Are fruit flies coming out your drains? Once they have settled in, these unwanted guests know how to extend their stay. There are different ways to get rid of them in your home and prevent them from coming back. In this article, we’ll talk about bleach, which is commonly used in the battle against fruit flies, as well as other DIY methods.
Do fruit flies hate bleach?
Yes, fruit flies cannot tolerate bleach. As is the case with all insects, fruit flies do not have lungs and instead breathe from tiny little openings in their exoskeletons. They do not want to be breathing in bleach. It’s a good repellent, as flies will stay clear of bleach, but it’s generally unpractical as an eradication method.
Will bleach kill fruit flies in drains?
Bleach is commonly used to try to get rid of fruit flies in drains, but many experts present these methods as ineffective. It is true that fruit flies do not tolerate bleach, and ingesting it will kill them. But the reason the flies are in the drains in the first place is because of the thick grime coating the pipes, serving as both a breeding ground and a source of food and moisture.
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When bleach and other chemicals are poured into the drain, the flies and their larvae will detect the scent and burrow into the gunky debris, shielding themselves from the harsh chemicals. So while it might kill a few individuals, and get rid of quite a few eggs, it won’t do much to get rid of them in large numbers, or long-term.
How do I get rid of fruit flies in my drain with bleach?
It is generally disadvised to use bleach in your drains, as bleach is corrosive and might damage them. The toxic fumes in your kitchen are also a reason to avoid bleach. But if you’ve exhausted all other home methods and have tried with DIY traps to no avail, simply pour a bit of bleach down the drain before flushing it down with boiling water.
You could also just use bleach diluted in the water. Be very careful and don’t mix any other products with the bleach, as you may create toxic fumes.
How much bleach does it take to kill fruit flies?
It would take a considerable amount of bleach to notice a tangible effect. Bleach isn’t very effective when it comes to dissolving the gunk coating your drains. The flies and larvae burrow into it, and even if it did manage to kill them all, more would come back later.
How do I get rid of fruit flies without apple cider vinegar?
Apple cider vinegar a perfect attractant, as fruit flies go crazy for the sweet, fermenting scent. But it’s not the only thing you can use to trap them. Anything fermenting and fruity would do the job, including any fruit juice, beer, wine, or even a piece of ripe fruit. Another traditional attractant is milk and honey, they can’t resist it!
Use these attractants in traps by pouring them in a bowl or container and seeling it with cling wrap. Then poke holes in the wrap, just large enough for the flies to slip into. They won’t be able to resists, and will end up drowning or stuck in the container. As you can see, , all it takes is a few natural ingredients, easily found at home or in stores, to get rid of these insects. The disadvantage? It won’t stop their friends from coming back!
The homemade fruit fly trap is not always effective in the long-term, especially if you haven’t reacted quickly enough and you have a real fruit fly infestation in your home. In such a case, you need to use more radical methods. Chemical agents are a good alternative, taking a few days to get rid of the problem once and for all.
And to prevent them from coming back, you have to maintain a clean house. Make sure your counter is clean and dry. Don’t leave any left overs out in the open. Seal your garbage can and empty it out as soon as it’s full. Clean your drains properly. Proper sanitation and disinfection of the kitchen and dining room helps to minimize contamination and offers the benefit of preventing harmful fruit fly infestations.
It is important to remove any soft or overripe fruits and vegetables, and to empty and clean the waste area regularly. It is also important to keep garbage cans and waste containers clean. The use of a treatment that reduces microorganisms by attacking bad odours and digesting organic matter is a particularly effective way to optimize the cleaning properties of solutions.
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