Households across Ireland are being urged to act before Saturday as warmer weather is set to bring a surge in fruit flies.
Irish homes urged to fill a bowl with vinegar and washing up liquid before Saturday(Image: Getty Images/EyeEm)
Ireland is set to bask in glorious spring weather over the coming days, with Met Eireann forecasting highs of 18C alongside plenty of sunshine.
But while the brighter weather will be welcome news for many, it also brings an unwanted side effect – a surge in household pests.
Experts are warning that insects are more likely to enter homes during warm spells, with fruit flies expected to become a particular nuisance in kitchens across Ireland by Saturday.
As temperatures rise, Alliance Ireland are urging households to take simple preventative steps now to avoid an influx of the invasive insects.
One of the most effective solutions is a simple homemade trap using items already found in most kitchens. By filling a small bowl or jar with apple cider vinegar and a few drops of washing up liquid, households can attract and trap fruit flies before they spread.
The food hygiene specialists said: “The most used, and arguably the most successful, fruit fly prevention tactics are traps and repellents. Traps and repellents are easy to set up, as you will likely already have all the ingredients on hand. For a trap, fill a small bowl or jar with apple cider vinegar and a few drops of washing-up liquid. Cover the container with plastic wrap and poke some small holes to entice the flies – this works with red wine too!
“Natural repellents are strong deterrents for fruit flies. The strong scent of dried basil, mint, and bay leaves can be left where you typically find fruit flies, which should repel them from the area. Alternatively, mix water with essential oils such as lemongrass, lavender, or eucalyptus, then spray it as a natural repellent.”
Woman reveals homemade fly trap that catches bugs in seconds – using fairy liquid(Image: TikTok)
Fruit flies are particularly drawn to ripening fruit, food waste and fermented smells, meaning kitchens are a prime target – especially during warmer weather when windows and doors are left open.
To reduce the risk, households are being advised to keep surfaces clean and sanitised. Proper storage is another important step.
Alliance Ireland said: “Keep surfaces clean and sanitised to prevent fruit flies and other unwanted insects from being attracted to food remnants, however small. Fruit flies typically appear in the kitchen when food is being prepared and served, especially during the summer months when doors and windows are often left open.
“Take out the rubbish bin more often than usual ahead of fruit fly season, so food waste doesn’t end up rotting – the perfect attraction and breeding ground for fruit flies.
“Fruit flies are attracted to the ripeness of fruit and vegetables and the smell of fermentation, so seal and refrigerate food and keep it in an airtight container. There are numerous airtight containers currently on the market and, thankfully, they aren’t too expensive, so it’s worth investing in if you’re sick of fruit flies.”
Households are also being warned not to overlook drains, where fruit flies can breed. Cleaning sinks with vinegar and baking soda or boiling water can help prevent infestations from taking hold.
The experts said: “Fruit flies can breed and lay eggs in organic matter in damp areas, such as drains. Clean your drains with a mixture of vinegar and baking soda to eliminate any buildup and deter fruit flies from breeding there. If you don’t have baking soda or vinegar, boiling water could work just as well.”
One final trick is to use a fan, as fruit flies struggle to fly in strong air currents. Alliance Ireland said: “Using a fan is another preventative measure to deter fruit flies. Fruit flies are weak fliers and dislike strong air currents. By placing a fan near where fruit flies congregate, you can create an environment with increased air circulation, which makes it more difficult for the fruit flies to fly and land on surfaces.
“In addition to cooling your home during hot weather, the fan’s constant air movement can disorient fruit flies, making it harder for them to navigate and find food sources.”
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