Fruit flies are attracted to ripened fruits and vegetables in the kitchen. They may also congregate around trash cans, garbage disposals and drains.
Facts About Fruit Flies
Fruit flies are among the smallest flies. An adult fruit fly is only about an eighth of an inch in length. The flies eat fermented and ripened fruit. They also lay their eggs there. With ideal conditions, fruit flies can lay 500 eggs. When the larvae emerges from the eggs, they begin to feed on the ripened fruit. The baby fruit fly grows into an adult fruit fly in one week. It is easy to see how a few fruit flies turn into an infestation of flies.
How to Prevent a Fruit Fly Infestation
- Ripe fruits and vegetables should not be stored on the counter top. Any fruits or vegetables with cracks on the flesh should be cut away and discarded. This is in the event that fruit flies have laid eggs on the exposed area. Eating the larvae can cause intestinal discomfort and diarrhea.
- If canning fruits or vegetables, care must be taken to ensure that lids are tight fitting. Fruit flies will lay eggs under a loose fitting canning lid.
- Window screens should be tight fitting without holes or cracks to ensure adult fruit flies do not enter the home from the outside.
- Fruit flies also hover around fermenting beverages such as open beer or soft drink cups. Check for misplaced beverages.
- Ensure that garbage cans have tightly fitting lids.
How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies
It is important to identify the breeding site for the flies. Check under the kitchen sink or near recycling areas for any forgotten over-ripe produce. Secure a plastic bag over the garbage disposal or sink drain opening. Check the bag in a few hours to see if adult fruit flies are caught in the bag. Once the breeding ground is discovered, it must be thoroughly sanitized to discourage future growth.
There are several methods available to eliminate the fruit flies already in the area.
- Make a trap using wine or apple cider vinegar. Take a small clean jar or cup. Place a small amount of fruity wine or apple cider vinegar in it. Cover the jar with plastic wrap. Poke a few small holes in the top of the plastic wrap. The flies can get in, but they can't get out. Keep the trap out for approximately two weeks. Discard.
- Use an insecticide made for fruit flies.
- Purchase a fruit fly trap. These plastic or cardboard traps have a sticky surface with a scent of fruit or vinegar to attract the fly.
- Use a specially made gel for drains and other openings to eliminate the film around drain openings where flies like to breed.
Fruit flies have the potential to carry bacteria onto the surface of the fruits and vegetables we eat. Eliminating a breeding area for this insect is the key to getting rid of them.
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