If you still have one fruit fly in your kitchen this holiday season, there will likely be more to come. These hardy insects reproduce quickly and are very difficult to get rid of, as they are attracted to common foods like bread and produce.
With fruit flies, prevention is better than cure. I asked Jody Greenentomologist at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, what causes fruit fly infestations and, more importantly, how to stop or get rid of them once they start.
What causes fruit fly infestations?
Alcohol and high-sugar drinks like beer, wine, and soda are big attractions for fruit flies.
Fruit flies normally cling to any overripe fruit you bring home from the grocery store or any bruised fruit, which tends to ripen and rot more quickly.
Once flies enter your home, she says, they lay their eggs wherever they can — in rotten fruit or any fermented substance, especially onions and potatoes. And as it gets warmer, their life cycle speeds up. This is how infestations happen.
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Fortunately, there are ways to eliminate fruit flies from your kitchen and expel them from your home. Certain steps can help prevent an infestation, while others can help eliminate one. So take a look below and keep your home free from fruit flies.
What do fruit flies look like?
Once fruit flies descend on your kitchen, it's difficult to get them to leave.
Fruit flies are about an eighth of an inch long, have red eyes (although some species have darker eyes), and are light brown with dark rings around the abdomen. They also have two wings (many insects have four).
What Types of Foods and Environments Attract Fruit Flies?
Ripe produce and sweet foods are magnets for fruit flies.
The common name that entomologists give to fruit flies is “vinegar flies.” This is because they are naturally attracted to fermented liquid and when fruits rot, they also ferment.
But fruit flies don't just feed on rotten fruit or vinegar. They also like sugary substances like soda, wine, and beer, and you may find them at the bottom of your trash can or any damp place that has a significant food source.
“Substantial food source” may mean something different to you than it does to the small but mighty fruit fly, Green said. “It may not be the food you want to eat, but fruit flies are so small they only need a tiny microhabitat” – like the leftover soda in a can in your bin recycling or scraps and crumbs in a container to take to your trash, Green said. These are ideal places for fruit flies to breed. Once the weather warms up, it takes less time for fruit fly eggs to develop into babies.
How to Stop a Fruit Fly Infestation Before It Starts
Take out the trash as often as possible during the hot summer months.
To prevent fruit flies from invading your kitchen, it all comes down to cleaning. Keeping your area as dry and food-free as possible prevents pests from continuing their life cycle.
Throw away trash and take out recycling frequently. Clean the bottom of bins when liquid builds up, wipe down counters after cooking, and keep your sink and garbage disposal free of old food, empty dishes, and as dry as possible.
Storing fruits and vegetables in the refrigerator rather than on the counter will also make it more difficult for fruit flies to find them. And because they're attracted to rotten fruit, you need to choose your produce carefully at the store to make sure you don't bring home any rotten or bruised pieces, Green said.
It is especially important to store foods that ferment quickly. Fruit flies feed on the rot produced by cabbages, strawberries, bananas and other fruits and vegetables which can often rot before you notice them. Sugary substances should also be put away, cups should be closed or washed, and trash bags should be replaced regularly to prevent fruit fly infestations.
She also added that you should recycle or compost cartons containing produce as soon as possible, as fruit flies could breed in them. Any area that retains water or is damp, such as a wet kitchen rag or the rug near the sink, could become a breeding ground for fruit flies.
For more tips for the home, here are the best air purifiers for clean air and the best cordless vacuum cleaners.
FAQs
Can I catch fruit flies without skipping fruit?
Yes, you can get fruit flies even if you don't leave fruits and vegetables out of the refrigerator. While fruit flies are attracted to fermented fruits and vegetables, they also like sweet substances. Likewise, flies will invade wine, beer, soda and other sugary liquids if you leave cups of them around the house.
How clean do I need to be to avoid a fruit fly infestation?
Fruit flies are able to subsist on very small amounts of food or drink – leftovers from a takeout box or soda left at the bottom of a can, for example. You should make sure to wash any container before placing it in the trash or recycling bin, especially during the warmer months when fruit flies breed at a rapid rate.
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