Can Pest Control Get Rid Of Fruit Flies? (Triangle Exterminators)
January 21, 2020
Seeing small flies in the kitchen could be a nuisance. It is common in homes, supermarkets, wherever food is allowed to rot or ferment. Tomatoes, squash, grapes, and other items brought can be attractants to fruit flies. In this article, you will learn how you can eliminate and prevent the infestation of fruit flies around you. But first, let’s learn the basics.
Adult flies are more or less an eighth-inch long with red eyes. The front of their body is tan and their rear is black. Fruit flies are known to lay their eggs near surfaces of fermenting food and other organic materials. When they emerge, the tiny larvae start to feed on the surface of the fermenting mass.
If you are wondering what causes the over-ripened characteristic of fruits and vegetables, this is the work of tiny fruit flies. These need to be discarded out of the fear that new larvae will develop from here. Knowing that fruit flies have enormous reproductive potential, you need to be more cautious in buying fruits and vegetables. A fruit fly can lay more than 500 eggs in one seating. Their life cycle starts as an egg and develops into an adult in just a week.
If you are wondering why there are so many fruit flies flying around, it is because of their quick development. However, this is accompanied by a short life span. A fruit fly typically dies two days after turning into an adult. So, they might as well savor every moment they get infesting as much as they can.
Aside from being attracted to fruits and veggies, these pests are also attracted to garbage bags, empty cans, trash containers, rags, and floor mops. An infestation could start from a simple attraction. If you think their infestation should not bother you, you’re wrong. Fruit flies have a great potential for contaminating food and spreading disease-causing organisms.
Gnat vs. Fruit Fly
Gnats are gray or black in color while flies are light tan to reddish-brown. Gnats live off of soils and plants. You will not see them on your fruit bowl. You will only see fruit flies around rotting materials and organic materials such as fruits, vegetables, and many more.
Eradication & Control
There are instances when cleaning cannot even cut the infestation of fruit flies. So, what is the best thing to do? First off, you can create your own fly trap using these latest methods of pest control.
Apple Cider Vinegar
To execute this, you only need to fill a bowl with apple cider, cover it with a plastic wrap and rubber band to seal the edges. Next, poke tiny holes at the top and place it near areas infested by fruit flies. Once they are inside the container, they won’t be able to make past the plastic cover, leaving them inside to drown.
Another approach to use us to use a paper funnel trap. All you need to do is place a paper funnel to a jar of apple cider vinegar. This will help catch adult flies so they can easily be killed or released outdoors.
Experts also recommend mixing apple cider vinegar and dish soap. The process is almost the same as the two mentioned above. The only difference is, the dish soap makes it more effective to trap flies because it acts as a glue to the vinegar, drowning the flies. They will not be able to escape once they have entered the trap.
According to experts, you can also use rotting fruits and vegetables. Put it in a bowl and cover the bowl with plastic. Poke tiny holes on the plastic and let the rotting fruits attract the pests inside.
If you do not have any Apple Cider, you can use an old beer. Simply leave a bottle of old beer or wine where fruit flies are present. Eventually, those pesky creatures will be lured inside. The bottleneck acts as a natural barrier so they will stay inside and keep them trapped.
For this strategy, you will need a candle. As dusk comes, place a lit candle in a bowl with water. Put it in a fly-infested area. Turn off the lights and make sure that the only thing that can be seen is the candle. Eventually, the flies will be attracted to the fire and get their wings burnt.
In another light, the fruit flies will be attracted to the reflection of the fire and drown in the water. This works better if you lace the water with dish soap so they will not be able to escape. This fruit fly trap only requires a candle. When it gets dark, place a candle on
Sticky Fly Trap
This is one of the most common ways to trap flies. You can purchase this anywhere. All you need to do is place some of the traps near fly-infested areas and wait for it to fill with flies. The best part is, you can use it to trap roaches and small mice. There, you have a three-in-one trap for those pesky pests of yours.
Fruit Fly Spray
Many people think that flies have noses they use to smell rotting fruits and veggies. However, they use their antennae to detect an odor. Another method of repelling or eradicating fruit flies is by spraying them. You can create your own fly spray using essential oils. You can mix two cups of water with drops of these essential oils: rosemary, lemongrass, and peppermint. Put it in a spray bottle and spray it along areas where fruit flies are common.
Fruit Fly Prevention
Elimination always needs to come with prevention. It does not matter how much you eliminate them if you do not prevent their infestation in the first place. Now, to prevent any more flies to lay eggs around you, here are some of the most practical methods you need to do.
One of the best ways to avoid fruit fly problems is to eliminate their sources of attraction. Ripened produce should be eaten, discarded, and refrigerated. If you have cracked or damaged fruits and vegetables, discard the portions with damage. It could be another egg-infested area from the fruit flies. You need to remember that even a single rotting potato or onion forgotten out in the open could breed a thousand fruit flies. So, you need to employ effective housekeeping skills to keep the population of fruit flies at bay.
If you make wine out of fruits and vegetables, make sure to place your produce in tightly-sealed containers. Otherwise, you will be attracting more than just fruit flies.
Wash Your Dirty Dishes
Make it a habit to clean the dirty dishes every time you finish eating. Do not let it stay on the sink for hours because it will attract more than just fruit flies. It will also attract roaches, ants, and mice. After washing the dishes, make sure to clean the sink and throw the contents of the drain. These are all organic materials that attract flies and other pests.
Seal Your Trash
To prevent pests, it is apparent you store your leftovers inside a tightly-sealed can. This will make sure the flies will not be attracted to it.
Avoid Damp Areas
Aside from dwelling among rotting fruits and other organic materials, fruit flies also live in damp and moist areas. Consider fixing the leaks on the kitchen and bathroom faucets. Also, check the drains to reduce the dampness. You can use a dehumidifier to reduce the moisture in your home or establishment.
Can Pest Control Get Rid Of Fruit Flies?
There are many ways you can get rid of fruit flies. However, in extreme situations, you’re going to need help from a professional. Yes, they can help you with your fruit fly infestation. If you are in North Carolina looking at Triangle exterminators, you need to choose a pest control company that can give you the best Experts to evaluate a pest control service through the following criteria:
1. Knowledge. The exterminators must be filled with information about their line of work. They need to know exactly what they are dealing with to match the necessary methods. They must also explain to the customers the pros and cons of the treatments without any hint of deception or dishonesty.
2. Skill. An exterminator must be very well trained in using the methodologies for pest control. If not, it may do more damage to our home. Remember, there are chemicals that destroy wood, plants, and furniture. Without proper use, it might take a toll on our house maintenance.
3. Methods. The treatments used are safe for the environment and for the people, plants, and animals surrounding it.
4. Price. No overpricing. No asking for an additional charge for all necessary pest control treatments.
Thankfully, we have just the right pest control company for you. Go-Forth Pest Control offers the best pest control service in North Carolina. Not only do they pride themselves for being highly-trained individuals, they also pride themselves in using safe methods of pest control. If there is one company to meet the criteria above, Go-Forth Pest Control aces each, guaranteeing a premium-quality service at an affordable price.