Fruit flies are pests that attack yard crops, such as chilies, tomatoes, cucumbers, and fruits. For horticultural farmers, this is the most detrimental pest as it eats away at vegetables and fruits that will be consumed by humans. Not only that, fruit flies can also appear in the house if you are negligent. So that you don't have to call a professional fly exterminator, here are tips on how to prevent fruit flies in your home!
- Make use of flavorful spices
The first way to prevent the presence of fruit flies at home is to have certain scented spices (herbs) around the kitchen and dining table or add a few drops of herbal essential oils into a diffuser. Some herbal fragrances that fruit flies dislike are lavender, mint, rosemary, basil, eucalyptus, cloves, and lemongrass.
- Don't give the slightest chance
Fruit flies love anything that contains sugar, such as overripe fruit or cut vegetables. If they can't find fruit or vegetables, fruit flies will also settle on wet trash (food waste), drains, and recycling bins.
So, try not to hoard too many fruits and vegetables in the dining room or kitchen! Keep them in the refrigerator. Also, don't forget to get into the habit of regularly disposing of garbage every 1-2 days for dry waste and once a day for wet waste.
- Wash and check groceries
After shopping for ingredients, it's a good idea to get into the habit of washing and inspecting your purchases. This will help you prevent the presence of fruit flies in your kitchen or dining room. Once you've washed your vegetables and fruits under clean or running water, dry them and discard any that are damaged or on the verge of ripening to remove any eggs or larvae that may be attached.