Fruit flies where do they come from? Fruit flies often appear in homes, seemingly out of nowhere. They’re generally attracted to ripe, fermenting, or rotting fruit and vegetables. However, there’s a common but incorrect belief that fruit flies magically appear from the fruit itself. It’s like one moment there are no fruit flies, and the next, they are everywhere. This idea is widespread, but it’s not true.
You need to understand their source to be able to get rid of fruit flies for good. The real deal is figuring out what fruit flies really are, where they actually come from, and why they end up in your house. Don’t worry, we’re here to guide you through it. We’ve gathered all the information about fruit flies, so you can learn how to keep them out of your home.
What Are Fruit Flies?
Fruit flies, also known as vinegar or wine flies, are tiny flies from the Drosophila genus in the Drosophilidae family. They are usually small, about 1/10 to â…› inches in length, and come in colors like brown, tan, or yellow, often with distinctive bright red eyes.
There are more than 1500 species of these small flies, but when most people say “fruit fly,” they’re usually referring to the Drosophila melanogaster, or the “common fruit fly.” This specific kind is usually yellow, brown, or tan with red eyes and has clear, bright wings.
Adult fruit flies have long antennae, which can look a bit hairy. The larvae, or baby fruit flies, resemble maggots – they’re cream-colored, thin, and about 1/10 inch long. These adult flies lay their eggs in fermenting liquids, especially in rotting fruits or vegetables. They tend to reproduce quickly and often, especially indoors, which is why a small fruit fly problem can become a big issue fast.
Why Are Fruit Flies in My House?
Fruit fly larvae feed on yeast that grows on rotting or fermenting things. Despite their name, they are not picky about just eating fruit; they will infest any decaying material. They are drawn to moisture and rotting stuff, which could include sponges, mops, or even small puddles of water. That’s where the adult flies lay their eggs.
Kitchen sink drains are a common place for fruit flies to multiply. Basically, if there is rotting material in your home, fruit flies will likely find it and thrive there. They are especially attracted to places like garbage, compost bins, drains, and any area with rotting food. Leaving fruit out until it ripens is a sure way to attract them.
Fruit flies also like places like garbage cans, pantries, basements, attics, and areas where there might be a plumbing leak, as these spots often provide the moisture and decaying material they need.
Fruit Flies Where Do They Come From?
Fruit flies might show up in your house in the following ways:
Hitchhiking on Your Groceries
Sometimes, fruit flies are already on your food when you buy it. They’re sneaky like that because their eggs are super tiny, and adult flies often lay them right on fruits and vegetables. So, you might unknowingly bring them home with your groceries.
Following the Scent
Even if your food didn’t have fruit flies to start with, these little guys can sniff out the smallest hint of fermenting food from far away. They have a really good sense of smell for this. If you leave any fruit out, fruit flies can catch a whiff and come looking for it.
Tiny Invaders
Fruit flies are so small that they can slip through the smallest cracks in walls or doors. Once they find their way inside, they waste no time in starting to reproduce and lay eggs.
Where Do Fruit Flies Come from When There is No Fruit?
Fruit flies can appear even without fruit because they’re attracted to fermenting materials like old vegetables, damp mops, and trash cans. They can also come in from outside or hitch a ride on produce from the store.
How Do I Get Rid of Fruit Flies?
A good way to deal with fruit flies is to make a homemade trap. Here’s a simple way to do it with just a jar and some vinegar:
Make the Trap
Pour a bit of vinegar into a jar.
Create a Funnel
Cover the jar with a plastic bag and make a small hole in it. Push the baggie into the jar, so it forms a funnel shape.
Secure the Trap
Use a rubber band to hold the baggie in place on the jar. This setup will lure the fruit flies in but make it hard for them to get out.
The vinegar in your homemade trap will lure the flies in, making it easier to get rid of them.
How to Keep Fruit Flies Out
You can stop fruit flies and other pests from invading with these simple methods:
Regularly Clean Your Garbage Area
Make sure to empty your garbage regularly and give the bin and any recycling boxes a good rinse.
No Leftover Food Residue
After meals or food preparation, clean any surfaces thoroughly to ensure there’s no food residue left.
Maintain Clean Pantry and Cabinets
Give your pantry and cabinets a thorough cleaning regularly.
Replace or Rinse Dishwashing Tools
Sponges and other dishwashing tools should be rinsed out or replaced frequently to avoid attracting flies.
Watch for Plumbing Leaks
Keep an eye out for any plumbing leaks and fix them as soon as possible.
Controlling moisture and avoiding the build-up of fermenting materials is key. Fruit flies are persistent pests and can thrive on very little. To effectively get rid of them, you need to give them nothing to feed on or breed in.
Contact Your Local Pest Control
So, fruit flies, where do they come from? Usually, these tiny insects can also be brought into your home on fresh produce as they are attracted to ripe, fermenting, or rotting fruit and vegetables.
Sometimes, your solution for fruit flies is to contact pest control professionals in your local area to help you keep fruit flies at bay. So, if you find yourself facing a tough pest problem, consider pest control, typically just a call away. Whether it’s a small nuisance or a serious infestation, they will help you eliminate the flies permanently.
Read also:Â How to get rid of fruit flies with lemon
