The common fruit fly is a species of fly known as Drosophila melanogaster. To distinguish a fruit fly from other common house flies, take a look at their eyes and body. If their eyes are red and they have a tan thorax, you’ve spotted a fruit fly.
Fruit flies’ main food source is ripening or rotting fruit (hence their name), which is where they lay their eggs, but pretty much any decaying organic matter will attract fruit flies. In fact, what attracts flies to your house are these decaying materials like food scraps, trash, and drains.
Fruit flies can become bothersome to homeowners and detrimental to businesses, especially in the food industry. They can be found in homes, restaurants, grocery stores, gardens and anywhere else food is decaying or fermenting. Fruit flies make their way to places such as drains, trash containers, garbage disposals, empty beer and soda cans and wet mops. Trying to get rid of fruit flies on your own can be difficult, so a fruit fly control and prevention program is recommended.
Do not try getting rid of fruit flies on your own, as they are very difficult to remove. If you're wondering how to get rid of fruit flies, it’s best to call in the professionals who have the right tools and expertise. If you suspect fruit flies in your home or business, contact Ehrlich at 800-837-5520 or click on the button below to schedule an inspection
Fruit flies get their name because of their fondness for the moist surfaces of fruits. They prefer fruit that is fermenting, which occurs the moment you put fruit on a kitchen counter. Fruit flies also like vegetables that are ripening in an open area. Finally, these pests will also gladly accept any leftover scraps of fruit or food that ends up in sink drains, caught in filters or in the garbage.
Fruit flies will lay eggs on the moist areas of fermenting fruit. They can lay up to 500 eggs at a time, which means a fruit fly infestation can happen very fast. The newborn fruit flies feed on the surface of this organic matter, as do the adults.
As for how fruit flies get into your home, they often can sneak in on groceries, especially fresh fruits and vegetables. They can also hitch a ride on produce picked from your garden. Because fruit fly eggs and larvae are so tiny, they’re easy to miss. Once inside, they can quickly develop into adults, lay more eggs, and turn into a larger problem in just a matter of days.
Ehrlich technicians incorporate the methods listed below with our ERDM approach to ensure your property has long-term protection from fruit flies. ERDM stands for:
Our fruit fly pest control service involves assessing your property, sealing possible entry points, identifying attractants, and using targeted treatments supported by regular monitoring. Our goal is to create a less attractive environment for pests while protecting your property and reputation.
Ehrlich understands the feeding and nesting habits of fruit flies, so we’ve adapted eradication methods to efficiently get rid of fruit flies and remove fruit fly infestations via a comprehensive fruit fly removal program, which includes:
Every situation is different. Our technicians will evaluate your property and design a treatment plan based on the infestation size, layout, and risk areas. Plans may combine several treatment types for the best results.
Many flies are attracted to certain wavelengths of UV light. This makes insect light traps very effective in attracting and capturing flies once they enter a building.
Sealing entry points such as windows, vents, and cracks can help reduce fly access. Our services include checking these areas and applying exclusion measures where needed.
Targeted liquid residual insecticides may be used in and around breeding zones. Fruit fly insecticides work to eliminate adult flies and larvae. Various liquid pesticides are ideal for only adult flies.
Fruit flies can be drawn to specific bait stations placed in key areas. These baits use sugars and fly pheromones to lure flies into the trap.
Fruit flies often breed in overlooked areas like mop buckets, trash liners, or recycling bins. Cleaning and removing these sources is critical for lasting control.
One of the most common hiding places for fruit flies is inside drains and moist areas. Our technicians can apply treatments directly where buildup occurs and provide tips on how to get rid of fruit flies in drain areas effectively.
To prevent reinfestation, we install monitoring tools and perform regular inspections. This helps detect early signs of activity so we can act before the problem grows.
Fruit flies are often seen near fermenting foods, drains, or trash bins. You may notice:
While fruit flies are among the most common types of flies, other fly species can also appear in similar conditions and require different treatment strategies. If you're unsure, a technician can help identify the pest and recommend the best course of action.
Fruit flies lay their eggs in moist, organic material, which can make certain areas especially attractive to them. Common breeding sites include kitchen sink drains, floor drains, overripe or decaying fruit, spilled beverages or sugary residues, and damp items like mop heads, cleaning rags, or recycling bins.
These areas provide the moisture and food source fruit flies need to reproduce, often going unnoticed until the infestation has grown. Regular cleaning and proper waste management are key to reducing these breeding zones.
Uncovered trash, dirty drains, and open containers can create ideal conditions for fruit flies in your home or business. Even small spills or forgotten scraps can become hotspots for activity.
There are many tips home and businesses owners can use to prevent a fruit fly infestation from occurring. More specifically, here are some fruit fly prevention steps we recommend following to ward off fruit flies:
Getting rid of fruit flies in restaurants reduces food contamination and protects the reputation of your business. With restaurant reviews becoming public on social media, nothing will put a dent in your sales like a customer writing a review about a fruit fly infestation. We understand how valuable a restaurant’s reputation is so that is why we use industry standard solutions to protect your business.
Lumnia is our electronic fly killer for our food retailer companies. It’s suitable for a variety of internal work environments and business needs. For restaurants, this is a powerful and hygienic fly killer that can be placed in public areas due to its subdued design. Using one of these electronic fly killers is an effective way to control fruit flies in restaurants.
Learn more about our commercial pest control services for Restaurants and hospitality businesses.
Find out moreThe average fruit fly life cycle begins when the adult fruit fly female lays around 500 eggs near the surface of rotting fruit or vegetables (or poorly attached containers with food inside them). Their eggs hatch in about 30 hours, developing in a vinegar-like liquid, near food sources and eating mostly yeast from rotting produce for 5-6 days.
Before pupation, the larvae crawl to drier areas of the food or elsewhere. Newly adult flies mate in about 2 days and their life cycle is finished in 8-10 days. Flies reproduce quickly so it is important to control a fly infestation as soon as possible.
The best way to spot a fruit fly infestation is seeing the insects themselves. If you see an adult fruit fly, that typically means its larvae are close by. Fruit flies are most active during the spring and summer but can be active indoors year-round given the proper conditions. They are typically brought into homes through produce bought at groceries or food markets. We recommend cleaning food prior to consuming or cooking it to remove any trace.
Ehrlich Pest Control helps prevent and treat existing fruit fly infestations for your home or business. Our specialists will customize a treatment plan for your needs. For you can rely on, call Ehrlich at 800-837-5520 or or click below to contact us online.
No, fruit flies do not bite. They don’t have the mouthparts needed to pierce skin or feed on blood. Instead, they feed on sugary or fermenting substances, such as rotting fruit, juice spills, or food waste. While they may be a nuisance, they don’t bite humans or animals.
To help get rid of fruit flies in drain areas, start by cleaning the drain thoroughly to remove any organic material where flies might breed. Use a drain brush, enzymatic cleaners, or boiling water to flush out buildup. In commercial settings, a technician may recommend targeted drain treatments as part of a long-term control plan.
Fruit flies are not directly harmful in the way that some pests are, but they can pose a contamination risk. They can pick up bacteria from unsanitary surfaces and transfer them to food or preparation areas. This is especially concerning in commercial kitchens, restaurants, or food storage facilities.
Fruit flies are small insects, about one-eighth of an inch long, with red or dark-colored eyes and tan bodies. Their wings are clear, and they often hover near overripe fruit or organic waste. You may also notice them gathering around drains, trash bins, or compost areas.
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