A big pest control myth is that fruit spawns fruit flies. As in, fruit flies materialize out of fruit. We get it, fruit flies really do seem to come out of nowhere. However, if you really want to get rid of fruit flies once and for all, you need to get this myth out of your head and learn the real origin of a fruit fly infestation.
In this blog, we’ll cover what fruit flies are, where fruit flies really come from, and reasons you may have an infestation in your house. Let’s get started.
What are Fruit Flies?
There are over 1500 species of small fruit flies. However, the name "fruit fly” has become largely synonymous with Drosophila melanogaster (the common fruit fly). The common fruit fly (aka a vinegar or wine fly) belongs to the Drosophila genus and the Drosophilidae family. They are quite small (around ⅛ of an inch) and are brown, tan, or yellow, with bright red eyes.
Adult fruit flies have relatively long antennae that may appear hairy. Fruit fly larvae look like maggots: they are cream-colored, 1/10 inch-long, thin, and spindle-shaped.
Adult flies lay eggs in any fermenting liquid, especially vegetable or fruit matter. Fruit flies practice inbreeding and reproduce indoors rapidly—which is why fruit fly infestations can get out of hand very quickly.
Where Do Fruit Flies Come From?
If you have an infestation in your home, you may be wondering, “How do fruit flies seem to appear out of nowhere?” Fruit flies can end up on your food and in your house a couple different ways, including:
- They were already on your food when you brought it home. Fruit fly eggs are extremely tiny and adults often lay them inside fruits and vegetables. It’s possible some of your food had fruit fly eggs inside it.
- They “smelled” their way into your home. Fruit flies’ highly-focused and acute sense of smell enables them to follow even the faintest scent of fermentation. If you keep any amount of fruit out in your kitchen, fruit flies can smell it and will likely want a piece of it!
- They “squeezed” their way into your home. Fruit flies are so tiny that they have no problem squeezing through the tiniest of wall or door cracks. Once inside, they’ll start reproducing and laying eggs immediately.
Why Are There Fruit Flies in My House?
Fruit fly larvae feed on the yeast that grows on fermenting, liquefying items. Contrary to their name, fruit flies will infest any rotting material, not just fruit. They’ll find any source of moisture or decaying material, including sponges, mops, or even puddles of water. This type of material is where adult fruit flies lay eggs.
Kitchen sink drains commonly foster fruit fly infestations. Basically, if there’s any rotting material in your home, fruit flies will find it and then use it. They’re particularly attracted to garbage, compost, drains, and anywhere else they can find rotting food. If you leave fruit out until it ripens, it’ll attract all kinds of fruit flies.
A few other spaces that fruit flies are drawn to include:
- Garbage Cans
- Pantries
- Basements
- Attics
- Any area with a plumbing leak
There Are Fruit Flies Everywhere in My House. How Do I Get Rid of Them?
You can try eliminating fruit flies in your home with a homemade fly trap. Here’s how to make one:
- Start by pouring some vinegar into a jar
- Pour about an inch of apple cider vinegar into the glass. The vinegar's fruity scent is highly attractive to fruit flies.
- Cut a small corner off a plastic baggie with scissors. The hole should be just big enough for fruit flies to enter but small enough to prevent them from easily escaping.
- Place the baggie over the glass, aligning the cut hole with the center.
- Push the cut corner down into the glass, forming a funnel that doesn’t touch the vinegar.
- Secure the baggie to the glass with a rubber band.
Place your homemade traps in areas of the house where you see the most fruit flies. If you have a heavy infestation, consider making multiple traps and placing them throughout the house. After a couple of days, you’ll likely notice dead fruit flies floating in the vinegar. Empty the trap as needed and refill until the infestation is gone.
Prevention: How Do I Keep Fruit Flies Out?
Once you’ve gotten rid of your infestation or you’d simply like to prevent one from ever happening, make sure to follow these tips:
- Clean out your garbage and rinse the bin and boxes at least weekly.
- Make sure you don’t leave behind any food residue on dining or food prep surfaces.
- Clean your pantry and cabinets thoroughly.
- Rinse out or throw out your sponges or other dishwashing equipment regularly.
- Keep fruit inside the refrigerator (instead of the counter or cupboards).
- Keep an eye out for plumbing leaks (and fix them ASAP).
The more you can control moisture and fermentation accumulation, the better. Fruit flies are one of the most enduring pests people contend with all year. They’ll take whatever you give them, and they’ll thrive on very little. If you want to wipe out your fruit flies, you’ll have to give them nothing.
The Best Way to Keep Fruit Flies Out of Your Home: Plunkett’s Pest Control
Following the tips above should help prevent a fruit fly infestation. However, sometimes these pesky pests are hard to handle! If you need additional help dealing with a fruit fly infestation, contact Plunkett’s. Whether you have a minor infestation or a full-blown invasion, we’ll wipe it out and keep it out. Every time!
