Size:
Fruit flies are small at about 1/8-inch long.

Behavior:
Fruit flies are especially common during late summer/fall due their attraction to ripened or fermenting fruits and vegetables, but can be a year-round problem. They often lay their eggs near the surface of fermenting foods or other moist organic materials, where they continue to feed upon emerging. Their reproductive potential enormous; they can lay up to 500 eggs. Their entire life cycle develops very fast, and can usually be completed within 7-8 days.

Habitat:
Fresh produce and other perishables brought in from the garden or market often attracts fruit flies and causes indoor infestations. Fruit flies are common in homes, restaurants, supermarkets, or else food is served. However, Fruit flies will also breed in drains, garbage disposals, empty bottles and cans, trash containers, mops, and cleaning rags.

Essentially, all that is needed for Fruit fly development is a moist film or coat of rotting material. Infestations can originate from over-ripened fruits or vegetables that were previously infested and brought into the home. Adults can also fly in from outside from poorly screened windows and doors. Although primarily a nuisance pest, they have the potential to contaminate food with bacteria and other disease-producing organisms.

Interesting Fact:
People that can their own fruits and vegetables or make wine, cider, or beer should make sure that the containers are sealed tight. Otherwise, Fruit flies will lay their eggs under the lid and the tiny larvae will enter the container upon hatching. They are also called “vinegar flies” since they often infest facilities producing vinegar.

Fruit fly larvae living in fruit that is then eaten can sometimes cause intestinal discomfort and diarrhea. In vinegar-producing facilities, the fruit fly is responsible for infecting tanks of vinegar with a tiny nematode called the vinegar worm.

Control:
The best way to avoid problems with fruit flies is to eliminate sources of attraction. Produce that has ripened should be eaten, discarded, or refrigerated. Cracked or damaged portions of fruits and vegetables should be cut away and discarded since eggs or larvae may be present in these areas. A single potato rotting in a pantry or a fruit juice spill under a refrigerator can breed thousands of Fruit flies.

It is also helpful to dispose of trash and store it in a covered container. If you keep a compost pile in your yard make sure to bury food additions at the bottom. Once a structure is infested with Fruit flies, all potential breeding areas must be located and eliminated. Unless these sites are removed and cleaned, the problem will continue to get worse.

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