I’m sure we all know by now about the little pests called Fruit Flies. They come into your home from fruit you’ve bought at the grocery store, and they don’t intend to leave. In fact, they multiply! One becomes three, three becomes six, and so on and so on until you have a fruit fly infestation — well I say, no more! There are several ways to get rid of these pests and to keep them out for good. To clear up a common misconception, having fruit flies in your home does NOT mean your home is kept dirty, nor is it your fault by any means. So how do you keep these pesky yet harmless pests out of your home? Here are my 5 tips on how to keep them away for good!

#5 Clean your produce

You may recall a segment from The Social that went viral when Marci Len was shocked to find that her co-hosts didn’t clean their meat, leaving many women, particularly in the Black community, outraged. If you were raised in a Black home, this is the FIRST thing your mother taught you to do. You clean your meat to get rid of any bacteria, and you should also clean your produce before you put it away in your refrigerator. Not only to get rid of any harmful bacteria and chemicals which may be present, but to also eliminate larvae from fruit flies. If you keep your fruit and vegetables clean, you’re less likely to get fruit flies in your home.

#4 Drain the Sink

We use the sink for a lot in our kitchen, to wash dishes, clean things, and wash our hands. So when we constantly turn the faucet on all day, water can accumulate behind the faucet and around the sink — clean that up! Damp and wet areas are breeding grounds for fruit flies and other bugs. To keep away insects, keep your kitchen dry and don’t let dishwater sit overnight or all day.

#3 Take out the Garbage

When traveling to the dumpster to take out your garbage, it’s easy to notice how many flies and bugs surround it. The same can happen in your home if you don’t take your garbage out on the regular. That means daily if your garbage fills up quickly. If you throw away any leftovers from your refrigerator, or any rotting food, that should be taken out to the dumpster immediately.

#2 Apple Cider Vinegar

The Holy Grail for almost everything in health and beauty right now is ACV. Women use it on their hair and skin, and people in general drink a teaspoon a day for their health. But it is also good for fruit flies because they LOVE it. As soon as they smell it, they will rush over to it, and then they are as good as gone. All you have to do to get rid of them, is put some apple cider vinegar in a water bottle or cup. If using a water bottle create a paper funnel and put it at the top of the bottle to close it up. If using a cup, put saran wrap over the top of the cup and poke very tiny holes in it. Fruit flies will go into these traps for the ACV and never come out. These traps also work with wine or whiskey too.

#1 Inspect your Produce

It’s best to take the time to carefully pick your fruit and vegetables. You should be looking for any rotting that may have already started, any blemishes, any holes, and insects. Not only will you keep the fruit flies away, but also you will protect your family from getting sick. With the continued cases of people becoming ill from produce at the grocery store — most recently, E. coli from romaine lettuce — it’s better to be safe than sorry!

I hope you found these tips helpful in keeping fruit flies out this season, and useful all year round for the cleanliness and health of your home.