03.09.2024

Goodbye pesky vinegar lovers: homemade apple cider vinegar is your worst enemy

By Lilias

Don’t give fruit worms a chance – thanks to natural remedies, you can get rid of them very quickly and permanently. They will never come back.

Octomilks (  Drosophila  ), commonly known as fruit flies or vinegar flies, are common household pests. That’s because these tiny insects are attracted to  overripe or rotting fruits, vegetables, and other organic matter  , and thanks to their ability to reproduce rapidly, they can quickly infest a home. Although there are a number of chemical insecticides available on the market, many people prefer natural methods that are safer and more environmentally friendly. Get inspired.

How to get rid of fruit flies in the house

To start, clean your  kitchen  and other areas where you store fruits and vegetables that may attract flies. Also, make sure to remove all trash and get it out of the house completely, as flies can reside in it as well.

Apple cider vinegar collectors

Apple cider vinegar traps are a popular and effective way to get rid of fruit flies. To make this paste, simply  pour some apple cider vinegar into a glass or bowl  , cover it with plastic wrap, and poke a few small holes in the top. Octomilks will follow the scent of the vinegar and crawl into the holes in the jar, but they won’t be able to get back out. Red wine has a similar effect.

Making a soap paste

Soap paste, which is even easier to make, is also very effective. Mix a few drops of soap with a little water in a glass or a suitable container and  place it on the spot where the fruit flies are  . As soon as they reach the surface, they drown. The soap disrupts the surface tension of the water, causing the fruit flies to sink and subsequently drown very quickly.

Essential oils repel fruit flies

You can also opt for scents that repel these nasty insects. For example, essential oils of eucalyptus, mint, and tea tree oil are of great help.  These are natural repellents and can also be used to repel  fruit flies from your kitchen. And how to use them? Simply mix a few drops of essential oil with water in a spray bottle and spray where you want to reduce their appearance. And repellent with vinegar and dish soap has a very similar effect.

Just mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle, add a few drops of dish soap and shake well. Spray the solution on areas where fruit flies are found. Of the other distinctive smells,  fruit lovers are most bothered by, for example, the aroma of various herbs  and spices: basil, rosemary and  cinnamon  . They will also help you against ladybugs, whose larvae hatch in pots with indoor plants. However, you have to mix this spice into the substrate.

The first step in the fight against fruit flies

However, you can get rid of the first major invasion of flies simply with the help of a vacuum cleaner, which can also suck them out of the air. Just make sure to empty the vacuum cleaner immediately after use to prevent the fruit lovers from escaping again.