There is no doubt that fruit flies are a nuisance. You often see them scattering as you move around the kitchen to cook, they gather on your counters, and perch on your fruit basket, impregnating your overripe fruit.
You can push them away, but they don’t disappear for long.Â
So, what do fruit flies hate?
- Certain scents repel fruit flies
- Lavender is not liked by fruit flies
- The color blue doesn’t appeal to these flies
But this may not be the right question! You may want to consider: what do fruit flies love and how can you use that to your advantage?
Fruit flies are a pain and are best eradicated. You can deter fruit flies with the tips below and keep them away for good.
What Are Fruit Flies?
There are a lot of tiny household pests, including fruit flies, fleas, and gnats, which can be a real problem to deal with. These flies are a pest all year long, which is particularly problematic in late fall and summer.
Red eyes, brown bodies, and small size are all characteristics of fruit flies. If you’re wondering if you’ve got fruit flies or fleas, see here. Â
What Do Fruit Flies Hate?
Let’s take a look at scents and objects that fruit flies don’t like.
1. Lavender
Lavender smells great, and is often used in home air fresheners and essential oils.
As well as perfume and cologne, lavender is also used as a car air freshener. Unfortunately, despite its delightful and refreshing scent, it has a scent that fruit flies seem to strongly dislike, making it a nightmare for them.
Consider purchasing lavender essential oil as a fruit fly deterrent.
After doing so, combine some drops with water in a spray bottle. Spraying in areas prone to fruit flies will soon deter them.
The essential oil can also be used in a diffuser. There is an advantage to both methods, plus it smells amazing to humans!
2. Citronella Oil
One of the best products is the Green Gobbler Gel. Using citronella in this form will deter fruit flies at the source. In contrast to the other scents, this one does something special.
Green Gobbler gel works best when you take one cup and slowly tip it down the drain. Do this after your last use of the drain.
As citronella oil is present in the gel, it will coat and adhere to the insides of the pipes. As a result of this process, not only will fruit flies be eliminated, but it will also drastically reduce the source of fruit flies.
It’s a better choice for drain infestations than bleach.
3. Rosemary
Rosemary is a deliciously smelly herb. The leaves emit a heady aroma that repels flies and makes you want to eat pasta (maybe that’s just us!).
Winter is no problem; if the temperatures dip below freezing frequently, protect it indoors. The combination of this herb with bay leaves is a natural way to repel fruit flies; it has a strong scent that repels them.
4. The Color Blue
According to scientists, fruit flies generally avoid blue light, favoring green light instead. So if you have problem areas outside, install some blue light globes in those areas to help deter flies away.
5. Cinnamon
 In addition to being one of the most effective fly-repellent scents, cinnamon deters flies naturally. Unfortunately, flies can be poisoned by some of its components, and they can’t handle the overwhelming smell.
While cinnamon-scented candles won’t suffice, some other methods will.
6. Cinnamon Sticks
Grab yourself some cinnamon sticks and pop them into a jar or vase. It needs to be something that doesn’t have a lid.
To properly diffuse large rooms, more sticks will be needed. Nevertheless, the scent is an effective fly repellent, effectively controlling fly infestations. Since sticks eventually dry out, make sure to swap them out every few weeks.
7. Cinnamon Essential Oil
Get your room smelling warm with cinnamon oil. It is possible to create a handy cinnamon spray for flies by mixing cinnamon essential oil in a water bottle. Deter flies from gathering in problem areas by spraying the mixture there.
8. Mint
This means all mints, such as sweet mint, peppermint, and spearmint. In addition to mentha, these plants also contain eugenol, which helps them repel insects, most commonly fruit flies.
There is no difference between dried or fresh mint regarding their aroma, even though essential oils have a much stronger aroma. The essential oil of mint can repel insects when sprayed, rubbed on the skin, or have it sitting near you.
There is no difference between dried or fresh mint regarding their aroma, even though essential oils have a much stronger aroma.
How to Prevent Fruit Flies
1. Clean Your Produce
You can catch fruit flies on your produce while it is still in the field, particularly in melons and bananas. Washing produce before leaving it on the counter is therefore important. There is a vegetable spray that you can use to clean your vegetables to remove bugs and bacteria.
To rid your food of flies and their eggs, do it soon after you return from the store.
2. Dishcloths and Sponges Should Be Changed Regularly
Due to the fact that fruit flies are drawn to smells and food, you want to keep your benchtops and food clean. These common household items can breed fruit flies. Doesn’t that sound gross? Think about all the things you use your sponges and dishcloths for. Keeping them clean seems like common sense.
3. Toss Rotten Food
If you see those bananas or tomatoes on the counter are going, toss them before you get an infestation. The longer you ignore the ripening process, the worse the fruit fly infestation will eventually be!
4. Cover Your Food Up
As an added precaution, keep fruit bowls covered if you leave them on counters or tables. Fruit flies won’t be attracted to your produce if you use a cake dome or plastic wrap.
The fruit smell won’t be as strong, and they won’t be able to access the fruit. The wrap can be easily removed when you want to indulge in a healthy snack.Â
Fruit flies won’t be attracted to your produce if you use a cake dome or plastic wrap as the fruit smell won’t be as strong.
It’s always a good idea to store fruits and veggies in the fridge, when you can. Though keep in mind that fruit flies can survive in the fridge for 8 or 9 hours, so they won’t immediately die if you put food in the fridge.
4. Fruit Flies Can Be Trapped With Dish Soap
Fruit flies hate some smells, but they love other smells: sweet stuff like alcohol, rotting fruit, and vinegar!
Pour vinegar into a cup with a lid, and add dish soap. You might be surprised, but vinegar attracts fruit flies, and the detergent will drown them. Cover the cup but drill some holes in the lid so the fruit flies can get in.
They will have a harder time getting out, and will eventually die.
Almost every household uses vinegar and detergent for daily purposes. Most likely you won’t need to rush to the shops or break the bank purchasing these items. Make sure you don’t leave this mixture around where children and pets can access it.
Conclusion
There are some scents that fruit flies hate: lavender, cinnamon, mint, etc. But there are some scents they love, too. Use a combination of the two to deter them and to attract them to a trap, and your fruit flies will be gone in short order.
Say goodbye to your fruit fly problem, once and for all. Good luck!
