Do Houseplants Attract Fruit Flies

Do you have a green thumb? Do you love spending time outdoors tending to your garden? Even if you don’t have a lot of space, you can still enjoy the benefits of fresh air and sunshine by keeping houseplants. But did you know that houseplants can also attract fruit flies?

While these little insects are generally harmless, they can be quite pesky. Keep reading to learn more about do houseplants attract fruit flies and what you can do to keep them away.

How Do Houseplants Attract Fruit Flies

Fruit flies are attracted to the same things we are: ripe fruit, sweet things, as well as the ethanol that is produced by rotting fruit produce. While it’s true that fruit flies are attracted to ripe fruits and vegetables, they’re also drawn to the nectar and pollen of flowers. This means that houseplants, which often have both nectar and pollen, can attract fruit flies.

They are attracted to the moisture and nutrients in potting soil, and they may lay their eggs in the soil of houseplants. As a result, fruit fly populations can quickly build up around houseplants.

Fruit flies lay their eggs in damp soil, which means that houseplants can become a breeding ground for these pests. If you have a houseplant, it’s likely that you’re providing at least one of these things for them.

Why Do Fruit Flies Like House Plants?

Fruit flies are attracted to two things: ripeness and fermentation. Rotting fruits or vegetables give off an invisible gas called ethylene. This gas is also produced by some indoor plants, which is why fruit flies are often drawn to them.

In addition, many houseplants need moist soil to survive. This moisture creates the perfect environment for fermentation, which is another attractant for fruit flies.

So, if your houseplants are attracting fruit flies, it’s likely because they are ripe or in need of water. However, there are a few other things that can attract fruit flies to your plants. For example, if you use manure or compost as fertilizer, this can also attract fruit flies.

Additionally, if you store fruits or vegetables near your plants, the ripeness of these items can also attract fruit flies to your plants.

How To Get Rid Of Fruit Flies

Fruit flies breed in potted plants, moist areas, herbs, and flowers. If you suspect that one of your plants is attracting fruit flies, there are a few things you can do to get rid of them.

Disturb The Soil

Houseplants are a great way to add a splash of greenery to your home, but they can also be a source of fruit flies. These tiny insects are attracted to the potting soil that houseplants need to grow, and they lay their eggs in the moist soil. As the fruit fly larvae develop, they feed on the roots of the plants, causing the plants to become stunted and sickly.

One way to get rid of fruit flies in plants is to disturb the soil fruit flies around the plant and infect the soil. This will help to dislodge any eggs that have been deposited there. To do this, simply water the plant thoroughly and then gently loosen the top layer of soil with your fingers. Repeat this process once a week until the problem has been resolved.

Remove The Food Source

Another way to get rid of fruit flies in plants is to remove their food source. These pests are attracted to overripe fruits and vegetables, so be sure to harvest your crops as soon as they’re ripe. Also, be sure to clean up any fallen fruits or vegetables from the ground around the plant so that the fruit flies don’t have anything else to feed on.

In addition, it is important to control fungus in the home. Fruit flies are attracted to humid environments, so reducing the humidity will help to reduce their numbers.

Repel Insects Plants

There are also certain plants that naturally repel insects, including fruit flies. Some of these include basil, catnip, garlic, lemongrass, marigolds, mint, petunias, carnivorous plants like pitchers, and lavender. Planting some of these around your affected plants can help to keep the fruit fly population under control.

Set Trap For The Flies

The easiest way to get rid of fruit flies is to trap them. You can do this by filling a bowl with apple cider vinegar mixed with fruit juice or red wine and covering it with plastic wrap. Poke a few holes in the top of the plastic wrap so the fruit flies can get in, but not out. The vinegar or wine will lure the fruit flies into the bowl, and they’ll be trapped.

If you don’t have any apple cider vinegar or red wine on hand, you can also use a banana peel to trap fruit flies. Simply place a ripe banana peel in a bowl and cover it with plastic wrap. Again, poke a few holes in the top of the plastic wrap so the fruit flies can get in, but not out. The ripe banana will attract the fruit flies, and they’ll be trapped inside the bowl.

Once you’ve trapped the fruit flies, you can get rid of them by either dumping them outside or placing them in the garbage disposal. If you have a lot of fruit flies, you may need to empty the bowl several times before they’re all gone.

The Battle Of The Fungus Gnats

Fungus gnats are tiny flying bugs that are commonly found near potted plants or other areas where there is moist soil. The larvae of these insects feed on organic matter in the soil, which can damage plant roots and make the plant more susceptible to disease.

In severe fruit fly infestation, fungus gnats can weaken and even kill plants. Adult fungus gnats typically live for about two weeks and do not feed on plants. However, they can lay up to 300 eggs during their lifetime, so it’s important to get rid of them as soon as possible!

There are a few different ways to get rid of fungus gnats. One way is to place yellow sticky traps near your plant pots. The traps will attract adult flies and help reduce the population over time.

Another way is to water your plants with a diluted solution of hydrogen peroxide, which will kill the larvae. Finally, you can also add beneficial nematodes to your soil, which will help control the population of fungus gnats by eating their larvae.

To prevent fungus gnats from coming back, it’s important to keep your planting area clean and free of debris. Make sure to keep an eye on your plants and water them only when necessary. If you do see any fungus gnats, be sure to take action right away so they don’t have a chance to multiply!

Conclusion

It seems that the old wives’ tale of keeping a houseplant to attract fruit flies is true. While this may not be the most effective method for getting rid of fruit flies, it is a natural way to do so. If you are looking for an organic solution to your fruit fly problem, try keeping a houseplant and see if that works for you.

Have you ever tried this method? Let us know in the comments below!