Do you have a frustrating problem with fruit flies? We’ve all been there! These pesky little bugs can be incredibly challenging to eliminate.
When trying to eradicate an infestation, not all methods of elimination work.
Can you vacuum fruit flies? Will they survive the vacuum, or will they die?
You can vacuum them up, but they can survive in the vacuum for a while. You need to dispose of the vacuum waste carefully.
We’ll explain how to vacuum fruit flies in this article.
Can You Vacuum Fruit Flies?
The quick answer to this question is yes, you can vacuum fruit flies. They will survive for a time inside the vacuum bag or canister. But without food and water, they will eventually die.
However, if you vacuum them up and just leave them in the vacuum with other trash and organic matter present, they could easily breed in your vacuum cleaner, and potentially spread further.
If you want to use this method to get rid of fruit flies, there are a few things you need to do first. Follow these steps to achieve the maximum results.Â
1. Clean Up Your Space
Before you start vacuuming, it is essential to understand that fruit flies are attracted to ripe fruits and vegetables and other sweet foodstuffs. Because of this, you’ll need to remove any food sources that might be drawing them into your home in the first place.Â
This is the most important part. If there are rotten bananas on your counter that you haven’t thrown away yet, the fruit flies are likely breeding in the banana. If you don’t throw it away, you’ll get more flies soon.
It’s a good idea to clean your bananas and if they’re starting to go, peel them and put them in the freezer for future smoothies or banana bread!
Once you’ve gotten rid of any rotten fruit and brought it outside, you can move on to the next step. This step also involves getting your vacuum cleaner ready for the job.
2. Choose the Right Time
Fruit flies are most active during the daytime, so this is when you should vacuum them. To increase your chances of success, try to do it when the temperature is warm outside.
Fruit flies are more active in warmer environments, and go dormant when the temperature is cold. A warm environment will make them more likely to be near windows and doors, making them easier to vacuum up.
3. Vacuum Carefully
Now that you’ve prepared everything, it’s time to start vacuuming. Be sure to move slowly and methodically around where you think the fruit flies might be. Pay close attention to corners, cracks, and other small spaces.
Use a small attachment on your vacuum cleaner to help you get into those hard-to-reach places.Â
4. Empty the Vacuum Bag Right Away
Once you’re finished vacuuming, it’s essential to empty the bag right away. If you don’t, the fruit flies might be able to escape and end up back in your home.
To prevent this, take the vacuum bag outside and place it in a sealed garbage can.
What if it’s a canister vacuum?
If you have a bagless vacuum, you can try a couple of things. You can spray the inside of the canister with insecticide, cleaning solution, etc. to kill any left over fruit flies.
You can also cut up a flea and tick collar and put those pieces inside the vacuum before you vacuum up the flies. This will kill them pretty quickly.
You can also cut up a flea and tick collar and put those pieces inside the vacuum before you vacuum up the flies. This will kill them pretty quickly.
5. Vacuum Regularly
To keep fruit flies from returning, you’ll need to vacuum regularly. Once a week should be sufficient. By vacuuming regularly, you’ll remove any new eggs or larvae that might be present in your home.
Will Fruit Flies Survive When Vacuumed?
While fruit flies can survive being vacuumed, the odds are not in their favor. The powerful suction of a vacuum can cause severe damage to the delicate body of a fruit fly.
In addition, the fly will be subject to the intense pressure and heat of the vacuum’s motor, which can quickly lead to its death.Â
Even if the fruit fly manages to survive all of this, it will likely be deposited into a sealed garbage bag, quickly dying from a lack of food and water.
That is why it’s advisable to empty the garbage bag away from your house right after you’re done vacuuming. However, as mentioned above, if you don’t empty your canister or bag, and there is other trash inside, the flies could easily reproduce in there.
Can Fruit Flies Fly Out of a Vacuum Cleaner?
Another common concern among people who are thinking about using this method to get rid of fruit flies is whether or not they can fly out of the vacuum cleaner. The answer is relatively straightforward.
Fruit flies cannot fly out of a vacuum cleaner. Once a fruit fly is sucked into the vacuum, it will remain trapped inside until you empty the bag or canister.
That’s because the vacuum’s motor creates a powerful suction that prevents anything from escaping. So, if you’re worried about fruit flies flying out of your vacuum cleaner, you can rest assured that they won’t be able to escape.
Common Reasons Why You Encounter Fruit Flies InfestationÂ
Vacuuming fruit flies is a reasonable solution to get rid of an active infestation of flies buzzing around your kitchen.
But it doesn’t kill the eggs, so you may find the infestation has reignited after a few days.
You might be wondering what the reasons you’re having so many of these pesky creatures in your house are. Some of the common ones include the following;Â
1. Vegetables and Ripe fruits
If you have vegetables or fruits that are ripe and not properly refrigerated, this might be one of the reasons you have a fruit fly problem. These creatures are attracted to the sweetness of such items.Â
2. Trash Cans
Another reason for having these insects around is an unclean garbage can. If your trash can is full and there’s food residue, this will attract fruit flies. Ensure you clean your garbage cans regularly.
3. Dirty Sinks and Drains
Fruit flies (and drain flies) also like dirty sinks and drains because they’re usually moist and contain decaying organic matter.
If you don’t clean your sink properly, you might have a fruit fly infestation.
To avoid this, clean your sink regularly and use a drain cleaner to remove the build-up in your drains.
Factors to Consider When Picking a Vacuum Cleaner for Catching Fruit Flies
When choosing a vacuum to rid of fruit flies, there are three things you should keep in mind:Â
1. Suction Power
The suction is the most critical factor when picking a vacuum for catching fruit flies. The stronger the suction, the better. You want to ensure that the vacuum you choose has enough power to suck up these tiny insects.
2. Type
There are two main types of vacuums: canister and upright. Canister vacuums are more powerful, but they’re also more expensive. Upright vacuums are less powerful, but they’re cheaper.
3. Rotation Brush
A rotation brush will help to loosen the insects from surfaces, making them easier to vacuum up. If you’re planning on using your vacuum to catch fruit flies, make sure it has a rotation brush.
4. Bagless Vacuums are Not ideal.
Although bagless vacuums are more convenient in most cases, bag cleaners are better for fruit flies. You don’t have to worry about them breeding in your canister if you use a bag cleaner and throw out the bag!
Conclusion
You can vacuum fruit flies, and they will die eventually. Just make sure you properly dispose of the vacuum bag or canister contents, as the flies may well survive inside for a time.
And this is just part of the solution. You also need to target the source of the infestation to ensure that it goes away for good. Properly store all fruits and veggies, and clean the kitchen and bathrooms, particularly the drains.
