Experts urge food waste checks to stop fruit flies

When a few fruit flies get into your home, they will start to multiply quickly and can be impossible to fully remove.

With many homes now having to use a food waste bin, it is likely you will see more fruit flies popping up.

Experts are urging people to take extra care with their food waste to stop their homes being invaded by the pests.

You should check your home for the source of the problem to get rid of fruit flies. (Image: Getty)

One simple check you can do to stop fruit flies invading your home

Acorn Environment Services is telling people to be extra careful with their food waste and overripe fruit throughout September.

These things can become the perfect breeding ground for fruit flies and can leave you with hundreds in your home.

John Whiteley-Wilkinson, Managing Director at Acorn Environment Services, said: “September is a time when we can still experience relatively warm conditions, and that can help fruit flies remain active inside the home.

“One of the most common causes is simply leaving fruit for too long.

“A banana, apple or other piece of produce that has started to become overripe can quickly become attractive to fruit flies.”

Acorn has advised that if you spot fruit flies in your home, you need to check your home for the source of the problem.

There are several areas that people are urged to check for fruit flies, including fruit bowls containing overripe or damaged produce, drains and other areas around sinks, and any spills underneath appliances and cupboards.

You should also check your bins, including in the kitchen and food waste and any recycling with sugary residue inside.

Potatoes, onions, and other produce stored out of sight can also attract fruit flies.

John added: “People often remove the fruit flies they can see and assume the problem has gone, but if the source is still there, they can continue to appear.

“Bins, recycling and forgotten food underneath appliances are easy places to miss, particularly if there is sugary or fermenting residue present.

“Fruit flies do not need a large amount of food to become a nuisance.

“Small amounts of juice, alcohol, damaged fruit or other organic matter can potentially attract them.”

Have you ever struggled with fruit flies in your home and how did you get rid of them? Let us know in the comments.