The essentials in 30 seconds
Identify the fly first: fruit flies are tiny, brownish, with red eyes, and gather around the fruit bowl, the food-waste bin and bottles; drain flies are furry with broad, heart-shaped wings and come out of sinks and shower drains; fungus gnats are small and black and fly clumsily around house plants; house flies come in from outside. For fruit flies: put ripe fruit in the fridge, empty and clean bins, and set a cider vinegar trap. For drain flies: scrub the inside of the drain. For gnats: let the compost dry out between waterings.
- Traps catch adults, but more will hatch until you clean the source.
- Run water in drains you rarely use, so the trap stays full.
- Herbal remedies have little effect.
Which fly you have and where it comes from
| Fly | What it looks like | Usual source | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fruit fly | Tiny, yellowish to dark brown, red eyes | Ripe fruit, food-waste bin, bottles, drains | Remove ripe fruit, clean bins, vinegar trap |
| Drain fly | Small, furry, broad wings | Sink and shower traps, floor drains | Scrub the drain with a brush |
| Fungus gnat | Small, black, clumsy flight | Damp compost in house plants | Water less, yellow sticky traps |
| House fly | Grey, medium-sized, four dark stripes on the back | Rubbish, food scraps, outdoors | Screens, closed bins, cleaning |
How to get rid of fruit flies
-
01
Remove their food
Put ripe fruit in the fridge, close the food-waste bin and empty it often, and rinse bottles and cans.
-
02
Set a vinegar trap
A jar with a few centimetres of cider vinegar and a drop of washing-up liquid, covered with cling film pierced with small holes, or with a paper funnel.
-
03
Clean
The sink, bins and any sticky spills. Check drains and the waste disposal too: fruit flies also breed there.
-
04
Refresh and repeat
Replace the vinegar weekly and keep going for a few days after the last fly.
Drain flies: the short version
Drain flies breed in the slimy film inside sink, shower and floor drains. Tape over the drains at night to find the source, then scrub inside the pipe with a drain brush and keep every trap topped up with water. Our drain flies guide covers identification, other breeding spots and a one-week plan.
Fungus gnats in house plants
- Let the top layer of compost dry out between waterings.
- Empty saucers of standing water.
- Use yellow sticky traps for the adults.
- Repot with fresh compost if it stays soggy.
Flies coming in from outside
- Fly screens on windows and patio doors.
- Rubbish in a lidded bin with tied bags, and outdoor bins kept closed.
- Seal gaps around windows, doors and pipes.
- Fans: flies avoid moving air.
- Sticky traps or light traps in kitchens and garages.
- Check for a source nearby: bins, compost or pet waste.
Small flies: frequently asked questions
Where do fruit flies come from?
From ripe fruit and vegetables, food-waste bins, bottles and also drains. They breed very quickly where there is moist, fermenting material.
What is the best fruit fly trap?
A jar with cider vinegar and a drop of washing-up liquid, covered with pierced cling film or a paper funnel.
Why do I have flies coming out of the drain?
They are usually drain flies breeding in the slimy film inside the pipe. Scrub the drain and run water through it regularly.
How do I get rid of small black flies in my plants?
They are fungus gnats. Let the compost dry out between waterings and use yellow sticky traps.
How long does it take to get rid of fruit flies?
Usually a few days once the source is removed and a trap is in place.
Sources
University guidance, checked on 24 October 2026.
- Penn State Extension · Common urban pests ↗Fruit flies (red eyes, breeding in drains and bins, cider vinegar trap) and house flies (identification and control).
- US EPA · Dos and don'ts of pest control ↗Safe use of insecticides at home.
Flies still around?
Note which room they gather in and check bins, fruit and drains there first.