What Causes Fruit Flies in the House and How to Get Rid of Them?

At Titan Pest & Wildlife, we’ll help you understand what fruit flies are, what causes them, and how to get rid of them.

Fruit flies are one of a home’s most persistent and annoying pests. Without the proper treatment, they’ll keep coming back. So, what causes fruit flies, and how can you get rid of them?

If you’re dealing with a pest infestation, don’t wait for it to go away on its own. At Titan Pest & Wildlife, our licensed and certified exterminators are committed to providing our customers with complete pest control solutions.

What Causes Fruit Flies in Your House?

Fruit flies are small flies that feed on fruit in both its adult and larval stages. Therefore, they typically infest a home that has ripe, rotting, or overripe fruit and vegetables sitting out. They also like beer, liquor, and wine. Leaving any of these things sitting out attracts them. One female can lay about 500 eggs, and they’ll hatch in as little as 24-30 hours. They’ll breed in garbage disposals, drains, recycle bins, and trash cans. Once they begin reproducing, they become difficult to control.

What Do Fruit Flies Look Like?

Fruit flies are small, which makes them hard to identify. Most small flies look similar, but the easiest way to identify fruit flies is to look for bright red eyes and a tan or brown body. The common house fly is typically black and a little larger.

How Can You Get Rid of Fruit Flies?

Now that you know what causes fruit flies, you can work to prevent them. But once you have them in your home, getting rid of them isn’t always so easy. Here are some tips you can try to get rid of them. However, if these steps don’t work, you’ll benefit from contacting a professional pest control company.

  1. Clean all kitchen surfaces – Thoroughly wipe down all countertops. Keep your sink and drain free of sitting food and residue.
  2. Don’t let fruit or vegetables get old – If you set your bananas, apples, or other fruit and vegetables on the counter, throw them out once they get too ripe or start to rot.
  3. Use apple cider vinegar – Fill a bowl with apple cider vinegar, cover it with plastic wrap, seal the edges with a rubber band, and poke small holes in the top. It will attract the fruit flies, and once they get inside, they won’t be able to escape.

These tips may work and are definitely worth a try. However, fruit flies may continue to infest your home regardless of how much you clean, and you can’t be on the defense all the time. For pest control that prevents and maintains a pest-free environment for your home, contact Titan Pest & Wildlife Solutions.

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