How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies Fast

by Jessica 38 Comments

Fruit flies or gnats can be one of the most annoying pests in your home. They can come in to your home via the fruits, vegetable and plants you bring home and can be a complete pain to get rid of. The truth is, you can get rid of fruit flies fast with a couple of household ingredients in very little time!

I have to be honest, fruit flies have been an enemy of mine for many years. I usually start to notice them in early spring, and seem to fight them until late fall. They love to make themselves at home in my kitchen and bathroom sink drains, can be found buzzing around my indoor herb garden and fruit bowl, and have even taken a swim in my wine a few times…not cool!

I’ve tried several different ways to kill fruit flies over the years, and while some of them have worked, none of them have worked quite as well as this method!

How to Get Rid of Gnats Fast

Step 1 – Squirt 2-3 pumps (around 1 1/2 tablespoons) of dish liquid into a small bowl.

Step 2 – Add two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar. If you don’t have any, you can use red wine vinegar instead.

Step 3 – Stir in some water, making sure that they suds up a little bit…the bubbles help to trap the fruit flies or gnats.

Step 4 – Place the fruit fly trap near any areas where fruit flies have been seen. You can use cute, decorative bowls like this one and place them by your kitchen and bathroom sinks, near a fruit bowl and even near an indoor herb garden if you have one. Nobody will even notice ;)

Within a half an hour, I noticed our first gnat was trapped in the solution…yay!

I typically change the solution out every couple of days for about a week, and then don’t see any gnats for a while. When I notice any new gnats around, I just make it again! This is such an easy, natural, inexpensive way to keep those pesky gnats out of your home!

Looking for more ways to keep pests at bay? Check out the awesome ideas below!

Got ants? This Homemade Ant Killer is a life saver…it works really quickly and will keep ants at bay!

Did you know that you don’t have to buy expensive, toxic solutions to keep ants away? Make my Homemade Peppermint Ant Deterrent Spray and keep ants from coming into your home. Bonus…it keeps spiders away too!

Finding ants in your pet’s food is a major bummer, especially since it means you have to toss it! Try this super Easy Trick to Keep Ants Out of Your Pet’s Food, and never waste pet food again!

Notice fleas on your beloved pets? Make this easy Non-Toxic Flea Killing Pet Shampoo with a couple of ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen and banish fleas in minutes!

And…I’ve saved the best and easiest for last! Want to keep bugs out of your drinks? Just pop a cupcake liner on top of your glass or cup and poke a straw through…the bugs don’t stand a chance!

« How to Cook Easy Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes

How to Plant a Kitchen Herb Garden »

Comments

Jody says
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I have a whole folder of your recipes. On Pintetest you have your own section. I have done the fanged fruit flies with just apple cider and it works but I have a fly swatted glued in my hand Spring thru Fall. I have done your ant spray,spider spray. The dog flea shampoo, which kills what’s on but sometimes think I am losing the battle. But thank you for all the things you share.

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- Jessica says
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  Thank you so much for the kind words, Jody! You made my morning, and make me feel like what I am doing is important…which is what keeps me going. Have a blessed day! ~Jess
  
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esther says
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need some thing for moths?? have done ever thing I know , but still have them !

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- Jessica says
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  I’m researching it now, and will post soon!
  
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  - Monica says
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    How about something for Lady bugs?
    
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    - Judy says
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      why lady bugs? they eat the aphids that destroy your plants
      
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      - Monica says
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        Not when they are in your house
Susana says
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As Jody said, I also have a a folder of your recipes. I am from Argentina and I share your comments with my friends. Your new recipe for ants is just fantastic!!!! It works!!! Thank You.

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- Jessica says
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  Thank you so much for the sweet words, Susana! I really appreciate you taking the time to leave me a comment!
  
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bernice says
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Your ideas are great. You’re the best. I’m with esther – any solutions for moths?

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- Jessica says
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  Hi, Bernice! I’ve gotten several questions about moths today…I’m working on some research to find a helpful solution for you!
  
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Kathi Brill says
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I was going crazy I HATE fruit flies!! this got them all gone they are floating in the bowls!! THANK -YOU!!

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Jennifer Grocke says
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I also would love a permanent solution for moths in my pantry. Have cleaned and sprayed every corner and crevices of containers and still they come. Waiting for your answer. Keep up the great work. Jenny

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Julie says
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The recipe for the gnats with the dish soap, that is what my mom used for ants as well when I was growing up! I saw later in the article that you have an ant killer and that made me smile and think of my mom as well! It really does work too! I love seeing all these DIY safe things on here! Instead of using harsh pesticides! Thank you for this!

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fathima ismail says
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ny ideas to remove marks from carpet..traffic area

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fathima ismail says
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how to clean a very dirty caŕpet

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Lesley says
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I love reading your recipes. Anything I can do to keep pests out without large expenses and keeping my family safe is always my first goal. You really have helped s lot of people so keep up the good work!

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- Jessica says
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  Thank you so much for the kind words, Lesley!
  
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Cindy in GA says
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LOVE your hints and tips! Here’s my question…I live in the South…that means wasps and hornets and yellow jackets. My problem is worsened by the fact that my husband is allergic to these critters. Got a good solution?

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- Jessica says
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  We use a bee trap as I show in this post…it helps a ton!
  
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  - Samie McLaughlin says
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    I enjoy using your recipes.I’m asthmatic & am allergic to the outdoors (or so it seems). My oven has always been a burnt on ugly disaster. It took me 5 months, but I now have a nice shiny oven.
    
    I live in Pocatello, Idaho, in an 80 year old building, that has recently become infected with bed bugs. How can I keep them out once heat treatment is done on Monday? I don’t want to do this kind of cleaning,red again.
    
    Thank you for any help you can give me.
    
    Samie McLaughlin+
    
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    - Jessica says
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      Hi, Samie! I’m so glad that you got your oven all clean! Bed bugs are something I don’t have any experience with, but I found this article from Real Simple that may help you… How to Prevent Bed Bugs
      
      Good luck!
      
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    - Jody says
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      Oh mam I am so sorry for you. I had them once. Don’t know how but son sat next to someone on the bus. It is not because you aren’t clean. I just saved an article about them and if you answer me with your email I can forward it to you. It was very helpful if ever happens again.
      
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    - Jody says
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      Jessica just gave you the same article I had. Don’t let your blankets fall down on the floor. Put your bed posts in a paper cup and smear petroleum jelly on the outside of of the cup. Put your post right in the middle so they can’t get on it. Trying to go through the jelly they can’t. You should wash all your clothes in hot water in a hot dryer. Heat is only thing that kills them. Vacuum everywhere and take your vacuum out to empty the bag and seal it up and throw away. There are mattress covers that they cannot burrow through and in an apartment it might be wise to do that. Also a pillow protector. Hope this helps.
      
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Yolanda Acevedo says
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Thanks so much for this beautiful post! It’s put together so well! I used the info. Right away with great results! I said some prayers for you in thanks.
YOLANDA

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- Jessica says
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  Thank you so much for the kind words, Yolanda! I’m so happy it worked for you! xoxo, Jess
  
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Elaine Cary says
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Love all your post! Used this for fruit flies & gnats, it really works!! The carpet stain remover, and the hardwood floor cleaner I use regularly! Beats anything else on the market! Thank you so much for all your post!! Love the new layout! THANKS FOR ALL YOU DO! Elaine

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Trish says
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Hi! I read Your recipe/ plan for fruit flies/gnats Most of the others I have read have said to cover up the solution with Saran Wrap or something and poke holes So this is not necessary? I tried your idea this morning and I’m hoping for the best Thank you !!!

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- Jessica says
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  It isn’t necessary, because the soap helps to trap them.
  
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Sandy mckinnon says
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Ants. Because corn growers are decimating our bee population with spray, I find ants and put them in my garden to pollinate for me. It works!

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Monica says
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Do you have something for Lady bugs?

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- Jessica says
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  I don’t yet, but I will definitely look into it for you!
  
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Amy says
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Yes! This absolutely works. My grandmother taught me this trick years ago.

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Ida says
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Please find something for lady bugs.

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Bridget says
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The gnat solution was amazing!! After 1 night I had 13 in there! Thank you so much for posting it!!

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- Jessica says
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  You are so welcome…so happy it helped!
  
  Jess
  
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Carolyn says
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These are great ideas. Thank you. However, just a heads up– Peppermint essential oil is toxic to cats, so please be careful using it in areas where cats may lick it. It almost killed a family cat. It had her seriously foaming at the mouth

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Patrice says
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This fruit fly solution is the best thing ever. I’ve caught about 40 fruit flies within 2 days. I’m definitely using this every summer from now on.

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How to Get Rid of Gnats Fast

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