How To Get Rid Of Fruit Flies

Tiny, pesky fruit flies seem to always find a way into our kitchens, making a beeline for our ripened fruits and vegetables. These bothersome insects can quickly turn your fresh produce into a breeding ground, leaving you feeling frustrated and eager to find a solution. In this blog, we'll share some practical tips and tricks on how to get rid of fruit flies.

What Are Fruit Flies?

Fruit flies, or Drosophila melanogaster, are small insects that are attracted to ripening or decaying fruits, vegetables, and other organic matter. Also known as sugar flies, they breed rapidly, with females laying hundreds of eggs on these surfaces, which soon hatch into larvae. As a result, a small fruit problem can escalate into a full-blown fruit fly infestation in a matter of days.

How To Get Rid of Fruit Flies in Your Kitchen

By following these tips, you can banish those pesky fruit flies and reclaim your kitchen as a fruit fly-free zone.

1. Eliminate Their Food Source

The first step to getting rid of fruit flies is to eliminate the source of their attraction: overripe or rotting fruits and vegetables. Inspect your kitchen for any such items and promptly discard them in sealed garbage bags. Pay special attention to forgotten or overlooked produce in the pantry, refrigerator, or countertop fruit baskets.

2. Maintain a Clean Kitchen

Fruit flies are not only attracted to fruits and vegetables but also to other organic matter, like spilled juices, sugary residues, foodscapes, and moist surfaces. Regularly clean your kitchen, wiping down kitchen countertops, mopping floors, and scrubbing sinks to ensure there are no enticing leftovers for the pesky flies.

3. Store Fruits and Vegetables Properly

To deter fruit flies from entering your kitchen, store your fresh produce properly. Keep fruits and vegetables in the refrigerator or sealed containers to minimize their exposure and slow down the ripening process. This will help reduce the chances of attracting fruit flies.

4. Create Fruit Fly Traps

When you've cleared the kitchen of potential food sources, it's time to set up fruit fly traps. You can create simple yet effective homemade fruit fly traps using items readily available in your kitchen. Scroll down for some of the most common DIY fly traps.

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5. Use Commercial Traps or Sprays

If the homemade traps don't yield the desired results, you can consider purchasing fruit fly traps—such as sticky paper—or sprays from a local store. These insect traps and products are specifically designed to attract and capture fruit flies effectively.

6. Keep Trash Cans Sealed

Ensure your trash bins have tightly sealed lids to prevent fruit flies from accessing the tempting waste inside. Regularly empty and clean the bins to minimize any potential odor or attraction.

7. Monitor and Be Persistent

Ridding your kitchen of fruit flies may take some time and persistence, especially if the infestation has already taken hold. Continuously monitor your traps, clean the kitchen diligently, and repeat the process until the fruit flies are completely gone.

8. Call Professional Exterminators

If you are dealing with a fruit fly infestation you can't seem to shake or are looking to protect your kitchen from common household pests, call a professional pest control company. If you live in Central Florida, contact Blue Door Pest Control for more information.

How To Make Fruit Fly Traps

If you are looking for some easy natural fly traps, test out one of these three easy methods.

But remember to regularly check and refresh the traps as needed, especially if they become filled with fruit flies. These traps can be an excellent way to capture and control fruit flies in your home without the use of harmful chemicals.

Vinegar Trap

Materials:

• Small bowl or cup
• Apple cider vinegar (or red wine vinegar)
• Dish soap
• Plastic wrap
• Rubber band
• Toothpick or a fork

Instructions:

1. Pour a small amount of apple cider vinegar into the bowl or cup, about 1/2 to 1 inch deep.
2. Add a drop or two of dish soap to the vinegar and swirl gently. The drops of dish soap will break the surface tension of the vinegar, making it difficult for the fruit flies to escape.
3. Cover the bowl or cup with a piece of plastic wrap. Use the rubber band to secure the plastic wrap tightly around the rim of the container.
4. Use a toothpick or fork to poke several small holes in the plastic wrap, creating entry points for the fruit flies.
5. Place the trap near areas where you see fruit flies or suspect their activity. The fruit flies will be attracted to the vinegar, enter through the holes, and become trapped inside.

Fruit Trap

Materials:

• Small jar or cup
• Overripe fruit (banana, apple, peach, etc.)

Instructions:

1. Take a small jar or cup and place a piece of overripe fruit inside.
2. Cover the opening of the jar with plastic wrap.
3. Secure the plastic wrap in place using a rubber band.
4. Create several small holes in the plastic wrap using a toothpick or fork to allow the fruit flies to enter.
5. Set the trap near areas where fruit flies are active or where you store fruits and vegetables. The fruit flies will be lured into the jar by the scent of the ripe fruit but will find it challenging to escape.

Cone Trap

Materials:

• Piece of paper or index card
• Tape
• Apple cider vinegar (or red wine vinegar)
• Plastic bottle or wine bottle

Instructions:

1. Cut a piece of paper or index card to form a cone with a small opening at the pointed end.
2. Use tape to secure the cone's shape and ensure it holds together.
3. Pour a small amount of apple cider vinegar into the plastic bottle, about 1/2 inch deep.
4. Place the cone into the bottle, with the small opening facing down toward the vinegar.
5. Tape the cone in place on the bottle's rim to ensure it stays in position.
6. Set the trap in areas where fruit flies are present or near fruit and vegetable storage spaces. The fruit flies will be attracted to the vinegar and enter the bottle through the cone but will have difficulty finding their way out.

FAQ About Fruit Flies

Here are some other things that are helpful to know when trying to get rid of fruit flies.

What Do Fruit Flies Look Like?

Fruit flies are small insects, about 3 to 4 millimeters long, with a tan to light brown color and distinctive red eyes. They have a compact body with three main body segments: head, thorax, and abdomen. Their wings are clear and membranous, and they have six legs. The red eyes of fruit flies are a prominent feature, although not all species have red eyes.

Where Do Fruit Flies Come From?

Fruit flies typically originate from their natural outdoor habitat, where they breed on decaying fruits, vegetables, and other organic matter. They are commonly found in gardens, orchards, and compost piles. However, fruit flies can also find their way into homes and indoor spaces through open doors, windows, or even on fruits and vegetables purchased from stores.

The Fruit Fly Lifecycle

Fruit flies undergo a simple metamorphosis with four stages in their lifecycle: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The entire life cycle takes about 8 to 10 days to complete under ideal conditions.

1. Egg: Female fruit flies lay their eggs on overripe or decaying fruits, vegetables, and other organic materials. A single female can lay hundreds of eggs during her short lifespan.
2. Larva: The fruit fly eggs hatch into tiny larvae or maggots that feed on the fermenting, decomposing matter where they were laid. These larvae grow rapidly and undergo several molting stages as they consume the decaying material.
3. Pupa: After the larval stage, the fruit fly pupates by forming a protective outer casing, known as a puparium. Inside the puparium, the transformation from larva to adult fly takes place.
4. Adult: The fully developed adult fruit fly emerges from the puparium. They are now ready to mate and lay eggs, completing the cycle.

How Long Do Fruit Flies Live?

The lifespan of a fruit fly varies depending on factors like temperature, food availability, and other environmental conditions. On average, the adult lifespan of a fruit fly is about 40 to 50 days. Due to the warmer temperature, the adult lifespan of a fruit fly in Florida can be around 20 to 30 days.

Are Fruit Flies Dangerous?

No, fruit flies are not dangerous to humans. They are considered more of a nuisance than a threat, as they do not bite or sting. However, they can be bothersome and may contaminate food if not controlled properly - in some cases, they can even cause an allergic reaction.

Are Fruit Flies and Drain Flies The Same?

Fruit flies and drain flies are two different types of flies, and they are not the same insect. The confusion may arise because both types of flies are small and can be found in and around kitchens and other areas with organic matter.

Fruit flies (Drosophila) are commonly found near ripe or decaying fruits and vegetables. They are attracted to the sweet scent of fermenting fruits and can also be found near other organic materials like spilled fruit juices, ripe bananas, rotten fruit, and food scraps. They are typically seen flying around fruit bowls, trash cans, and compost piles.

On the other hand, drain flies (Psychodidae), also known as moth flies, are found in moist environments, such as sink drains, garbage disposals, sewage systems, and damp areas. They are attracted to the organic matter and bacteria accumulating in drains and other moist spaces. Drain flies have a fuzzy appearance and are often seen flying around bathroom and kitchen sinks, shower drains, and other areas with standing water.

While both fruit flies and drain flies can be annoying when present in large numbers, there are a variety of differences between fruit flies and drain flies in regard to their different habitats, breeding sites, and behaviors. It's important to identify them correctly to implement effective control measures and prevent their populations from becoming problematic in your living spaces.

If you are battling a fruit fly infestation in your home, call the experts at Blue Door. Our Jupiter, Florida exterminators are trained in the most safe and effective methods of removing the most common pests found in Florida homes. If you are unhappy with your current pest control provider, contact us today to take advantage of our Switch and Save Promotion for Jupiter, FL and surrounding areas.