The common fruit bowl mistake causing fruit flies to take over your kitchen
Fruit flies are the annoying tiny pests that buzz around the kitchen and the dinner table, even flying right into your beverage after you've just sat down to enjoy it.
But reducing the number of these bugs and possibly preventing them completely could be as easy as making a change to how we all store our fruit.
John Stewart, pest prevention specialist from Pest Stop, recommends storing fruit in a way that limits fruit flies smelling produce that's ripe or overripe – this means saying goodbye to the traditional open fruit bowl.
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This is how we all store fruit but an expert says it can attract fruit flies. Getty
"To reduce the chances of an infestation, store fruits like apples, ripe bananas and tomatoes in the fridge instead of on countertops. If you prefer to keep produce out, opt for a covered fruit bowl to minimise exposure and keep flies at bay," he told Express.
He also recommends washing produce as soon as you get home from the supermarket to help remove fruit fly eggs or larvae that could be on the surface.
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These pesky little critters are hugely annoying in the kitchen. Getty
Storing fruits and vegetables in airtight containers can also help, Stewart said, as well as avoiding leaving drinks out and food containers open as it makes it easier for fruit flies to get in.
You should also try to stay on top of removing rotting fruit from your fruit bowl as soon as possible.
"Promptly remove any produce that's starting to spoil and dispose of it in a sealed bin or compost container to prevent fruit flies from multiplying," he said.
Cleaning benches and cupboards regularly is a good idea too as crumbs and spills can attract pests.
Bins are another area to keep clean, as are sink drains where food debris can get stuck creating another area that attracts fruit flies.
Catching fruit flies can be as simple as this DIY solution. Getty
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You'll also find emptying the bin, recycling and food waste caddy frequently helps keep fruit fly numbers down.
If all that fails you can try a store-bought or homemade trap. The DIY version typically involves a dish filled with apple cider vinegar and a drop or two of dishwashing detergent.
The scent of the vinegar will attract the bugs, which then get trapped in the liquid.
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