Fruit flies are insatiable, and come summertime, it seems like an insurmountable task to keep them out of the home and office. Once a couple of flies make their way through your doors, they multiply indefinitely and are nearly impossible to get rid of. Fortunately, there are some easy tactics to prevent their initial entry, while effective methods of eliminating fruit flies once they become a problem.

Keep All Food in Closed Containers

Fruit flies got their name for a reason. They are infatuated with the smell of fruit, particularly over-ripened fruit, and the sweetened smell attracts them in hordes. While it’s always nice to have a fruit basket in the office, it could ultimately be your downfall. All food items should be kept in tightly sealed containers or inside the refrigerator, so as to eliminate smells.

Keep All Areas Dry

Fruit flies are attracted to water, and areas with high moisture will result in fruit flies breeding rapidly. Make sure all spills are wiped up immediately and all sinks and water fountains are wiped down nightly to minimize extra moisture.

Check All Window Screens for Holes

It’s hard to sit cooped up in an office all day without a breath of fresh air. Of course, there will be times when you’ll want to crack a window, particularly on hot days. Just be sure all screens are tightly sealed inside the window and that the screen has no holes or cracks that flies can crawl through.

Disinfect All Surfaces Nightly

Before heading home for the evening, spray disinfectant across all countertops and surfaces to wipe them clean. Any food residue will be eliminated, thus reducing odors in your office. Use a disinfectant that’s specifically intended to eliminate odors, as even the slightest smell can capture the attention of a fruit fly.

Set Out a Jar with Vinegar

Every now and then, a fruit fly will make its way into your office. Be prepared by having a fly trap set in advance. Fruit flies are attracted to the scent of vinegar, and you can use this to your advantage. Fill a mason jar with vinegar about a quarter of the way full. Punch a hole in the lid that is just large enough for a fly to fit through. Hide the jar somewhere in your office. If a fly does find its way in, it will crawl inside the jar to access the vinegar and will be unable to escape.

Call an Exterminator

You’ve sealed all food, you’ve disinfected your countertops, and you’ve ensured all windows are sealed. Yet, somehow, a pesky fruit fly has managed to gain entry to your office, and worse, he’s invited all of his friends and relatives. Don’t despair. An exterminator can come and eliminate the fruit flies quickly, so you can restore the cleanliness of your office.

Fruit flies are annoying in any setting, but in a focused office space, they problem is magnified Just as your buckle down to focus on the task at hand, a pesky fly is buzzing in front of your face and distracting you from your work.

If you find fruit flies and need help getting rid of them, call Preventive Pest Control today!