How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies in Garbage Disposal

What Attracts Fruit Flies to the Garbage Disposal?

Fruit flies, fungus gnats, and drain flies are all attracted to the smell of fermented fruit, and moisture. Your moist kitchen sink drain has an ample supply of both, as your garbage disposal fills up with rotting food particles. Your garbage disposal can become a moist breeding ground for fruit flies and other insects.

Fruit flies aren't harmful, but they can still carry bacteria and viruses into your kitchen. Cleaning your kitchen sink drain and garbage disposal will help prevent fruit flies and fungus gnats from breeding in your home.

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How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies in Garbage Disposal

Commercial Cleaning Product

Here’s how you can kill fruit flies in garbage disposal with a commercial cleaner:

1. Find a commercial cleaning product that’s specifically made for garbage disposal.
2. Read the instructions and safety considerations carefully before using this product.
3. Use the product as instructed. These commercial cleaners have powerful enzymes that can break down food particles and eliminate odors, making them effective cleaners.

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Baking Soda and White Vinegar

When used together, baking soda and white vinegar can be a powerful cleaning combination. Here’s how to clean fruit flies out of garbage disposal with baking soda and white vinegar:

1. Pour ½ cup of baking soda down your garbage disposal.
2. Pour a cup of white vinegar down your garbage disposal.
3. Let the baking soda and white vinegar react with each other. This will not only break down any build-up that may be attracting fruit flies, but it will also get rid of any odors.
4. Leave it to sit for 10 minutes.
5. After 10 minutes, flush it with hot water.

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Lemon

1. Cut a lemon into small pieces.
2. Drop the lemon slices down the garbage disposal.
3. Turn the garbage disposal on and run the cold water as the lemon is being ground. The citric acid from the lemon will thoroughly clean the garbage disposal, and the citrus scent is great at repelling fruit flies.
4. Once the lemon has been fully grounded, run some clean water down the garbage disposal to rinse everything.

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Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is another popular option for catching and eliminating fruit flies, especially because you can make apple cider vinegar traps with them. Follow these steps:

1. Pour some apple cider vinegar into a small bowl.
2. Cover the top of the bowl with plastic wrap. You can keep it in place by securing it with a rubber band.
3. Poke small holes in the plastic.
4. Place the apple cider vinegar trap near your garbage disposal. They’ll be attracted to the smell of the vinegar and enter through the holes, but they won’t be able to get out.

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Bleach

Bleach is another effective cleaning agent against fruit flies. Here’s how you can use it to eliminate fruit flies in your garbage disposal:

1. Flush your garbage disposal by pouring boiling hot water down the drain. This will help loosen up any food particles or build-up. Feel free to use a metal pipe brush to clean the garbage disposal more thoroughly.
2. Mix together half a gallon of water and a cup of bleach.
3. Pour the solution down the drain.
4. Leave it for six hours.
5. Once the six hours have passed, pour some more boiling water down the drain to rinse everything away.

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How to Prevent Fruit Flies in Garbage Disposal

The best way to prevent fruit flies from gathering in your garbage disposal is by making sure that your kitchen remains as clean and hygienic as possible. Here are some tips to follow:

• Make sure to toss out any rotten fruits and vegetables as soon as possible. These can produce the smell of fermentation, which is what fruit flies are attracted to.
• Regularly empty out your garbage and trash cans, especially when they have fruit peels or rotting food inside. Alternatively, just make sure that you cover them properly.
• Clean your kitchen regularly to avoid attracting fruit flies, as well as other unwanted pests. Remember to wipe away any spills as they happen, and clean all the surfaces and appliances regularly.
• Avoid throwing large amounts of food down your garbage disposal all at once. Also, make sure to flush down the drain while the garbage disposal is in use to eliminate any debris and residue.

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Keeping Your Space Clean

Keeping your home clean is the best way you can deter pests from entering your home. Don't fret about the cleaning, and instead, let our professional cleaners at Luce tackle the chores for you! We'll get rid of all that grime and dust in your home so you won't have to worry about attracting flies!

Keep your home clean, and contact us today to schedule your next cleaning session!