An insect expert reveals the simple secret to stopping fruit flies
Who knew something so small could become such a big problem? An entomologist. If you see one fruit fly in your home, it means that more will follow, if they are not already there. They are annoying and very difficult to remove. They are often attracted to things that people regularly have in their homes, such as bowls of produce, food in the pantry and lunch boxes.
With fruit flies, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. I asked Jodie Greenan entomologist 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 flies?
Beer, wine and soda are like a siren song for fruit flies.
Fruit flies normally latch on to overripe fruit you pick up from the grocery store, or to bruised fruit, which tends to ripen and rot more quickly.
Once the flies enter your home, she said, they will lay eggs anywhere they can — in rotten fruit or other fermented substances, especially onions and potatoes. And as it gets warmer, their life cycle gets faster. That’s how infections happen.
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Fortunately, there are ways to kick fruit flies out of your kitchen and repel them from your home. Some steps can help prevent an infestation, while others can help eliminate one. So feel free to take a look below and keep your place free of fruit flies.
What do fruit flies look like?
Once fruit flies descend on your kitchen, it is difficult to get rid of them.
Fruit flies are about an inch long, have red eyes (although some species have darker eyes) and are light brown with dark rings around their abdomen. They also have two wings (many insects have four).
What types of foods and environments attract fruit flies?
Ripe produce and sugary foods are magnets for fruit flies.
The common name entomologists give fruit flies is “vinegar flies.” That’s because they are naturally attracted to fermented liquid, and when fruit rots, it ferments too.
But fruit flies don’t just thrive on rotten fruit or vinegar. They also like sugary substances such as soda, wine and beer, and you can find them at the bottom of your garbage can or in a wet area with a significant food source.
“A 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 that they only require a small microhabitat” — like leftover soda in a can in your trash can or leftover bits and crumbs in a takeout container in your house. garbage, Green explained. These are excellent places for fruit flies to breed. Once the weather warms, it takes less time for fruit fly eggs to turn into babies.
How to Stop: Stop a fruit fly infestation before it starts
Take the waste out as often as possible during the warm summer months.
To prevent fruit flies from taking over your kitchen, it all comes down to cleaning. Keeping your place as dry and food-free as possible will prevent pests from continuing their life cycle.
Throw away trash and take out the recycling regularly. Clean the bottoms of containers if liquid builds up, wipe down countertops after you’re done cooking, and keep your sink and garbage disposal free of old food, empty of dishes and as dry as possible.
Keeping fruits and vegetables in the refrigerator instead of on the counter also makes it harder for fruit flies to find them. And because they are attracted to rotting fruit, choose your produce carefully at the store to make sure you don’t take home any rotten or bruised pieces, Green said.
It is especially important to store foods that ferment quickly. Fruit flies thrive on the rot produced by cabbage, strawberries, bananas and other fruits and vegetables, which can often break off before you notice their aging of edibles. Sugary substances should also be put away, cups should be covered or rinsed and garbage bags should be changed regularly to prevent infestation with fruit flies.
She also added that you should recycle or compost cardboard boxes of produce as soon as possible, as fruit flies can breed in them. Any place that collects water or is damp, such as a wet kitchen towel or the rug next to the sink, can become a breeding ground for fruit flies.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I get fruit flies without leaving out fruit?
Yes, you can get fruit flies even if you don’t leave fruits and vegetables out of the refrigerator. Although fruit flies are attracted to fermented fruits and vegetables, they also like sugary substances. The flies will swarm wine, beer, soda and other sugary liquids in the same way if you leave cups of them in the house.
How clean do I need to be to prevent a fruit fly infestation?
Fruit flies can feed on very small amounts of food or drink, for example the leftovers from a takeaway box or the soft drink left at the bottom of a can. Be sure to rinse all containers thoroughly before throwing them in the trash or trash, especially in the warmer months when fruit flies breed at a rapid rate.
