Fruit flies are a year-round pest that really ramp up their campaign in late summer and autumn. Kitchens across the nation will be besieged by these irritating bugs, but be rest assured — there are several ways to repel and prevent infestations.
Laura Marsden, cleaning specialist at Marigold, has revealed her best advice for stopping fruit flies from making your home theirs. When sanitising your work surfaces and other areas, she recommends combining a mixture of lavender oil and water, which can be applied alongside your regular cleaning solutions. She said, “A tip for deterrence — fruit flies can’t stand the smell of many natural scents, including lavender.”
“It’ll deter fruit flies, while also leaving your kitchen smelling lovely — plus, lavender oil contains antibacterial properties, so it’s great for disinfecting.”
She says: “Smelly bins are a magnet for fruit flies – rotting or decayed food, particularly fruit, creates the perfect breeding ground.
“Even once you’ve taken the rubbish out, lingering food smells can attract them, so make sure you give your bin a thorough clean.
“For a deep clean, simply make a paste with some bicarbonate of soda and warm water and give your bin a good wipe down, using a durable microfibre cloth.”
Laura recommended their Marigold Let It Shine On & On! Microfibre Cloth, but microfibre cloths can be picked up in any supermarket.
“Wipe off the solution with a damp cloth and let the bin dry before you add a bag — this avoids trapping excess moisture in between the bin and the liner, which could become a breeding ground for bacteria.”
If you can’t wait for the bin to air dry, then Laura suggests using a dry microfibre cloth to wipe it down. You can then add a sprinkle of bicarbonate of soda to the bottom of the bin, which helps to eliminate odours.
She further added: “No one likes sticking their arm into a smelly, dirty bin, so make sure you keep them protected with gloves, which feature long cuffs for that extra protection.”