What is the purpose of flies? To us humans, it seems that they are simply here to annoy us! Flies get everywhere and come in a massive variety of sizes and species. Bees we tolerate as we know they are important to our ecosystem. But flies? We want to get rid of them! Especially those nasty little fruit flies that seem intent on occupying our homes!
Why do fruit flies come into the house, and why are they often found in the bathroom, of all places? What is the attraction, and what can we do to get rid of them? That’s what we’ll be looking at in this brief guide to getting rid of fruit flies in the bathroom and throughout the home. Let’s start by talking about where they come from and why your home is attractive to them.
Where Do Fruit Flies Come From?
For exterminator professionals such as Majestic Pest Control, being called out to deal with fruit flies is regular. But do you need professionals? We will be looking at some DIY solutions and talking about when to bring in the experts, but first, we need to answer this: where do fruit flies come from?
These creatures have been around for hundreds of thousands of years and are established as different species worldwide. The fruit fly that we know is a small flying insect attracted to rotting and fermented fruit. They also enjoy vegetables in the same state and exist solely on high-fructose substances – that’s sugar to you and me.
So, that apple tree in your yard from which the fruit falls and you leave to rot? The pile of cabbages you’ve left out as you don’t need them? They’ll rot down to a point where the fruit flies will be happily feasting on them. Any fruit, vegetable, or plant that ferments into fructose elements will attract the fruit fly, and he can sense it a long way off! The fruit is going to love that!
Here’s the problem: the female lays her eggs inside the fermenting plant so that the larvae have immediate access to food. But she can lay as many as 500 eggs in one go! These eggs hatch and feast on the glorious fructose for a few days, then they are adults – at which point they pretty much start mating straight away. That should give you a good idea of why there are suddenly a lot of fruit flies in your home. But why do they come in when the food is outside?
Why Are They in My House?
Fruit flies are among the most common household pests in the USA and across the world, and they are often found in the house – especially in the bathroom! Now, this may be odd as it’s not somewhere that you keep food. However, they are attracted to warm and moist environments where they can be comfortable while waiting for their next meal. There may also be debris in your drains that is fermenting and attracting the flies. Aren’t they harmless, though? Or are they, in fact, dangerous?
Are Fruit Flies Dangerous?
Fruit flies – the creatures themselves – pose no danger in that they are not evil and not aggressive. However, as with all such pests, the problem is this: you don’t know where they’ve been! Flies are not concerned about where they land and what in, which is a horrible thought! They could and often do carry germs and bacteria that you do not want in your home. This is why you need to take action immediately. You see fruit flies around the house as very shortly there will be many more. How to get rid of them? Here are some DIY tips that can be handy.
What are the DIY Solutions to Fruit Flies?
If you catch your potential fruit fly infestation early, you might be lucky and wipe them out. Here are a few actions you should undertake when you see the flies in your bathroom or house:
- Clean all your surfaces and thoroughly disinfect and keep drains clear of debris. This should be done regularly as a preventative measure and also don’t forget to repaint your walls.
- Never leave fallen or uneaten fruit, vegetables, or any food to rot either indoors or outdoors. If you have fruit trees and shrubs, do your best to harvest the produce and offer it to friends who may enjoy a nice juicy apple!
- Make a trap with apple cider vinegar. Put some in a dish and cover with plastic wrap secured by an elastic band. Put small holes in the plastic and wait for the vinegar to attract fruit flies. They’ll happily go in and then cannot get out. This method can also be used with vinegar mixed with soap – the latter reduces the surface tension, so the insects are trapped, and a container of beer or wine. These little flies do enjoy a drink, but again they will get stuck.
There are also commercial products in the form of fly sprays that can be bought off the shelf, but we are not great fans of these as they use quite nasty chemicals. If you have a definite infestation of fruit flies – or any common household pests – the only certain way to eradicate them is to call in the professionals, so let’s finish with a little bit about what a pest control company will do.
Should I Call the Professionals?
The simple fact is that professional extermination of fruit flies and other pests is the best way to rid your house of creatures you don’t want to share. The professionals will use dedicated techniques aimed at the fruit flies specifically and will be able to get rid of those in the house. They will also advise as to the best way to fly-proof your home! If you have a pest problem, get in touch with a local pest control company now to avoid them reaching the countertops.
