Fruit flies are a common and pesky nuisance in homes and businesses. To get rid of them fast and effectively, it is best to hire a professional exterminator.
What Are Fruit Flies?
Fruit flies are small, flying insects in the Diptera family. They feed on the juices of fruits and vegetables, which is why they are often found in kitchens and pantries. Fruit flies can lay hundreds of eggs at once and can reproduce quickly in warm, humid conditions. They are usually considered a nuisance to humans in residential areas.
The Lifecycle of a Fruit Fly?
Fruit flies go through four stages in their life cycle: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Each stage lasts a few days.
Eggs: Female fruit flies lay their eggs in ripened fruit or vegetables. They can lay from 200 to 400 eggs in a single batch. Larva: After several days, the eggs hatch into larva. The larva feed on the fruit or vegetable for three to four days and then fall to the ground to complete the pupa stage.
Pupa: The pupa stage can last anywhere from four days to two weeks. During this stage, the larvae enter a state of dormancy before emerging as adults. Adult: The adult fruit fly is small, typically 1/7th to 1/8th inch in length. They have red eyes, light tan bodies, and dark wings. They live for about a month, during which time they can lay hundreds of eggs.
Where Are You Likely To Find Fruit Flies?
Fruit flies prefer areas near sources of food and dampness. They often gather around ripened fruits and vegetables, beer and other fermented beverages, rotting food, garbage cans, unpackaged food, and damp mops and towels. They are also known to gather around drains and sinks, and can be found in moist places such as basements and bathrooms.
How To Prevent Fruit Flies?
1. Keep fruits and vegetables in sealed, airtight containers.
2. Regularly clean areas where food has been prepared, stored, and consumed.
3. Reduce the moisture in your kitchen by running an exhaust fan or using a dehumidifier.
4. Discard overripe produce or produce that is beginning to rot.
5. Dispose of food scraps and garbage immediately and regularly.
6. Clean garbage cans and keep garbage bag liners tightly sealed.g
7. Clean dishes and disposables, such as soda bottles, right away.
8. Monitor your drains and consider using chemical traps to kill fruit flies.
When To Call a Fruit Fly Exterminator
If you have an infestation. You'll know if fruit flies need professional attention if you notice them all around your home, near produce, and hovering around drains and sinks. Other signs you have a fruit fly infestation are small clusters of small flying insects near windows and walls, fruit flies hovering around open food containers, and a sweet, rotting odor coming from fruit or other produce.
Choosing The Right Fruit Fly Exterminator
At Fortified Pest Management, we offer comprehensive treatments for your fruit fly infestation. Our technicians will assess the areas of activity and identify the source of the problem. From there, we will recommend the best approach to eliminate the infestation. Our services include trapping, pesticide applications, and ongoing preventive measures. With our treatments, you can be sure that your home is free from fruit flies and other unwelcome pests.
