00:00If it feels like fruit flies are suddenly everywhere in your kitchen, there's a reason.
00:04Late summer and early fall can create ideal conditions for these tiny pests.
00:08Warm temperatures help speed up their life cycle, while ripe or overripe fruit gives them plenty of places to feed
00:13and reproduce.
00:14And it's not just the fruit bowl.
00:16Fruit flies are also attracted to fermenting liquids, trash, and other moist organic material around the kitchen.
00:22The good news? You can make your home a lot less inviting.
00:26Refrigerate ripe produce when possible.
00:27Toss overripe fruit.
00:29Clean up spills and regularly empty trash and recycling.
00:33Try a DIY trap with apple cider vinegar and a drop of dish soap.
00:36If the flies keep returning, start hunting for the source.
00:40Drains, recycling bins, overripe produce, and houseplants are common culprits.
00:45And don't just focus on the flies you can see.
00:48Removing their food and breeding sources is the key to breaking the cycle.
00:52If you check them all and the flies won't quit, it may be time to bring in a pro.
