The unwelcome arrival of fruit flies can quickly sour the success of any food service establishment. Fruit flies can lead to negative customer reviews, potential health code violations, and damage to a business's reputation. The allure of sugary garnishes and fermenting brews makes bars and restaurants prime targets for these tiny invaders. Here are some tips to help you prevent fruit flies from hanging out at your bar:

Remove food and drink residue or crumbs

Maintaining a clean bar environment is crucial for preventing fruit fly infestations. Spilled beverages, food debris, and particularly sugary or fermenting substances like syrups, juices, and discarded fruit attract these pests. Focus on cleaning high-traffic areas such as the bar top, underneath counters, around sinks where spills may occur, and frequently touched surfaces like door handles and light switches. Sneaky crumbs and sticky residue love to hide behind the bar; be sure to clean in drip trays, around soda guns, and any other areas where spills can accumulate.

Limit water sources and moisture

Insects need water, too, so to prevent fruit fly infestations, it's essential to eliminate any standing water or moisture buildup. Start by draining ice wells at the end of each shift and ensuring all bar sinks are emptied after the last round of glassware cleaning. After draining, wipe down these areas thoroughly with dry paper towels. Don't forget to clean the drains nightly, as water mixed with fruit juices, sweeteners, and liquors can create an inviting environment for fruit flies.

Keep taps, garnish trays, cocktail mixers, and liquor bottles covered

Covering your taps, garnish trays, cocktail mixers, and liquor bottles is a great way to discourage fruit flies. Open taps can drip sugary liquids, garnish trays hold tempting fruit, and unsealed containers can offer easy access to sweet drinks. Make covering these items a standard practice.

Bartenders should also wipe down and sanitize around the taps to eliminate sticky residue. Pay extra attention to the necks and rims of liquor and mixer bottles, as these can accumulate sugary spills. Consider investing in pour spouts with screens or caps so that fruit flies can't crawl into open liquor bottles. If you have specialty liquor or syrup bottles that won't accommodate pour spouts, you'll want to cap them after each use.

DIY ways to get rid of fruit flies

Before we dive into some do-it-yourself methods for tackling those tiny, buzzing fruit flies, remember that while these might offer some temporary relief, they often don't fully resolve the issue. Here are a few common DIY approaches people try:

  • Alcohol/alcohol sprays: Direct spraying or open containers might kill some adult flies, but it isn't a long-term fix and poses sanitary concerns around food and drinks.
  • Homemade and store-bought traps: Sweet liquid and soap traps can catch adult flies, but don't eliminate eggs or larvae. They are generally safer than sprays, but they are not a complete solution.
  • Rotting fruit in a paper cone: Decaying fruit can lure flies into a trap, but it only targets adults, doesn't address breeding, and raises sanitary concerns.
  • Sticky fly paper: Adhesive strips can trap flies, but aren't explicitly targeted for flies and can be unappealing in a bar setting.

While these DIY options might offer minor, temporary relief, they don't tackle the source of the infestation and can even introduce sanitary concerns. For lasting fruit fly control in your bar, professional services are the most effective and hygienic solution.

Fly control with Terminix

When you work in the food service industry, the effectiveness of your pest control plan can make or break your success. Make sure you take the steps to help your business, not fruit flies, thrive. The best way to avoid fruit flies is to have a fly control professional evaluate your situation.

At Terminix, our expert technicians provide targeted treatments that address the entire fruit fly life cycle, helping ensure long-term control. We offer a variety of fly control solutions to effectively and discreetly manage these pests. Get started with Terminix fly control services today!

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