how to get rid of fruit flies with lemon [DIY Solutions]

How to get rid of fruit flies with lemon! Ah, the humble lemon – not only does it zest up our drinks and dishes, but it can also be a nifty ally in our never-ending battle against pesky fruit flies.

These tiny invaders have a knack for appearing out of nowhere, turning our fruit bowls into their playgrounds. But did you know that lemons can play a role in keeping fruit flies at bay?

While lemons aren’t the silver bullet for complete eradication, they can be an effective part of a broader strategy to deter and manage these tiny insects. Curious about how to get rid of fruit flies with lemon? Read on!

How to get rid of fruit flies with lemon

If fruit flies are taking over your kitchen, it’s time for a tangy intervention. While many remedies exist, lemons offer a delightful, nice-smelling approach to keeping these insects at bay.

Here’s a breakdown of a simple yet effective method to use lemons and an optional hint of cloves to deter fruit flies from your kitchen and living spaces.

1. Half a Lemon Repellent for Fruit Flies

Materials:

• A couple of fresh lemons
• A knife
• A small bowl or dish
• Cloves (optional)

Method:

1. Slice: Cut the lemons into halves.
2. Squeeze: Squeeze a little bit of juice from each half into the bowl, just enough to get the surface wet.
3. Insert Cloves (optional): If you have cloves on hand, insert them into the lemon halves. This intensifies the repellent effect and is an additional deterrent for the fruit flies.
4. Position: Position the lemon halves (with the cut side up) around your home, especially near fruit baskets, kitchen counters, or any area where fruit flies are frequent.
5. Replace: The lemons will dry out over time, or the scent will diminish. Replace them as necessary.

The strong scent of lemon, especially when combined with cloves, is a repellent for fruit flies. While this method will help deter them, it may not completely get rid of an infestation.

For the best results, you might need to complement this method with other approaches like vinegar traps (we’ll talk about those below) and making sure that your ripe fruits are stored appropriately.

Read more: Is mango a citrus fruit?

2. Lemon Soap Trap

Got fruit flies buzzing around? The lemon soap trap is a simple DIY solution to help get rid of them. Here’s how to set it up:

1. Prepare Your Bowl: Select a shallow bowl – preferably clear or white. This will allow the fruit flies to spot the liquid easily.
2. Add Water: Pour water into the bowl, filling it about halfway. The water will serve as the primary attractant because of its reflective surface.
3. Add Soap: Introduce a few drops of lemon-scented dish soap to the water. This citrus aroma mimics the scent of ripe fruits, which is a primary attraction for fruit flies.
4. Mix: Gently stir the mixture to ensure the soap is well-distributed in the water.
5. Placement: For the best results, place the bowl near areas where fruit flies are most common, like next to a fruit bowl or garbage bin.

How to get rid of fruit flies with lemon soap traps? Here’s how it works. While the lemon scent works to draw the fruit flies in, the soap plays a crucial role in the trap.

Dish soap reduces the surface tension of the water, which prevents the fruit flies from simply landing and taking off. Instead, they get trapped by the soapy water and can’t escape.

Regularly check the trap, dispose of the captured flies, and refresh the mixture as needed. The best part is that it uses materials commonly found in households, making it a convenient and cost-effective solution.

3. Lemon Vinegar Trap

Mixing lemon with the strong smell of vinegar is a great way to trap fruit flies. Here’s how this two-part method works:

1. Grab a Bowl: Choose a shallow, clear bowl or dish.
2. Blend: Begin by pouring equal amounts of fresh lemon juice and vinegar into the bowl. This combination has a strong aroma that’ll remind you of overripe fruits, which proves irresistible to fruit flies. Lemon provides a fresh, citrusy scent, and vinegar offers a fermented smell, which mimicks the fruits and foods they’re naturally attracted to.
3. Add Soap: Add a drop or two of dish soap. This isn’t just for added scent; it also acts as a surfactant, reducing the water’s surface tension. As a result, instead of landing and possibly floating on the surface, fruit flies become ensnared and find it nearly impossible to escape.
4. Stir: Gently swirl the contents of the bowl to ensure the soap disperses evenly without creating too many bubbles.
5. Placement: To maximize the trap’s effectiveness, place it in areas frequently visited by fruit flies.
6. Maintenance: Monitor your trap daily. As it fills up with trapped flies, periodically empty the contents and whip up a fresh batch of the mixture.

4. Lemon Spray

This is one of the easiest methods to try!

Fill a spray bottle with equal parts water and lemon juice. You can spritz this around areas where fruit flies hang out. The strong citrus smell will repel the flies, and it’s safe to use around food and dining areas.

5. Lemon Peel Pouches

Put some dried lemon peels in small pouches made from thin cloth or mesh material. Place these pouches around the home. Not only will it give a fresh aroma, but it’ll also deter fruit flies.

6. Burn Lemon Essential Oil

Use a diffuser or oil burner and add a few drops of lemon essential oil. The scent diffused into the air will keep fruit flies away.

Tips for Repelling fruit flies

A few more tips to keep fruit flies away, without the use of chemicals:

1. Clean Up: Wipe down surfaces and clean up any food spills quickly. Fruit flies love leftovers!
2. Fresh Basil: Keep a pot of fresh basil near fruit or windows. The scent drives fruit flies away.
3. Keep Fruit in the Fridge: If fruit flies are a real nuisance, store fruits in the fridge till the issue clears up.
4. Clear Drains: Sometimes, fruit flies breed in sink drains (eek!). Pouring boiling water or a mix of baking soda and vinegar can help clear that out.
5. Wine Trick: Leave a little wine at the bottom of a bottle. The sweet smell attracts them, and they get trapped inside.
6. Tidy the Trash: Make sure your trash cans have lids and take out the garbage regularly.
7. Mesh Screens: If they’re coming in from outside, consider adding or repairing screens on windows and doors.
8. Quick Compost: If you compost, make sure to turn it regularly and keep it covered.

Remember, consistency is key! Keep at these tricks, and you’ll see fewer fruit flies in no time.