During the summer and fall months, small flies, commonly known as fruit flies, tend to make an appearance in homes. As found in their name, these flies are attracted to fruits and vegetables, especially ripened and fermented items. Fruit flies can quickly become a problem within a home due to their rapid reproductive cycle. When given the opportunity, fruit flies will lay around 500 eggs. The entire lifecycle of a fruit fly lasts around forty to fifty days, however, fruit flies will grow into full adults within the first week of hatching. This means that if there are problems with infestations in the home, it is important to act quickly.
Fruit flies are usually a short-term annoyance, however, if the infestation is prolonged, fruit flies can potentially contaminate food with bacteria and other disease-producing organisms that people should be aware of. The best way to prevent these bugs is to store food properly. Consider leaving ripe fruits and vegetables in a sealed container or in the refrigerator. This will limit the fruit flies’ ability to smell the food and prevent them from lingering in your home. Fruit flies can also be attracted to smells that come from old food or spills left throughout the kitchen, including your garbage can. Make sure to thoroughly clean your kitchen sink and countertops after each use and to take out the trash regularly. Most importantly, if you notice any fruits or vegetables rotting in your home, it is best to throw them away as quickly as possible. Rotten food is known to be fruit fly breeding grounds. When you discard rotten food right away, it prevents fruit flies from being able to produce and lay eggs.
If fruit fly infestations are a problem, a home remedy you can consider trying is traps. Using a small jar or container, pour a small amount of cider vinegar or place a small piece of banana inside. Cover your jar with a piece of plastic wrap and poke a few small holes on the top for the flies to enter. Eventually, the fruit flies will be attracted to the smell of the cider vinegar or banana and will fly into the jar. You can then release the fruit flies away from the home or throw the jar in the trash once all flies have been captured.
Natural repellents for fruit flies include lemongrass, lavender, and peppermint. If trapping the fruit flies yourself doesn’t improve the situation, consider using these essential oils. Place a few drops of the preferred essential oil on a cotton swab and leave the swab near the fruit fly’s occupied area. The smell of the essential oils will help deter the fruit flies from the home.
If a fruit fly infestation still occurs within the home, call your local Insight Pest Solutions for help and guidance.