It’s fair to say that nobody likes having fruit flies in their home, with people always looking for new ways to deter the pests. The small, common pests are attracted to and breed on fermenting and overripe fruits and vegetables, sugary liquids and moist organic matter, which is why they like to hang around kitchens and garbage bins.
Even though they can be a pain, they aren’t harmful, though they can sometimes be a sign of unsanitary conditions. Generally, removing their food source and keeping areas clean will help to prevent and deter them but, if you’re having some trouble with them, there’s also another hack you can use.
It turns out all you need is a common fruit to aid the situation, according to a social media user. Jemma W shared the trick on TikTok, and it’s left people utterly stunned. It’s yet another method you can use to keep the pesky flies away.
In the clip, she used the trick to keep the flies away from dog food, but you can use it in other areas of the house too. For example, if fruit flies are in your kitchen a lot, simply put it near the impacted area.
Jemma said: « Look what my sister taught me yesterday. Apparently flies really hate lemon. Poke some cloves into a cut lemon. So my sister said she did that yesterday, and she said almost immediately the flies b******d off away from her dog’s food. »
In the comments, many people admitted they have issues with flies and fruit flies, but the hack can work for both. If you didn’t know, lemons can be used to help deter them by combining them with cloves or creating a trap.
The lemon-clove method works as the strong scents of limonene from the lemon and eugenol from the cloves are overwhelming to fruit flies. You can also make a trap by placing a lemon half in a container with a small hole in the lid, which attracts and traps the flies.
To use lemon and cloves as a natural repellent, there are a few things you need to do. Start by cutting a lemon in half, and then add several cloves into the cut surface.
Place the lemon halves near fruit bowls, sinks or any other areas where the flies gather. The mixture of scents will make it too overwhelming for the flies to stick around.
Replace the lemon and cloves every few days to ensure the method continues to work. Over time, the fruit will lose its potency.
Warning: Below video may contain offensive language
Each female fruit fly can lay around 500 eggs during their lifespan, with around 40 to 50 eggs laid each time. They lay their eggs on the surface of rotting or overripe fruit and vegetables, and can also breed in drains, bins, mop buckets and anywhere else with damp, decaying organic matter, Manchester Evening News reports.
If you are struggling to deter these pesky insects, experts also recommend simple and cost-effective ways to stop them from multiplying in your home. « Now is prime time for fruit flies, but thankfully, there are simple steps homeowners can take to keep them at bay, » an expert from Garden Buildings Direct previously said.
« Minimising food waste in indoor bins and cleaning surfaces are quick fixes, as are emptying standing waters and wiping down damp surfaces. Other easy tips to try include making a trap with apple cider vinegar and using natural deterrents near doors and windows to deter the bugs. »
There are various ways you can deter them without causing them any harm. Natural is the best way to go.
« Essential oils including eucalyptus, lavender, peppermint or citronella can all help, » the expert added. You can also pot up the plants and place them near doors and windows to deter the bugs.
