- Cat litter boxes can attract fruit flies when left uncleaned for an extended period.<\/li>
- Fruit flies can be exterminated professionally or via a number of simple DIY traps.<\/li>
- Pet food<\/a> and litter is often left out for long periods of time. This attracts fruit flies and other pests.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
But all hope is not lost. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are ways that you can rid your pet\u2019s litter box of those disturbing fruit flies and live with peace of mind in your home again. We\u2019ll find out how to do just that in this article. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Read on for the full comprehensive guide.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nCleansing Your Litter Box of Fruit Flies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/pestqueen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/5993444_cat-e1663691736762-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe unfortunate truth about litter boxes is that they attract many insects, including fruit flies, which can be very uncomfortable for your pets. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As a result, your pets might stop using the litter box and start doing their business around the house!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fruit flies could be introduced into your home from your pet\u2019s litter if they have ingested the eggs at any point, though adult fruit flies can also lay their eggs in the litter. If you don\u2019t replace the litter frequently, the fruit flies will have a chance to hatch and pupate in the box. They multiply very rapidly.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Adult fruit flies can lay their eggs in the litter.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Organic matter, like grass clippings, fruits, and vegetables, also attracts these pesky bugs, who also tend to hover around the litter box in search of moisture<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
So how do you get rid of them?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nCleaning the box<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/pestqueen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/36216000_cat-exiting-litter-box-scaled-e1663692063994-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nTo start dealing with an infestation of fruit flies, you\u2019ll need to first empty and clean the litter box every day<\/em>. Place it in a well-ventilated area that is cool and dry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you have any potted plants, ensure that they\u2019re well away from your pet\u2019s litter box. If you happen to have a fungus gnat infestation rather than a fruit fly<\/a> infestation, they will attack your plants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also, ensure that there are no trash bins in sight, and consider screening your windows and doors with a fine mesh.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You should wash and sanitize your pet\u2019s litter box thoroughly at least once a month. Using a solution of 1:10 bleach and water works quite well for this. Once you\u2019ve bleached the box, you can scoop any fruit flies within the pan and remove them.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Placing a mixture of soap and apple cider vinegar next to the litter box can work as a repellent for the fruit flies. This mixture traps the flies that make their way to the box as they are attracted to the scent of the vinegar, while the soap traps the bugs in the solution.\u00a0See our article on fruit fly traps here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nDealing With a Fruit Fly Infestation – How it\u2019s Done<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re sick of fruit flies buzzing around your fresh fruits and vegetables, then it\u2019s time to evict them from your home. Here are some ways that you can get rid of these pests:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Locate the source<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The first step in exterminating a fruit fly infestation is to determine the source of the flies<\/a>. If they are buzzing around any open food items, be sure to throw that food away and do a thorough scrub of the area. They may well have laid their eggs in<\/a> whatever food they’re flying around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can use any cleaning agent to disinfect the area, and in many cases, removing their \u2018home\u2019 is enough to drive all of the flies away.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Clean common fruit fly spots<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Once you have located the source, check your kitchen sink\u2019s drain<\/a>. If it is clogged or needs to be cleaned, there\u2019s no time like the present to deal with it. Fruit flies love nothing more than to populate damp, warm areas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You should also remember to check your trash cans for any fruit fly activity. These bugs are known to breed in garbage, and if they manage to get into your trash cans, the situation can become much worse. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you find that fruit flies are swarming your trash, or you want to prevent this from happening, take the trash out and wipe the bin down using a potent cleaner. Bleach works best – just remember to ensure that the can is completely dry before you use it again. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. Create a fruit fly trap<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If you have any leftover red wine you don\u2019t plan on finishing, then you can use it to create an effective trap for these nasty flies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Start by pouring some dish soap and red wine into a disposable container, and mix the two together. <\/li>
- Cover the container up using plastic wrap<\/li>
- Pole small holes in the wrap. These holes need to be big enough for the fruit flies to enter.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
The sweet fragrance of the wine will attract the flies<\/a>, and the combination of dish soap and wine will make it impossible for the flies to fly again once they\u2019ve touched the solution. They\u2019ll drown and die, and you can repeat this process until you no longer see any flies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
4. Use rotting fruit to your advantage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If fruit flies are still bothering you, then you can create a trap using some leftovers that may already be in your kitchen. This includes any open or rotting foods that attract the flies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Rather than throwing your spoiled food away, put it in a disposable container.\u00a0<\/li>
- Cover the container with plastic wrap.<\/li>
- Poke some fly-sized holes in the wrap.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
The flies will swarm to the trap and climb inside to get to the food. Once they\u2019re stuck in there, you can dispose of them however you want. Repeat this process until you don\u2019t see any more flies in your home.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
5. Consider a Fruit Fly Zapper<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Yes, there are home fruit fly zappers available<\/a>! Technically they use sticky fly paper rather than the electric current common on most bug zappers<\/a>, but they work well!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
6. Hire an exterminator<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re too repulsed by the fruit flies, rotting food, or infested cat litter, then you could always hire an exterminator, though we recommend you save this as an absolute last resort. Exterminators are certainly very effective, but they can be quite expensive as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s more, you and your pets may have unpleasant reactions to any chemicals that the exterminator uses when dealing with the flies. If you find that the flies return after an exterminator has treated your home, you should be able to get another treatment for free, or at least at a reduced cost. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nMaking Sure That Fruit Flies Stay Gone<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If you want to avoid another fruit fly infestation in the future, ensure that your good storage spaces are kept dry and clean. Once you have opened food or have taken a few bites of it, never leave it out anywhere. Store it in your refrigerator or your pantry.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also, take your garbage out regularly and clean up any spills that may be in your trash bins. After an infestation of fruit flies has started, it can take anywhere from a couple of days to several weeks for them all to be exterminated, and this can be an incredibly frustrating process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By being proactive and taking the necessary steps to dispose of trash and keep your home clean, you\u2019ll save yourself so much time and effort that would otherwise be spent dealing with a nasty fruit fly infestation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nFruit Flies & Your Health<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/pestqueen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/34549052_fruit-fly-on-a-blade-of-grass-in-the-meadow-e1662560270270-1024x680.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nIf left untreated, an infestation of fruit flies could become a severe annoyance. There are some who argue potential risks to your health<\/a>, but really, these claims are pretty overblown. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, fruit flies are infamous for flying around and picking up bacteria, which they then later deposit onto the fresh foods that they breed in. And yes, they are particularly attracted to human and animal excrement that can contain harmful viruses like E. Coli and Salmonella. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But there are no records of people getting sick from fruit flies. Could it happen? Of course. Could a meteor hit you? Yep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you’re looking for something to worry about, you could find some better things to give you anxiety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Get rid of fruit flies because they are annoying pests, not because they’re going to make you ill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Get rid of fruit flies because they are annoying pests, not because they’re going to make you ill.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nWhere Do Fruit Flies Come From?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/pestqueen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Depositphotos_12202081_L-e1663075616649-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhile it often seems as though fruit flies appear from thin air, the truth is that they didn\u2019t get their name for nothing! Fruit flies are drawn to fermenting vegetables and fruits and thrive on substances that are high in fructose. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/pestqueen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/47290678_two-funny-cats-lying-together-on-the-couch-at-home.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/pestqueen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/21529166_cat-and-litter-box-1024x691.jpg\")
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