Natural Insect Repellent for Fruit Flies, Drain Flies and other Insects

These natural insect repellent ideas are a great way to keep your fruit and vegetables safe and free of pesky insects hovering nearby so use Natural Insect Repellent for Fruit Flies, Drain Flies and other Insects.

 

These natural insect repellent ideas are a great way to keep your fruit and vegetables safe and free of pesky insects causing bug bites (mostly mosquito bites) hovering nearby so use Natural Insect Repellent for Fruit Flies, Drain Flies and other Insects. 

Since, at my house, we love fruit – in particular bananas and strawberries – this is something we really need a lot!

Last summer it was really HOT and the fruit was spoiling much faster than it used too.

I decided to not only use some great natural bug spray in my home but to share with you so your fruit cold be safe!

Natural Insect Repellent for Fruit Flies, Drain Flies and Other Insects

I needed a way to get rid of the fruit flies that would be safe if one of our pets or our daughter got into it, going with a natural insect repellent was the best option for our family.

Backstory

Last summer we had a huge drain fly problem — I swear our house is clean but it’s like the freaking apocalypse with all the crazy weather we have been getting at home lately.  

I thought maybe the solution I used last year to get rid of the drain flies would work for the fruit flies

It worked! It is a simple natural insect repellent too so that makes it even better!

Supplies Needed

  1. Apple cider vinegar (balsamic vinegar should work)
  2. Water
  3. A bowl
  4. Cling Wrap
  5. Sharp knife

What To Do

  1. Pour a few tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in your bowl.
  2. Add enough water so the bowl is about halfway full.
  3. Cover the bowl tightly with cling wrap. You should not have any creases in the wrap.
  4. With a sharp knife poke a few small holes into the cling wrap.
  5. Put the bowl near where you have your fly problem and you are done!
  6. The flies will be attracted to the apple cider vinegar and will find their way through the holes. They will be trapped under the cling wrap unable to escape.

These natural alternatives work best for fruit flies, drain flies and gnats and is a safe substitute for commercial insect repellents. 

It can also keep away some spiders, ants and other pesky bugs.

The vinegar is appealing to them, but also deadly.

While this may seem a bit cruel, it is a great option that is completely safe, and very inexpensive.

That’s a great benefit considering how expensive pest control can be.

As well as how dangerous most chemicals are for not only you and your family but your pets.

Please keep this natural insect repellent solution away from children and pets.

Yes, it is all natural but will be very, very gross if they drink it.

It’s a smart move to keep it in a safe place so they don’t get into it or spill it.

For many kitchens, a small bowl with apple cider vinegar like this is the perfect solution for those little annoying insects that tend to be common during warmer months.

If you are storing your fruit outside of your refrigerator (as is best with many fruit options), this is an ideal natural insect repellent option that is simple, inexpensive and useful.

Here are some All-Natural Bug Spray Repellents:

Fastest Essential Oil Insect Spray

It’s really simple as mixing these ingredients for natural solutions and adding to a spray bottle:

  • 1/2 cup water (or vinegar)
  • 1/2 cup natural witch hazel
  • 1 tablespoon vodka or rubbing alcohol
  • 10 drops rosemary essential oil
  • 20 drops lavender essential oil
  • 20 drops lemon eucalyptusessential oil
  • 30 drops citronella essential oil
  • 30 drops geranium essential oil
  • Optional: 1 teaspoon vegetable glycerin

Note: I am not a Doctor but we recommend caution when using any of these repellents on young children. Always do a small patch test to look for an allergic reaction.

Citronella Oil Insect Spray

All natural Citronella oil has been used for many years as a common insect repellent.

Lavender oil is often added to improve the odor.

The only downside we can find is that, as compared to DEET, Citronella oil evaporates quickly.

And in high concentrations can irritate skin (just like DEET).

Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus or OLE Insect Repellent

Consumer reports reports that “Two of the three active ingredients that have regularly earned recommended status in our organic insect repellent ratings—picaridin and lemon eucalyptus oil, or OLE—are derived from plants. But several other plant-based chemicals, including lemon grass, neem oil and soybean oil, typically end up at the very bottom of our ratings”

Peppermint Oil – Bug and Rodent Repellent

An effective repellent for more than just pesky mosquitos is Peppermint Oil though while it works well – it only lasts about 45 minutes after it’s applied but it is still a natural product – make sure you keep your pump spray nearby..

Coconut oil is often used to dilute mixtures instead of water that may be too strong for a user.

Baby friendly Deet-free Repellent

This mixture by babyganics uses Soybean Oil as a carrier oil (occasionally Thyme oil is used) as 95.25% volume plus Rosemary Oil, Citronella Oil, Geranium Oil, Cedarwood Oil, Peppermint Oil and lemongrass oil.

Why should I use Natural Mosquito Repellent?

The number one reason I search for a repellent of creepy critters that may cause Tick Bites (causes Lyme disease) is to keep my whole family comfortable and safe.

The most common effective repellents (e.g. Avon Skin-So-Soft) contains an active ingredient called DEET and picaridin which is recommended by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency).

The worst side effect we can find is that Deet may cause skin irritation.

Check out these great Natural Insect Repellent For Fruit Flies, Drain Flies And Other Insects! These tips will help you to keep those pesky insects away from your fruit and out of your home!

Check out these other great topics for around the house!

Proper Hand Washing Techniques

3 Time Saving Kitchen Hacks

How To Keep Your Floors Cleaner – Longer

Want to Go Green? Tips to Get you Started

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