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Adult fruit flies have red eyes and are approximately 1 8 inches in length. Fruit flies lay eggs near fermenting foods or other organic and moist matter. When this breed of larvae emerges, they will continue feeding close to the mass of the fermenting food.
Why are there so many fruit flies all of a sudden?
When fruits and vegetables have been fermenting especially around your house, it can result in a fruit fly infestation. Fruit flies look for moist, organic matter or spoiling food to reproduce in. The female fruit fly reproduces 500 offspring during her short lifespan.
Where are you likely to find this pest?
Fruit flies are attracted to fermenting fruits and vegetables. They are a pest drawn towards garbage disposals, drains, empty bottles and cans, cleaning rags, mops, and trash cans.
You're likely to see these flying pests during the late summer or early fall months. You might also see them in the bottom of trash cans where there is rotting liquids is present.
Is the Fruit Fly Dangerous to Humans?
Primarily, fruit flies are a nuisance. Yet, they do have the potential to present disease-producing bacteria and organisms.
Often fruit flies are confused with other small fly species, such as Phorid Flies, Drain Flies, and Sphaerocerid Flies. Determining the species can be done by recognizing the various sources of breeding areas where an infestation is found, usually in your house.
What Does a Fruit Fly Look Like?
The Drosophila melanogaster is a tiny fly species that grows between three and four millimeters long as an adult. A fruit fly has dark to red eyes.
The body has a light tan thorax, with an abdomen black on the top and gray beneath. Fruit flies are tan or brown in color.
How do You Control Fruit Flies?
The best way to prevent an infestation of fruit flies in your house is to remove the sources of attraction. Seal produce in airtight containers, store it in the refrigerator, and remove any overripe produce.
You can prevent these flies from entering your home by installing mesh screens on windows and doors. You can manage or get rid of fruit flies using aerosol insecticide sprays.
What are the best Methods of Fly Control?
There are plenty of DIY ways to treat a fruit fly infestation in your house. Yet, if their breeding sites aren't properly located, the infestation will remain.
The most effective way of fly control to get rid of fruit flies is to make a fly trap. You can make a fly trap by rolling a piece of paper or a strip of cardboard into a funnel shape. Next, place the funnel inside a jar filled with two to three ounces of apple cider vinegar.
Simple Ways to Control These Flies
Some simple methods you can control fruit flies include wiping down the kitchen counters. Also, you should have the drain cleaned professionally and sterilize garbage cans and dumpsters.
You can also pour hot water down the drain and tape a clear plastic storage bag over the top. Any adult flies will exit the drain, and you will find them in the bag in the morning.
How do Fruit Fly Traps work?
When looking for an effective treatment for getting rid of fruit flies, a fruit fly trap indoor can be efficient. Fruit Fly Traps such as the Natural Catch, InviteFruit Fly Trap, or Vector 960 provide reasonable control of these flying pests.
These traps work by capturing the flying adult fruit flies. Don't be misled into thinking that these traps will control the population. Fruit Fly traps only trap the adults; they do nothing for the eggs or immature larvae.
Are there Safe Ways to Get Rid of Fruit Flies?
Many people prefer not to use sprays and aerosols as methods of treatment in areas due to concerns about food contamination.
Attractant baits and a fruit fly trap offer simple and non-toxic ways to get rid of fruit flies, fruit fly larvae, and other pests.
Other Ways of getting rid of fruit flies
Also, consider using white vinegar to get rid of fruit flies. Just fill a small bowl with vinegar and wait for it to do its job. The vinegar attracts fruit flies forcing them to fall into it, and they are unable to escape.
A fruit fly trap is an effective method for capturing fruit flies for periods in excess of 24 hours.
What is the Life Cycle of a Fruit Fly?
Under ideal conditions, fruit flies have a life cycle of 40 to 50 days. Fruit flies can lay up to 500 eggs at one time.
Sweet and decaying organic material, such as fermenting fruit, is what attracts them.
- Fruit fly eggs take a month to hatch. Therefore, a fruit fly infestation around your house can quickly go from bad to worse in a short time period.
- Female fruit flies lay their eggs near the surface of moist, decaying fruit, fermenting foods, and other moist organic materials.
- The eggs hatch and become larvae, molting two times before becoming entirely grown adult flies.
What do the Larvae eat?
Fruit fly larvae consume yeast organisms, and we can find fungi growth in fruit and vegetables. Through their efforts of feeding, the fruit fly will turn their food into a semi-liquid mass.
Breeding Areas of the Fruit Fly
Fruit Fly areas of breeding are occasionally difficult to locate. Trash containers, drains, areas under and around equipment, tables in the kitchen, and bars. Food storage places are the primary areas to hide eggs and their nests.
They also will breed in drains, garbage disposals, empty bottles, trash containers, mops, and cleaning rags.
Methods of Isolating Fly Breeding Grounds
The best way to eliminate fly populations is to isolate their fly breeding grounds. There are many treatments to use to eradicate these flies. Making food sources scarce is the primary method that causes them to die out.
Seal all Containers
People who can vegetables or fruits or make wine, cider, or beer should ensure the containers are well sealed. Windows and doors should be equipped with tight-fitting (16 mesh) screens to help prevent adults from entering.
What are the Signs of Fruit Flies Infestation
Signs of a fruit fly infestation include witnessing the flying pests buzzing around your home. You might find them in areas where food is found, like in kitchens.
If you see small flies or gnats flying in the light, they are likely these pests. Prevent an infestation of fruit flies by getting rid of items they are attracted to, like rotting products.
Are Fruit Flies a Sign of a Dirty House?
It does not necessarily mean your house is dirty because you have a fruit fly infestation. However, your home could be immaculate, except for that one piece of fruit in the bottom of the fruit bowl.
Having these flying pests could be a sign of food residue building up inside the sink drains. Fruit flies are not a sign of a dirty house. However, it signals the need for quick action.
What can I spray to get Rid of Fruit Flies?
You can spray certain insecticide fogs like CB80 or Pyrethrum Aerosol in the air. Spraying this into the air will kill the adult-winged fruit flies. Only one three-second spray into the air, along with other products, kills the majority of fruit flies in an area.
When it's Time to Call a Professional Pest Control Company
If you have tried everything to kill fruit flies but still see them flying around, it's time to call the professionals. Give us a call and schedule a fruit fly service. Contact A.N.T. Pest Control, and start living free of these flying pests.
