Controlling Fruit Flies
Size
The fruit fly is among the smallest flies found in homes, and about 1/8-inch long including the wings.
Appearance
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Fruit Flies have bright red eyes.
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Fruit Flies are about one-third the size of a housefly.
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Fruit Flies are usually light yellow or tan color
Biology
Fruit Flies multiply fast in late summer and early fall, especially during the harvest season of fruits and vegetables. They often show up around fresh fruits and vegetables, rotting fruits and vegetables and damp organic materials.
Near the end of summer, Fruit Flies become a nuisance in kitchens, bathrooms and garbage or recycling storage areas.
Fruit Flies are often found hovering around decaying vegetation and overripe fruit. Empty soda, beer and juice cans or bottles attract Fruit Flies and provide breeding areas.
Health Concerns
Because small flies such as Fruit Flies frequent unsanitary areas such as floor drains and filthy water deposits, they could potentially carry disease-causing bacteria onto food products. Inadvertent digestion of the Fruit Fly larvae can cause intestinal discomfort and diarrhea. For this reason, we should be concerned when fruit flies are found infesting food preparation and storage areas.
Life Cycle
Fruit Flies lay eggs on or near fermenting materials such as decaying fruit and vegetables, beverages, garbage cans or slime in drains. The Fruit Fly Larvae hatch from the eggs and feed on fermenting material for a week or less.
The life cycle of the Fruit Fly, under ideal conditions, can be completed in as little as eight days from egg to adult. Normally, their life cycle from egg to adult is approximately 10 days.
Inspection
Sanitation is the key in controlling Fruit Flies. Removing their food and breeding sources is extremely important in order to eliminate them.
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Eliminate Fruit Fly breeding and food sources where vegetables or fruits are stored without refrigeration.
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Look for fruit fly sources in garbage cans, under appliances, and recycling bins.
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Fruit Fly larva can only survive in decaying organic matter that is moist.
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Food and materials where fruit flies can lay their eggs must be removed or isolated from the egg-laying adults.
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Killing adult fruit flies will reduce infestation, but elimination of fruit fly breeding areas is critical complete control.
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Control
Traps are very helpful and effective tools in eliminating Fruit Flies. Place the traps near areas that Fruit Flies are swarming. Next, remove or isolate all vegetable and fruit materials.
Traps such as the Spring Star Fruit Fly Trap
or the Vector Fruit Fly Trap
work very well, but even with the use of traps, it is critical to follow through on the following hose keeping tasks:
Seal ripening bananas and other fruits and vegetables in airtight zip lock plastic bags.
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Promptly remove all garbage, recycling materials and kitchen scraps from food processing and storage areas.
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Rinse soda, beer and fruit juice bottles, cans or containers before discarding.
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Remove, empty and clean trash containers as often as several times per day if necessary.
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Don’t leave dirty dishes or cooking utensils laying around or soaking in sinks.
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After preparing meals, thoroughly clean counters and appliances.
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Scrub sinks and empty drain debris baskets promptly.
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