No matter where you reside in Britain, fruit flies can propagate at alarming speeds on your kitchen counters or inside your waste bin. While they can show up at any time of year, they often emerge during Summer and Autumn - due to their attraction to ripe or rotting food.
Disturbingly, an adult female fruit fly can lay 2,000 eggs on any surface that is rotting and moist and have tiny maggots hatching within 30 hours. Two days later, these pests are fully grown and prepared to mate.
Research demonstrates that fruit flies can transfer germs from dirty surfaces onto clean ones, transferring bacteria such as E.coli, salmonella, and listeria - which pose huge risks of food poisoning which can even result in hospitalisation.
To keep you safe, here are ten expert-recommended ways to get rid of fruit flies - including preventative strategies so they never appear in your house at all.
9. Throw out any and all overripe produce
Discard any organic produce that is too ripe or rotting (especially as there is a good chance this may already be hosting fruit fly eggs.) Check all fruits and vegetables for any evidence of decay, rot, or being overripe. By disposing of these items quickly, you physically remove any existing eggs and remove the possibility for a female fruit fly to lay new eggs on their surfaces. Photo: Kzenon (Canva Pro)
10. Desperate? Purchase a product designed to eliminate fruit flies
If you are in dire straits with your fruit flies then consider employing expert advice or remedies targeted to eliminating the pests. There are many highly rated products available to wipe out fruit flies effectively e.g., FlyPunch Non-Toxic Fruit Fly Trap, Katchy Indoor Insect Trap, Eco Defense Home Pest Control Spray, Fruit Fly BarPro Fly Strips. You can find all of these items via Amazon. Photo: JackF (Getty Images)