How to get rid of fruit flies
Fruit flies really can't help being attracted to your first-fermentation vessels. It's not a sign anything's wrong with your process — but they're very annoying. Here's how to deal with the pesky bugs.
How to get rid of fruit flies · Watch on YouTube
First things first: the cover
Make sure your F1 vessels are covered with a breathable but fine-weave cloth — bandanas, clean cotton, even coffee filters work well. Your kombucha gets to "breathe" (that smell is exactly what attracts the flies), while the cloth keeps the insects from ever touching your brew. Secure it snugly with a rubber band. More on covers →
Sadly, toss the batch and restart with a tighter cover — flies lay eggs, and larvae are not a flavor note anyone wants.
Make a kombucha "trap"
In a small container, pour a little kombucha (flavored or unflavored, doesn't matter) and a small swirl of dish soap. The flies come for the kombucha, land in the liquid, and can't get out. Some brewers skip the dish soap since the flies usually drown in the kombucha anyway; you can also stretch plastic wrap over the container and poke a few holes — flies find their way in and can't find their way out. Clean it out and repeat as necessary.
Vacuum up large infestations
Ange once had a real one — a momma fly apparently laid eggs somewhere in the house, and all her babies flocked to the kombucha vessels. The fix: keep the vacuum near the brew vessel and periodically use the hand-held attachment to vacuum up the flies. At any given moment there were half a dozen perched on the vessel; by the end of the day, the infestation was gone.
Skip the citronella
Avoid citronella candles, sprays and other insect repellents near your vessels — the odors and chemicals can seep into your kombucha. Not yummy.