09/09/2026
Natural fruit fly repellents... Do they actually work? ๐ค The short answer is... Yes!
The most effective deterrents are peppermint, lemongrass, and cedarwood, with lab research also showing basil, cloves, lavender, and eucalyptus to have deterring properties as well. The reason these work is because fruit flies have a very sensitive sense of smell that they use to locate fermentation and moisture. These scents, however, have been shown to interfere with their sense of smell, causing confusion and ultimately deterring the flies.
Something as simple as some essential oils on a cotton ball or other DIY remedies won't be enough, though. In order for these natural repellents to work, there needs to be consistent delivery over a course of a few weeks, and DIY remedies are typically too brief. Time-release repellents (such as our Bin Balls) in areas such as trash cans, sinks, and anywhere near food can and will help to keep fruit flies away. Just remember that repellents needs to be combined with proper and thorough deep-cleaning in order to eliminate fruit fly infestations!
Need some extra help managing fruit flies? Call or email Fikes of Minnesota! 763-657-8001 or [email protected]
Sources:
๐Harper, Stephanie. "Discover 6 Smells That Fruit Flies Absolutely Hate." A-Z Animals, 22 Oct. 2023, https://ow.ly/cabT50ZGAI3.
๐"Natural Fruit Fly Repellent: Does It Actually Work? - Fruit Fly Defense Blog." Fruit Fly Defense, 18 Feb. 2026, https://ow.ly/IWjx50ZGAI2.
