LifestyleCleaningWith more hot weather sweeping the country, it's the perfect conditions for fruit flies to breed.10:12, 09 Jul 2026A heatwave is in full swing across the UK with temperatures creeping up to 35°C in some parts of the country. These high temperatures can create more problems than just feeling hot and bothered - they also create the perfect breeding ground for some types of insects. Fruit flies are one such pest that thrives in these sweltering temperatures.‌In usual temperatures where rooms reach around 20°C, a fruit fly egg matures to adulthood in around 10 days. However, the hotter it gets, the quicker that process becomes. In a 25°C room, fruit flies become adults in under a week.‌Ryan Kaila, waste and bin specialist at Kingfisher Direct, said: “When fruit flies become a problem, a lot of people immediately focus on traps, sprays or trying to catch the adult flies they can see.‌"While that might help in the short term, it doesn’t deal with the real source of the problem.”The real issue is the breeding - it’s better to try and prevent fruit flies breeding than try to extinguish an adult population.‌Ryan said: “The issue is usually the food waste bin, where the breeding cycle is continuing in the background."If food waste is left sitting in a warm kitchen for several days, it gives fruit flies enough time to lay eggs and for larvae to start developing."That’s why people often feel like the flies keep coming back, no matter how many they get rid of”.‌To try and keep your kitchen clear of fruit flies in hot weather, it’s crucial to empty and clean the bins - and food waste bins especially - every two days.Ryan said: “The aim is to remove the breeding ground before the flies have a chance to mature. Emptying the bin more frequently gets rid of eggs and larvae before they can develop, while also reducing the smells and residue that attract more flies in the first place.Article continues belowIt’s a simple change, but it can make a big difference.Ryan added: "Instead of waiting until you have a full infestation, you’re disrupting the lifecycle early and stopping the problem before it properly takes hold.”Once you have taken the bins out, make sure you rinse and sanitise the bins to clean up any spills. Where possible, keep the lids closed and avoid leaving food scraps out.Choose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.‌property newsHeatwaveWeatherCleaning