Got Fruit Flies in Your Bathroom? Here’s How To Get Rid of Them!

Got Fruit Flies in Your Bathroom

Bzz. Bzz. Bzz. got fruit flies in your bathroom?

These pesky pests are attracted to moisture and organic matter, so your bathroom is the perfect breeding ground for them. Before you know it, you can have a fruit fly infestation on your hands.

But don’t worry, getting rid of fruit flies is easy with our tips and tricks. So put down that fly swatter and read on!

⭐ What Are Fruit Flies?

fruit fly close up

Fruit flies are small, common insects found all over the world.

They belong to a family of flies known as Drosophilidae and can reach between a 1/4 and 1/2 inch in size.

Fruit flies have red eyes, tan-colored bodies and light bands on their wings – making them easy to spot in your bathroom.

These pests feed off fermenting fruits, vegetables and other organic materials.

While you might not have a fruit bowl in your bathroom, there might be organic matter or food remnants that could attract them.

Fruit flies reproduce quickly and lay eggs in a variety of places, making them difficult to control. How difficult to control?

Well, female fruit flies lay up to 500 eggs during their lifetime!

The eggs are usually laid near decaying organic materials such as overripe fruit or vegetables, which provide the larvae with food once they hatch.

Without overly ripe fruit in your bathroom, they’ll settle for the organic matter in your drains.

Fruit flies also love moisture.

Like really love it!

They’re attracted to moist places like bathroom drains or sink drains and moist towels where there is a lot of stagnant water for them to breed and lay their eggs.

As soon as the larvae hatch from their eggs, they feed on the surrounding material before quickly maturing into adults, rapidly increasing the fruit fly population.

The Difference Between Fruit Flies And Drain Flies

drain fly close up

Fruit flies and drain flies might look similar, but they are two very different creatures.

Fruit flies are small, tan-colored insects with red eyes and distinct black bands on their wings.

They typically grow up to about 1/4 of an inch long and feed on fermenting fruits and vegetables.

On the other hand, drain flies (also known as sewer flies or sewer gnats) are much smaller than fruit flies, usually measuring around 1/8 of an inch in length.

They have distinctive grayish-black bodies, and hairy wings that give them a fuzzy appearance, and they aren’t particularly inclined toward your vegetable garden.

Another way to distinguish between fruit fly and drain fly infestations is by observing their behavior – while fruit flies tend to stay near their food source, drain flies will often fly up into the air upon disturbance.

What Attracts Fruit Flies To Bathrooms?

messy bathroom

Fruit flies are drawn to bathrooms for a variety of reasons.

Humidity is one of the most attractive factors, as it creates an ideal breeding environment for fruit fly eggs.

Bathrooms often do not have adequate ventilation, which causes pools of standing water to form in which the fruit flies conjugate and breed.

Additionally, the organic matter present in toilets and drains provides a regular food source for fruit flies.

This further increases the appeal and viability of bathrooms, creating the perfect conditions for infestation.

How To Get Rid Of Fruit Flies

🧰 Using A Homemade Fruit Fly Trap

organic fly trap

Making a homemade trap is a simple way to kill fruit flies.

To make the trap, mix equal parts apple cider vinegar, dish soap, and water in a small bowl or a disposable cup.

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and a rubber band, then poke a few holes in it so that the flies can enter.

Place the trap near areas where you have seen fruit fly activity and wait.

The fruit flies will be attracted to the sweet smell of vinegar and become trapped inside the plastic wrap.

Check your trap regularly and dispose of any captured fruit flies by placing them in hot soapy water or another killing agent like a rubbing alcohol or bleach solution.

🛠️ Cleaning Out The Drain

🧰 Vinegar Solution

baking soda and vinegar

If you are trying to get rid of fruit flies, using a vinegar solution is a straightforward way that works just as good as store-bought options.

Simply mix together equal parts apple cider vinegar (or white vinegar), baking soda, and water in a bowl before pouring it down the drain.

Allow it to sit for 15 minutes, then rinse with hot, but not boiling, water – this will remove any organic matter that might be luring them into your bathroom and help eliminate any remaining flies. You can also add half a cup of salt to ensure they don’t return.

🧰 Drain Cleaner

drain cleaner

Using a drain cleaner product to get rid of fruit flies is an effective solution to getting rid of flies in the bathroom.

Before using any drain cleaner, follow the precautions listed on the packaging.

Drain cleaners are usually made of chemicals and consequentially have the power to be dangerous if misused.

Begin by purchasing a quality drain cleaning product from your local store and following the instructions on the packaging.

Once you have the product, pour it down the drain and let it sit for the designated time before rinsing with hot water.

This will help get rid of any organic material that may be attracting fruit flies, as well as eliminate whatever ones are still in your drain.

🧰 Professional Service

happy plumber

If you’d like to permanently eliminate fruit flies in your bathroom, don’t hesitate to reach out to a reputable plumbing service.

Most plumbing services are equipped with specialized tools that can effectively clear away any organic materials from your drain and prevent fruit flies from coming back in the future.

Phyxter offers professional plumbing services in a number of locations across North America.

If you’re worried about fruit flies and want an immediate solution, our experienced plumbers can restore your bathroom right away.

Final Thoughts on Fruit Flies In Your Bathroom

Phyxter Approved Logo on Service Truck

To sum it up, a fruit fly infestation is common in bathrooms due to the humid environment and availability of fermenting food or sugary liquids.

Fortunately, there are several steps homeowners can take to get rid of fruit flies.

These include making cleaning up, homemade traps, using vinegar solutions to clean out drains, and even hiring professional plumbers.

If you notice fruit flies in your bathroom and need them gone fast, check to see if Phyxter Home Services is in your area.

We’re here for you every step of the way, so don’t hesitate to reach out today!

Having any other problems around the house? Phyxter has also got you covered.

We have a variety of homeowner articles on everything from plumbing to HVAC systems to electrical repairs.

Related Reading: DIY Guide to 15 Common Plumbing Problems & Solutions

Russell Jones

Russell, a native Australian and VP of Operations at Phyxter Home Services, is also part-owner of Vernon Air Conditioning, Plumbing, and Electrical Services. When he's not busy with work projects and renovations, Russell enjoys putting his vast knowledge of home improvement to good use by sharing his tips and tricks.

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Phyxter (pronounced Fix-ter) is a national home services brand specializing in Residential HVAC, Electrical and Plumbing solutions.

Phyxter is laser-focused on writing the best articles and guides to empower homeowners to get the best out of their homes.

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