Fruit flies are a real annoyance and very hard to get rid of once they get into your home. Given their size and the fact that they breed so fast, it is hard to find where they are coming from. It can also be very tricky to get rid of them since the most effective way of getting rid of fruit flies is by removing their breeding grounds.
At Western Exterminator, we know how to get rid of fruit flies. We have been providing reliable fly control and fly removal solutions for homes and businesses for years. We know the best methods for determining where they are coming from and how to stop them from being a nuisance around your home and property.
If you feel that you have fruit flies, the first step is to contact the experts at Western Exterminator. We have two convenient methods for contact: you can fill in our online form or give us a call at 800-937-8398.
What are fruit flies? These tiny insects are often seen around rotting or fermented foods. The most common species is Drosophila melanogaster. They’re about one-eighth of an inch long and usually tan or brown, with red eyes. You might see them hovering near your fruit bowl, trash can, or sink.
Fruit flies are attracted to the smell of overripe fruit, food, and drink spills, and moisture. They reproduce quickly: a single female can lay hundreds of eggs that hatch into larvae within a day or two. That’s why a small fruit fly problem can grow fast if not dealt with early.
Fruit flies get their name because they prefer to breed beneath the skin of fruit that has started to rot. Their tiny size allows them to easily sneak into the home through screens and cracks and find their way to any fruit you have laying around, or even other foods. Although they are called fruit flies, they will find almost anything food-related attractive. This includes soda and spilled vinegar.
Fruit flies love to use drains for breeding purposes, too. If your drains have not been cleaned in a while, this could be why fruit flies are finding your home or building particularly attractive.
Adult female fruit flies can lay up to 500 eggs at a time. The eggs only take approximately 30 hours to hatch, so your infestation can quickly go from bad to worse.
If you see an abnormally large amount of tiny fruit flies lingering around your trash can, fruits and vegetables, or anywhere in your kitchen, then you may have a fruit fly infestation on your hands. Also, if you see fruit fly droppings in your kitchen area (which look similar to cockroach droppings) you may have a problem with fruit flies.
While fruit flies don’t sting or bite, they can still be a problem. Fruit flies can carry bacteria from dirty surfaces and spread them to food. This can lead to food contamination. They can also lay eggs on food that’s left out, making it unsafe to eat.
If you’ve eaten food that fruit flies have been near and you feel unwell, speak to a healthcare provider. While they’re not known to cause serious health risks, it’s always better to be cautious.
Fruit flies are most active during the spring and summer but can be active inside all year if they have the right environment to live in. Usually, they are brought into homes through fresh produce bought at food markets or grocery stores. The most effective way to get rid of fruit flies from your home is to make your space undesirable for fruit flies to live in. We recommend keeping food products off of countertops and regularly cleaning surfaces to prevent an infestation.
There are plenty of DIY methods to be found, but without proper breeding site elimination, the fruit fly infestation will remain. To control fruit flies, doing things like cleaning the kitchen counters, cleaning and sterilizing garbage cans and dumpsters, and getting professional drain cleaning can help to a certain extent. Above all else, the key to effective removal is to find their breeding ground and Western Exterminator technicians can help you find where the fruit flies are coming from. For years now we have trained our technicians to find fruit flies and determine the areas of infestation and where they are accessing your home. We can inspect your home and property and find the access points and breeding areas.
We use an integrated pest management approach that limits the number of chemical treatments that are necessary to do effective pest management. We will find the right treatment for your home, pets and family. We will then work with you to find the right method of preventing fruit flies from returning, thus limiting the need for further treatments.
Wondering how to prevent fruit flies in the first place? Start by keeping your kitchen clean and dry. Don’t leave fruits out for too long, especially bananas, peaches, and tomatoes. Wipe up spills right away, especially anything sugary or fermented, like juice or vinegar.
Cover trash cans tightly with a lid, and rinse your recyclables. Clean your sink and garbage disposal regularly. If you compost indoors, empty the container often and keep it sealed. These steps can help reduce the chances of an infestation.
To help prevent a fruit fly problems, it's important to remove any hidden areas where they might breed. Focus on deep-cleaning areas you don’t often reach—like under your fridge or stove—and inspect drains and trash bins for any buildup.
Rotting produce or forgotten food in the back of a cabinet or pantry can also attract flies. Clean these spaces thoroughly and check for anything that might be breaking down.
If you’ve already done this and still see flies, our fly pest control experts can help find the source and offer treatment options.
There are some scents that fruit flies don’t like. You can place fresh basil, mint, or lavender near windows and trash areas. While this may help repel them, it won’t solve a full infestation or address the source of the issue.
Using these methods along with regular cleaning may help reduce the number of flies in your home. But if you’re dealing with a lot of flies, it’s best to combine natural steps with support from professionals like Western Exterminator.
If you’ve tried cleaning, used a fruit fly trap, and still see flies hovering around your home, it may be time to bring in help. DIY methods can miss hidden breeding grounds. Our technicians can inspect your home, find the source, and help remove fruit flies with less need for chemicals.
We also offer commercial pest control solutions for businesses dealing with flies in food prep or service areas.
Call us right away if you think you have a fruit fly infestation. They breed fast, so don't waste a minute. Our pest control technicians know how to get rid of fruit flies most effectively so that you can get back to pest-free living. Call us at 800-937-8398 or contact us online to schedule an appointment today.
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