How To Get Rid Of Fruit Flies In The Garbage Disposal

Drain flies, fruit flies, and gnats are three pesky creatures that love to linger in your kitchen. Swatting them away is irritating, and no matter what you do, they always seem to come back. Cooking in a kitchen where these bugs are plentiful is disconcerting at best. 

So, how do you get rid of the annoying little creatures? This article will clue you in on the tips and tricks to get rid of them and keep them away, so keep reading to learn more!

How Do You Get Rid Of Drain Flies?

Getting rid of drain flies, fruit flies, or gnats requires a few ingredients. Some brands sell drain cleaners that specifically target flies or gnats in the drain, so you could use one of those. However, if you want a quick way to get rid of the flies, here’s what you’ll need:

• Salt
• Baking soda
• Vinegar
• Bleach (optional)
• Water

In a medium-sized bowl, mix together ½ cup of salt, ½ cup of baking soda, and one cup of vinegar. Dump the mixture down the drain, then allow it to sit for at least six hours. Once the time is up, pour hot water down the drain to flush away the residual mixture. 

Alternatively, you can use half of a gallon of water and one cup of vinegar or bleach. Mix the two together, then pour it down the drain. As with the other mixture, allow it to sit for six hours, then rinse with warm water. 

You may need to repeat the process a few times to eliminate all of the flies or gnats. 

What Can I Pour Down The Drain To Kill Fruit Flies?

There are a few things you can pour down the drain to kill fruit flies. While you could opt for a powerful, knock-your-socks-off kind of cleaner, they’re usually not very friendly to your drains and plumbing. 

So, if you have issues with drain flies, gnats, or fruit flies in your garbage disposal, mix up a quick concoction of ingredients to get rid of the creatures. The ingredients we mentioned in the last section should do the trick for getting rid of the flies. 

Does Pouring Boiling Water Down The Drain Kill Fruit Flies?

Boiling water will usually do the trick to kill fruit flies hanging out in your garbage disposal. While this method can kill the offending creatures and help loosen food particle build-up, boiling water shouldn’t go down your drain. 

Certain types of plumbing, especially PVC pipes, may melt with exposure to boiling water. So, it’s best to steer clear of boiling water as a solution and find something else instead. 

How To Prevent Fruit Fly Infestations

Generally, fruit flies, drain flies, and gnats flock to areas with rotting food. Fruit flies will happily linger around bowls of fruit on the counter, while gnats love spoiling organic materials, so they generally hang out by the trash can. 

Drain flies flock around your dishwasher, your laundry room, or in the bathroom shower or sink drains. In addition to being a nuisance, these flies can spread bacteria. Luckily, keeping them away isn’t hard. 

Keep The Area Clean

Rotting and decomposing food is a beacon to flies and gnats. So, stay on top of cleaning to keep them at bay. After eating, clean up leftover food and miscellaneous food scraps immediately. 

Try to refrain from leaving piles of dirty dishes in the sink, as this is a perfect, moist breeding ground for fruit flies. Wipe down counters and tables where you eat regularly, ensuring food scraps aren’t left behind. 

In addition, keep the drains and drain traps clean. Even if the sink looks clean, residual food could be caught in the drain or pipes. If you keep everything else clean but still have an issue with the flies, the drain may be the issue. 

A metal pipe brush and hot water can be a great way to clean the pipe lining. This helps get rid of any residual food stuck to the inside of the pipe. 

Clean the garbage disposal regularly to prevent smells and ensure food isn’t caught in the canister. Sprinkle half of a cup of baking soda in the opening of the disposal. Follow up with one cup of white vinegar. Allow it to bubble and react for about ten minutes. Then, turn on the disposal and run hot water to rinse away residue. 

To help with smells, you can use chopped citrus peels. However, don’t plop them in the drain and let them sit, as that will only aggravate the fruit fly issue. Chop orange or lemon peels into small pieces, then grind them in the disposal. The citrus oil from the peels leaves a lovely, fragrant aroma, getting rid of any pungent odors. 

Make sure you finely chop the citrus peels, as long peels can wrap around the drain and cause issues. Small bits of citrus peels shouldn’t be an issue, but large quantities can become problematic. 

Set Up DIY Fruit Fly Traps

Build your own little fruit fly traps with a few simple ingredients. This is a great way to keep the flies at bay, especially if you regularly have fruit on your counters. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Apple cider vinegar
• Plastic wrap
• Bowl or glass

The vinegar attracts fruit flies, so use this to your advantage. Fill a bowl or glass partially with apple cider vinegar. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap. For extra security, wrap a rubber band around the mouth of the jar or lip of the bowl. 

Poke tiny holes in the top with a toothpick. This will lure in and trap the flies, so they shouldn’t cause you any issues.