How can fruit flies be eliminated?

The most effective method for eliminating fruit flies is to cut off their breeding chain, rather than chasing after adult flies.

① Find and remove breeding sources — this is the most critical step.

Inspect the kitchen for any fruits and vegetables that may be rotting: overripe bananas, damaged tomatoes, fruit starting to ferment, forgotten potatoes in a corner — discard them immediately into an outdoor trash bin.

② Apple cider vinegar trap — pour about 1 cm of apple cider vinegar into a bowl, add 2–3 drops of dish soap to break the surface tension (fruit flies landing on the liquid surface will sink and drown as the surface tension is disrupted), cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap, and poke a few small holes with a toothpick.

Fruit flies are attracted to the vinegar scent, enter, and cannot fly out.

This is the most cost-effective DIY fruit fly trap.

③ Inspect and clean drains — the organic residue that accumulates in kitchen sink drains is a food source for fruit fly larvae; pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain, then pour 1/2 cup of white vinegar, wait 15 minutes for the foaming reaction, and then flush thoroughly with boiling water.

④ Store fresh fruits and vegetables in the refrigerator — low temperatures inhibit the hatching of fruit fly eggs.

⑤ Inspect the recycling bin — a few residual drops of liquid in empty beverage cans and beer bottles are enough to become a breeding site for fruit flies; wash the recycling bin weekly.

Usually, after all breeding sources have been eliminated, adult fruit flies will die naturally within 2–3 days.