How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies in the Kitchen

If you’ve ever walked into your kitchen and been greeted by a cloud of tiny flies, you already know how annoying fruit flies can be. They seem to appear out of nowhere, multiply overnight, and refuse to leave. The good news is, fruit flies are very beatable once you understand what’s attracting them and how to deal with them properly.

Let’s break it down, GoCleanCo style: practical, effective, and no nonsense.

Why Fruit Flies Love Your Kitchen

Fruit flies are drawn to anything fermenting or sugary, which is why kitchens are usually ground zero. Overripe fruit on the counter, sticky spills you don’t even notice anymore, garbage and recycling, empty wine bottles, and compost bins all attract them. Once they find a food source, they lay eggs quickly, and those eggs hatch quickly, which is why fruit flies seem to multiply overnight. Knowing how to get rid of fruit flies starts with understanding that if you don’t find the source, no amount of fruit fly traps will solve the problem for good.

That said, kitchens aren’t the only place they show up. Fruit flies also love laundry rooms, bathrooms, and anywhere with drains, garbage, recycling, or forgotten spills. If you’re seeing them outside the kitchen, the same rules apply: remove the food source and clean the problem area thoroughly.

First Things First: Remove the Source

Before you set traps or try any DIY solution, you need to cut off the fruit flies’ food supply. Otherwise, you’re just playing whack-a-mole. This step matters more than any fruit fly trap you’ll use.

Do this right away:

• Toss overripe fruit or move fruit into the fridge
• Wash all fruit as soon as you bring it home (even bananas)
• Take out the garbage and recycling daily until the problem is gone
• Rinse bottles and cans before they go into the recycling bin
• Wipe down counters, backsplashes, and around appliances with hot soapy water
• Check for hidden spills, especially under the fruit bowl, near the coffee station, and around the sink

Option 1: The Zevo Plug-In Trap (Sarah’s Go-To)

If you want a low-effort, plug-it-in-and-forget-it option, Sarah swears by the Zevo® plug-in flying insect trap (USA) (Canada). It uses a blue light to attract fruit flies in the kitchen and traps them on a disposable adhesive cartridge. No odors, no chemicals, and no gross liquid sitting on your counter.

You simply plug it in close to where flies are most active, think fruit bowls, garbage areas, or near the sink, and let it do its thing. This is very much a “set it and forget it” solution, which is why Sarah loves it. It’s especially handy if you’re dealing with a recurring issue or want something kid and pet-friendly that doesn’t involve open liquid traps.

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Option 2: DIY Fruit Fly Traps (Vinegar or Wine)

This is the classic DIY fruit fly trap, and yes, it actually works when you do it properly. Sarah’s take is simple: use what you already have. Apple cider vinegar is the usual go-to, but leftover wine works just as well. Fruit flies aren’t picky.

How to make it:

• Pour about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar or a small splash of wine into a bowl, jar, or glass
• Add 1 to 2 drops of dish soap (this is key, it breaks the surface tension so they can’t escape)
• Leave it uncovered, or loosely cover with plastic wrap and poke a few small holes

Set it near where flies are most active, fruit bowls, recycling, or the sink. You should start seeing results within a day.

Important: Change it every couple of days. Once it’s full of flies, it’s done its job.

Option 3: Drain Clean-Out (Don’t Skip This)

If fruit flies keep coming back, your sink drain might be the problem. They love the organic buildup inside, especially if food particles have collected over time.

Do this at night, when the sink won’t be used again:

• Slowly pour a full kettle or a small pot of boiling water down the drain
• Sprinkle about 1/2 cup of baking soda directly into the drain
• Follow with 1 cup of white vinegar
• Let the mixture fizz and work for 10 to 15 minutes
• Pour another full kettle or pot of boiling water down the drain to flush everything out

Don’t skip that final rinse. It helps wash away loosened debris.

💡 GoCleanCo Pro-Tip: Don’t stop at the sink! Fruit flies love the organic gunk and standing water trapped inside your dishwasher filter. If you’re doing a drain clean-out, make sure you use our step-by-step guide to deep clean your dishwasher to completely eliminate their hiding spots.

How to Prevent Fruit Flies From Coming Back

Once they’re gone, a few small habits make a big difference, and this is where staying consistent really pays off. Store fruit in the fridge during warm months, wash all fruit as soon as you bring it home, take garbage and compost out frequently, and rinse recycling before it goes in the bin. Wipe up spills immediately, especially juice, wine, or syrup, and do a quick sink rinse and wipe at night. Fruit flies thrive on neglect, consistency keeps them away.

A Quick Note on Fungus Gnats

If your “fruit flies” are dark, skinny, and hanging out around houseplants instead of food, you may be dealing with fungus gnats. Vinegar traps won’t help much here. Fungus gnats live and breed in damp soil, so letting plants dry out between waterings, switching to bottom watering, and using sticky traps (USA) (Canada) near plants are far more effective.

The Bottom Line

Fruit flies are annoying, but they’re not mysterious. Remove the food source, pick a fruit fly trap that fits your lifestyle, and stay on top of cleaning hot spots.

If you want simple and mess-free, the Zevo plug-in trap (USA) (Canada) is a solid choice and Sarah-approved. If you prefer DIY, vinegar and wine traps absolutely get the job done when paired with proper cleaning.

If flies are driving you crazy outside as well, don’t worry. We’ve broken down exactly how to deal with flies in outdoor garbage and compost bins here.