How can something so small cause so much pain? Although they are only a fraction of an inch long, they are nearly impossible to avoid once they invade your kitchen.
I talked to him. jody greenEntomologists at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln said that when fruit fly infestations occur, the flies typically latch onto overripe fruit brought home from the grocery store or damaged fruit that is more ripe and susceptible to rot. Quickly.
Once the flies enter your home, they'll lay eggs everywhere, including rotting fruit and fermented substances, she says. And as it gets warmer, their life cycle becomes faster. That's how infection occurs.
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Thankfully, there are ways to get fruit flies out of your kitchen and out of your home. Some steps can prevent intrusions, while others can help eliminate them. So keep your area free of fruit flies by taking a look below.
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What do fruit flies look like?
Fruit flies are about one-eighth of an inch long, have red eyes (some species have black eyes), and a light brown body with a dark ring around their abdomen. She also has two wings (many insects have four).
What kind of food and environment are fruit flies attracted to?
The common name entomologists give fruit flies is “vinegar fly.” This is because they are naturally attracted to the fermentation liquid, so when the fruit rots, the fruit also ferments.
But fruit flies don't just breed on rotten fruit and vinegar. They also love sweet substances such as soda, wine, and beer, which can be found at the bottom of garbage cans and other moist areas where food sources are plentiful.
The term “bulk food source” may mean something different to you than it does to the tiny but mighty fruit fly, Green says. “It may not be the food you want to eat, but fruit flies are so small that they only need a tiny bit of habitat.” – Leftover soda in cans in the recycling bin or takeaways at home It looks like crumbs or crumbs left in the container. It's trash, Green explained. These are the perfect places for fruit flies to breed. As the weather warms, it takes less time for fruit fly eggs to turn into babies.
How can I prevent fruit fly infestation?
Cleaning is the key to keeping flies from taking over your kitchen. Keeping the area as dry and food-free as possible will prevent pests from continuing their life cycle.
Throw away your trash and recycle often. Clean the bottom of the trash can after liquid builds up, wipe down the counters after cooking, keep old food and utensils out of the sink or garbage disposal, and keep them as dry as possible.
Storing fruits and vegetables in the refrigerator instead of on the counter will make it harder for fruit flies to find them. They're also attracted to rotten fruit, so stores need to choose produce carefully to avoid bringing back rotten or damaged items, Green said. She also added that cardboard boxes containing produce should be recycled or composted as soon as possible, as they can breed fruit flies. Any wet or humid areas, such as wet kitchen rags or the rug next to the sink, can be breeding grounds for fruit flies.
These Drosophila Hacks please do not work
If you have a fruit fly problem, you've probably looked for some crazy “miracle” tips to eradicate fruit flies. When I asked Greene about tips and tricks she'd seen online, she debunked many of them. Pour boiling water down the drain? That won't work. This includes pouring borax or diatomaceous earth powder down the drain, keeping the environment extremely cool, and washing fruit as soon as you get home. This is because exposing fruit to water can cause it to ripen faster.
These fruit fly hacks actually work do work
Keeping your kitchen clean and dry, emptying the trash frequently, and carefully selecting and storing produce in the refrigerator are the best ways to prevent fruit fly breeding.
When dealing with parasites, put a few drops of vinegar and dish soap in a bowl, cover with plastic wrap and poke holes in it. (Green likes to use dollar store salt and pepper shakers because the holes are the perfect size for flies and you get a nice, decorative shaker. Much more attractive than the bowl ) adults. Sticky paper will also help catch them.
