If you’ve ever watched a perfectly ripening mango suddenly go bad, you’re not alone.
Fruit flies are every mango grower’s nightmare—tiny but incredibly destructive. They sneak in, lay eggs, and before you know it, your beautiful fruit is infested from the inside. But here’s the good news: with a few smart steps, you can take control. In this guide, we’ll walk you through simple, effective ways to keep fruit flies away from your mangoes—using a mix of natural tricks, smart traps, and safe solutions that really work.

To effectively get rid of fruit flies on mangoes, a combination of preventive measures and control strategies is essential. Here are the recommended methods:

Preventive Measures

• Physical Barriers: Bag the mangoes with fine mesh nets or covers. This creates a physical barrier that prevents fruit flies from accessing the fruit and laying eggs.
• Sanitation: Regularly collect and dispose of fallen or infested fruits. This helps eliminate breeding grounds for the flies. It’s important to bury these fruits properly to prevent larvae from maturing in the soil.
• Soil Management: Plough the topsoil to expose pupae to sunlight, which can kill them and reduce future infestations.
• Remove Wild Hosts: Eliminate nearby wild or old trees that could serve as breeding sites for fruit flies.

Trapping Methods

• Pheromone Traps: Install methyl eugenol traps at a rate of 6 per acre during the fruit development stage. These traps attract and kill male fruit flies, helping to reduce the population.
• DIY Traps: Create traps using a mixture of vinegar, water, and honey or sugar. Place these traps near mango trees to attract and capture fruit flies.

Chemical Control

• Bait Sprays: If there is a severe infestation (more than 5 flies per trap per day), use bait sprays on tree trunks once a week. A common mixture includes 100 grams of jaggery or molasses mixed with 2 ml of deltamethrin in 1 liter of water.
• Neem Oil Sprays: Regularly spray neem oil (azadirachtin) diluted in water as a natural insecticide to deter fruit flies.

Biological Control

• Natural Predators: Introduce beneficial insects like parasitic wasps that prey on fruit fly larvae. This biological control can help manage populations without harmful chemicals.

By implementing these strategies, you can effectively manage and reduce fruit fly infestations on mangoes, ensuring better quality and yield of your harvest.

Citations:
[1] https://kisanvedika.bighaat.com/effective-management-of-fruit-fly-in-mango/
[2] https://krishisevakendra.in/blogs/news/measures-to-control-fruit-fly-in-mango
[3] https://epubs.icar.org.in/index.php/IndHort/article/download/124866/47064/325390
[4] https://kenaff.org/wp/2023/07/12/combatting-mango-fruit-fly-infestation-effective-strategies-for-farmers-in-kenya/
[5] https://www.khethari.com/blogs/news/how-to-manage-fruit-flies-in-mango-effectively
[6] https://www.iihr.res.in/ipm-mango-fruit-fly-bactrocera-dorsalis-hendel
[7] https://openknowledge.fao.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/6a6c0bf9-ef1e-4930-b4a8-43eaba093664/content
[8] https://www.swisscontact.org/en/news/training-mango-growers-in-fruit-fly-control
[9] https://mitraweb.in/blogs/how-to-manage-fruit-flies-in-mango-effectively/
[10] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tk9odeHEWq4

Admin

Md. Gaushoul Agam 
Co-Founder & CEO, ToAgriculture
Experienced Horticulture Officer | Sustainable Farming Advocate

I am a passionate and experienced Horticulture Officer with over 14 years in the Department of Agricultural Extension, Bangladesh. My goal is to transform agriculture through knowledge, innovation, and sustainable practices.

I founded ToAgriculture to empower farmers and agriculture enthusiasts with science-backed knowledge and modern farming solutions. The platform addresses global challenges like food safety, shrinking arable land, and climate change—while promoting practical, localized strategies.
What I Do at ToAgriculture:

Control pests and manage plant diseases using eco-friendly methods.
Promote modern, climate-smart farming techniques.
Support farmers with irrigation, crop rotation, and grafting guidance.
Encourage sustainable vegetable and fruit farming practices.

I have hands-on experience in field crops and horticulture, with deep knowledge of soil health, pest control, and irrigation systems.

Join me on this journey as I share real-world insights and practical tips to help you grow healthier crops, improve yields, and build a resilient farming future.