the fruit flies moved in with my kale and broccoli. I've gotten rid of the plants but the flies are still here. Any suggestions?

ANSWER:

Fruit flies are a real nuisance, but they’re easy enough to get rid of using non-toxic solutions. Here are some methods to try:

Pour a little sweet cheap white wine (Riesling) in a glass and add a drop of a natural soap to break the surface tension. Place near infected area. The fruit flies will drown trying to drink the wine.
Pour some apple cider vinegar into a glass, and place a paper funnel over the container. Fruit flies are attracted to the smell and fly into the glass, but 4 out of 5 can’t find the way back out.
Mix some basil oil with water and spray your kitchen. Fruit flies are repelled by the smell of basil.

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