Have any of you had extra trouble with fruit flies this past summer? I sure have. Science offers a little comfort by explaining that we can't fully control how and when fruit flies enter our kitchen, no matter how intensely we clean things. It's just the way it is with these pests.

But everything I've read about them does say we CAN control their ability to thrive. How? 'The key to keeping fruit flies at bay is to eliminate all food sources and potential breeding grounds,' scientists say.

I know this. You probably do, too. What baffles me is that they still show up despite my efforts to keep my kitchen as clean as possible. I put away all food and dishes, I wipe down all counters and surfaces, and take out the trash and recycling each night. I scrub the sink, wring out my sponge, and sweep. And still--fruit flies--they haunt me.

Turns out, most fruit flies either make their way into the kitchen by flying in or via the produce we buy, which may carry eggs that eventually hatch. Because these eggs are so tiny (what entomologist Molly Keck says are "probably the size of a grain of salt"), it's unlikely we'll notice them.

OK, so what do we do? First of all, because it's so crucial to keep fruits and vegetables covered, we may have to go to forego keeping the fruit basket on the counter through the summer, and refrigerate our fruit instead. The advice I read also said we'd be smart to get into the habit of bagging food scraps and taking them outside to the trash immediately upon finishing any food prep. That makes sense.

But experts say, and here's the BIG DEAL, we also need to attack the less obvious places where fruit flies can lay eggs, hatch, and feed. For instance, sanitizing not only countertops, but also DRAINS. And for extra precaution, rinsing out all cans, jars, or bottles before recycling them. Then lastly, running the disposal often and as mentioned above, disposing of trash and compost frequently (likely more than once a day).

The reality is: Without getting rid of any and all food sources and breeding grounds for fruit flies, a kitchen will continue to be a hotbed for those pesky little buggers, no matter how spotless it appears at first glance.

Ultimately, keeping fruit flies at bay isn't about keeping our kitchen tidy, but about maintaining a much higher level of cleanliness. But the encouraging news is, with a little effort, it's possible to keep them away for good!