Fruit Flies

Fruit Flies

Color: Fruit flies are tan or brownish-yellow or brownish-black with red eyes. The thorax of the fruit fly may be darker than the rest of its body.

Characteristics: Fruit flies thrive in kitchens, where they can be found swarming near newly decaying fruit, vegetables, or other decaying organic matter.

Size: Adult fruit flies are about ⅛ of an inch long.

Danger Level: Potentially dangerous, but mainly due to diseases they may pick up and spread from other areas/surfaces, including sewers and garbage.

WHAT ARE FRUIT FLIES?

Fruit flies get their name from their small size and their penchant for laying eggs near fruits. They are often found near decaying, overripe, or fermenting fruit, vegetables, or other organic matter. Alongside the house fly, fruit flies are the most prolific species of fly found in the Wisconsin area.

Females lay their eggs near these surfaces, often in clutches of about 500. These eggs then hatch 30 hours later which is why you might see young fruit flies often developing in or near the fruit.

While their lifespan is short—eight to ten days on average—fruit flies’ reproductive potential is huge. This is why you often see them in swarms.

Fruit flies breed quickly, with females laying hundreds of eggs on decaying fruit. In just a few days, eggs hatch into larvae (maggots) and rapidly grow into adult flies with bright red eyes and distinctive thorax markings. Their short lifespan and quick breeding make fruit fly infestations challenging to control without proper pest management techniques.

HOW MANY TYPES OF FRUIT FLIES ARE THERE?

There are thousands of species of fruit flies, but the most common type affecting homes and businesses is the small vinegar flies.

In Wisconsin, some common fruit fly species include:

Common Fruit Fly: Frequently found around ripened and decaying fruits, this species is known for its quick breeding cycle and can be a nuisance in homes and businesses.

Vinegar Fly: These small flies are often attracted to fermenting foods and beverages and are commonly found in kitchens and garbage disposals.

Fungus Gnats: Though not true fruit flies, fungus gnats can be just as much of a nuisance. They are attracted to damp soil and decaying plant matter and can sometimes be mistaken for fruit flies.

Although fruit flies are diverse in species and can vary in appearance and behavior, they all share similar habits that make them challenging to manage if a large infestation occurs.

Fruit fly infestations can grow quickly out of hand – no matter what species you’re infested with. If you find your infestation is quickly losing control, it’s important that you hire expert fruit fly exterminators for your home (or commercial space).

WHY DO I HAVE FRUIT FLIES?

You might find fruit flies in your home due to overripe or decaying fruits, vegetables, and other organic materials. Plus, if you have any open food sources like garbage cans, compost bins, and garbage disposals that haven’t been emptied in a while, you might find yourself with vinegar flies.

Fruit flies are tiny and can therefore get into your home via small cracks or even regular door or window screens. Fruit flies may also enter your home along with your groceries, such as fruit, vegetables, poorly-sealed jars or and bottled goods that have already been infested by fruit fly larvae.

Once they’ve entered your home, fruit flies can breed quickly and like to proliferate in areas like garbage cans, compost bins, and food spills.

Their rapid reproduction and attraction to food sources make them a persistent nuisance in environments with these conditions.

ARE FRUIT FLIES DANGEROUS?

Unlike house flies, which pose higher health concerns due to their spreading of pathogens from garbage, feces, and other unsanitary spaces, fruit flies are generally considered more of a nuisance pest.

While fruit flies don’t bite or sting, fruit flies they can—and often do—visit unsanitary areas, such as garbage and sewers. Once they land on and visit these places, they can pick up bacteria or other pathogens and enter your home.

Great care should be taken to eliminate the spread of diseases due to fruit flies.

HOW TO GET RID OF FRUIT FLIES

Eliminating fruit flies can be challenging to tackle on your own. It’s crucial to address larva breeding sites by thoroughly cleaning, emptying, and drying trash bins. Additionally, effective fruit fly control involves securing screens, sealing gaps, and using various traps.

To protect your property from fruit fly infestations, consider consulting our team of professional exterminators. At Terminix Wil-Kil, we offer tailored pest control services, including the installation of discreet Lumnia LED fly traps and a customized pest management strategy. Our goal is to help ensure your space remains clean, hygienic and protected from future infestations.

HOW TO GET RID OF FRUIT FLIES NATURALLY

Getting rid of fruit flies naturally can sometimes be risky because it may not fully address the underlying problem. While natural methods like using vinegar traps or essential oils can help manage minor infestations, they might not effectively eliminate all breeding sites or address larger infestations.

Additionally, natural remedies might not reach all areas where fruit flies breed, such as hidden decaying matter or hard-to-clean spots. In some cases, relying solely on natural methods might allow the infestation to persist or worsen.

For comprehensive protection against fruit flies, we recommend enlisting the help of professional exterminators. Terminix Wil-Kil Pest Control experts are skilled in detecting fruit fly infestations and identifying their breeding grounds. We use targeted strategies to effectively manage and eliminate fruit fly populations in your home or place of business.

MANAGING & TREATING FRUIT FLIES

We employ a comprehensive, multi-step pest management approach in both residential and commercial spaces:

Inspection and Assessment
We start with a thorough inspection to assess the extent of your fruit fly infestation and pinpoint breeding sites such as overripe fruit, compost piles, and spilled food. We also identify potential entry points where fruit flies might enter your home or commercial space.

Sanitation and Exclusion
Our team provides tailored recommendations to improve sanitation, focusing on proper food storage, effective cleaning practices, and addressing moisture issues. We also help seal potential entry points, such as gaps in windows and doors, to prevent fruit flies from coming back.

Targeted Treatments
We apply precise treatments to control fruit fly populations. This includes using specialized insecticides and setting up fruit fly traps in strategic locations. Our commercial spaces option involves the discreet Lumnia LED Fly Trap which utilizes energy-efficient LED technology to attract and capture fruit flies.

Ongoing Monitoring and Follow-Up
We schedule regular follow-up visits to evaluate the effectiveness of our treatments and make any necessary adjustments. Our goal is to ensure long-term control of fruit fly populations in your property.

Education and Prevention
We provide guidance on maintaining cleanliness, managing waste, and performing routine inspections to help prevent future fruit fly issues.

IS FRUIT FLY TREATMENT SAFE?

Yes, our fruit fly treatments are safe.

We prioritize your health and safety by using only EPA-registered products. All Terminix Wil-Kil pest control professionals are licensed and trained to apply treatments correctly, ensuring your environment remains safe.

HOW SOON CAN YOU GET HERE?

We prioritize our customers’ needs and are committed to providing prompt service. Your Terminix Wil-Kil technician will arrive as soon as possible to address your fruit fly concerns.

HOW DO I PREVENT FRUIT FLIES?

To prevent fruit flies from infesting your home or commercial space, consider:

Regularly Cleaning Eating Areas: Maintain cleanliness by wiping down surfaces and removing food scraps

Storing Food Properly: Keep fruits and vegetables in sealed containers or the refrigerator

Inspecting Produce and Foods: Check fruits, jars, and bottled items for signs of spoilage before purchasing

Discarding Overripe Items: Promptly remove and dispose of any overripe or decaying produce

Sealing Leaks and Fixtures: Fix any leaky pipes or water sources that can attract fruit flies

Sealing Cracks and Gaps: Ensure windows, screens, and doors are properly sealed to prevent entry.

Contact Terminix Wil-Kil Pest Control for tailored advice and effective solutions to keep fruit flies and other pests at bay. Our expert technicians will assess your property and address how best to keep your home or business safe, clean and hygienic.

FAQs

HOW LONG DO FRUIT FLIES LIVE?

Fruit flies generally live for around 7 to 10 days. Their life cycle progresses from eggs to larvae, then to pupae, and finally to adult flies. In optimal conditions with abundant food sources, such as decaying fruit and organic material, they reproduce quickly. A single female can lay hundreds of eggs, leading to rapid fruit fly populations if not controlled properly.

WHAT DO FRUIT FLIES EAT?

Fruit flies primarily feed on fermenting and decaying organic material, including overripe and decaying fruits and vegetables. They are particularly attracted to sugary food sources and spilled beverages. Fruit fly larvae thrive in these environments, consuming the decaying matter as they develop. They may also be found around compost, garbage cans, and other areas with rotting organic material. Proper sanitation and waste management are key to controlling their food sources.

WHAT IS THE LIFE CYCLE OF A FRUIT FLY?

The life cycle of a fruit fly consists of four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Female fruit flies lay eggs on decaying or fermenting organic material, such as overripe fruits and vegetables. These eggs hatch into larvae, or maggots, which feed on the surrounding decaying matter. After a few days, larvae pupate in a cocoon-like shell, transforming into adults. The adult fruit flies emerge from the pupal stage within about a week, ready to begin the cycle again.

WHAT ATTRACTS FRUIT FLIES?

Fruit flies are primarily attracted to fermenting and decaying organic material. They are also drawn to overripe and rotting fruits and vegetables, sugary substances, and spilled beverages – extending to garbage cans, compost bins, and other areas with organic waste. The scent of fermenting food and moisture also lures them, making proper sanitation and waste management crucial for preventing infestations.