How to get rid of fruit flies that are practically everywhere?

Why Fruit Flies Are So Annoying

If you've ever come home to a cloud of tiny, buzzing pests hovering over your fruit bowl or trash can, you're not alone. Fruit flies are a common nuisance in many San Diego homes, and they seem to appear out of nowhere—especially during the warmer months.

These pesky bugs are attracted to ripened fruits, veggies, moisture, and even your sink drain. While they’re not harmful in the traditional pest sense, they’re unhygienic and super annoying. Worse, they multiply fast.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to get rid of fruit flies fast, stop them from coming back, and keep your home fresh and clean, all by Clean Me Up Scotty.

What Are Fruit Flies and Why Are They in My House?

Fruit flies are tiny insects—about 1/8 of an inch long—with red eyes and a knack for finding rotting or fermenting food. Their scientific name is Drosophila melanogaster, but you’ll probably just call them annoying.

They’re attracted to sugary substances, overripe produce, spilled juice, open wine bottles, trash, and moisture. Once inside, they lay hundreds of eggs at a time—often inside your drains or garbage bins—making it tough to eliminate them without a proper plan.

People often confuse fruit flies with drain flies, but they’re different. Drain flies are more moth-like and stick near sinks and drains. Either way, both can signal that your kitchen needs a deep clean. That’s why our Services at Clean Me Up Scotty always include a focus on high-risk pest areas.

If you’re constantly seeing fruit flies in your Oceanside apartment or San Diego home, don’t panic—it’s fixable. Let’s dive into the fastest and most effective solutions.

Immediate Steps: How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies Fast

You want to act fast—fruit fly infestations escalate quickly. Here's how to get rid of fruit flies in your kitchen, bathroom, or even garage:

1. Clean Countertops and Surfaces Daily

Wipe down any spills, especially sticky ones like fruit juice or wine.

2. Empty Trash and Compost Frequently

Take the trash out daily, especially if you’ve tossed fruit, coffee grounds, or food scraps.

3. Store Produce Properly

Keep fruits and veggies in the fridge or in sealed containers.

4. Fix Moisture Problems

Clean and dry out your sink and drains. Fruit flies love a damp sponge or dirty dishcloth.

5. Wash Dishes Promptly

Dirty dishes left overnight? That’s an open invitation to fruit flies.

6. Rinse Recyclables

Fruit flies often swarm around soda cans, wine bottles, or juice containers. Give them a quick rinse.

By following these simple steps, you’ll not only eliminate your current infestation but help prevent a future one. For a more thorough job, check out our detailed Cleaning Checklist to make sure you’re hitting all the hot spots.

DIY Fruit Fly Traps That Actually Work

You don’t need expensive sprays—just a few kitchen staples to make your own DIY fruit fly traps:

1. Apple Cider Vinegar Trap

Fill a small bowl with apple cider vinegar and add a drop of dish soap. The soap breaks the surface tension, so the flies sink and drown.

2. Fruit + Plastic Wrap Trap

Put overripe fruit in a jar, cover it with plastic wrap, and poke a few holes. Fruit flies enter but can’t escape.

3. Wine or Beer Trap

If you’ve got a little leftover wine or beer, pour it into a cup and cover it with wrap. Same deal—flies fly in and never fly out.

Place these traps near sinks, trash cans, or fruit bowls. Use multiple traps in different rooms to maximize your success.

These natural fruit fly traps are pet-safe, chemical-free, and effective. If they don’t do the trick within a couple of days, it might be time for professional help—especially if you're dealing with repeat infestations in apartment kitchens or homes with poor ventilation.

Long-Term Prevention: Keep Fruit Flies Away for Good

Once you’ve gotten rid of the immediate problem, it’s time to make sure those fruit flies stay gone. Here’s how to build a fruit fly prevention routine into your weekly cleaning habits:

1. Deep Clean Drains

Fruit flies love to lay eggs in your sink drain. Pour boiling water down the drain daily, or use baking soda and vinegar for a natural clean.

2. Clean Under Appliances

Crumbs and spills under your fridge or oven attract bugs. Pull them out and clean behind and underneath them monthly.

3. Disinfect Trash Bins

Even if you take out the trash, residue inside the bin can still attract fruit flies. Scrub and disinfect it weekly.

4. Keep Produce Sealed

Use sealed containers or keep fruit in the fridge, especially during summer.

5. Schedule Recurring Cleanings

Consider hiring a pro for regular house cleaning or apartment cleaning services. Professionals know the hidden areas flies love.

If you're preparing for guests or trying to keep pests away during summer, our Holiday Cleaning service is ideal. We deep clean kitchens, sanitize surfaces, and remove all the things fruit flies love.

When Fruit Flies Won’t Leave: Time to Call a Pro

Sometimes, no matter how many traps you set or how often you clean, fruit flies won’t go away. That’s when it’s time to call in the experts.

If you're seeing swarms of flies in multiple rooms, or if they keep coming back after you clean, your home might need a deep cleaning to reach the hidden breeding spots. Areas like garbage disposals, sink pipes, drain covers, and even baseboards may need professional attention.

At Clean Me Up Scotty, our Move-In Cleaning and routine maintenance services are perfect for eliminating stubborn pests and creating a healthy, hygienic home. You can check if we service your neighborhood by visiting our Service Areas page.

Why Choose Clean Me Up Scotty?

We’re not just about cleaning—we’re about peace of mind. At Clean Me Up Scotty, we offer eco-friendly house cleaning services across San Diego County, including weekly, biweekly, and one-time deep cleans.

Our team is trained to handle every type of mess—from food spills to pest-prone zones—and we only use non-toxic, safe-for-kids-and-pets cleaning products. Whether you need help with an ongoing issue or a one-time blitz before guests arrive, we’re here to help.

Explore our full list of Services, or reach out today to book your first cleaning.

Conclusion & Quick Tips Recap

Fruit flies are frustrating—but they’re no match for a clean, well-maintained home. Here’s a quick recap of how to get rid of them:

• Clean spills and food waste daily
• Store produce properly
• Use easy, DIY vinegar or fruit traps
• Sanitize your drains and garbage bins
• Set a weekly routine or hire a pro

If you’re in San Diego or surrounding areas and want to keep your home fly-free year-round, Clean Me Up Scotty is just a call or click away. Whether it's regular apartment cleaning, seasonal tidying, or a full-blown move-in cleaning, we’ve got your back.

Let us handle the mess—so you can enjoy your space again, fly-free. Contact us.