Fruit flies are tiny flies that seemingly appear out of nowhere, often in kitchen areas, and swarm fresh fruits and other sugary foods. It’s safe to say these small flies can disturb a backyard BBQ or dinner at home in no time at all.
You can count on fruit flies to be buzzing year-round. These pests are more active in warm temperatures, ranging from 75-80-degrees Fahrenheit; the relatively mild weather of northwestern Washington is perfect for these flies to flourish. However, fruit flies can comfortably survive indoors even when the temperature dips.
To fully protect your home or business from fruit flies and other pests, you’ll need the help of Yakima County pest control services. Read on to find answers to your questions about what fruit flies look like and how to tell if you have a fly infestation. We also offer three tips on how to prevent fruit flies and point you in the direction of the best fly control in Yakima County.
Is This A Fruit Fly?
Fruit flies are teeny flies with oval-shaped bodies that measure just one-eighth of an inch. Although they appear black when flying about, only their abdomen is black. This fly also has a gray underbelly, a tan thorax, and bright red eyes.
Fruit flies and fungus gnats are often confused, but there are a few telltale differences. Fruit flies have bodies similar to a small house fly, while fungus gnats’ bodies have dangling legs and resemble a tiny mosquito.
Fruit flies prefer to feed on ripe fruit and vegetables, while fungus gnats, also known as drain flies, feed on organic, decaying matter.
In addition to these differences, fruit flies and gnats have different lifespans. Though both have an average lifespan of 30 days, fruit flies can survive up to three times as long if conditions are right.
How To Tell If You Are Dealing With A Fly Infestation
If you’re dealing with an infestation of fruit flies, there are a few telltale signs you’ll notice. The most telling sign is the presence of adult fruit flies buzzing around your home. You’ll likely see these flies swarming ripe fruits and vegetables or hovering around garbage cans.
In your home, you’ll also spot fruit fly pupa. Fruit fly pupa feed on the slime found in and around dirty drains. Their bodies are long and narrow and resemble cockroach droppings.
Fruit Fly Prevention Tips
If fruit flies are disrupting your peace, you’ll want to put to use a few prevention tips. Here are three of the most important:
- Contact A Local Pest Control: Prosite offers services for residential clients and businesses both large and small. Fruit flies are common area pests that this pest controller tackles regularly.
- Properly Store Fresh Food: Leaving out food, especially overnight, is a guaranteed way to attract pests. Fruit flies find their way to homes when they smell food, as do house flies, ants, and other pests.
- Take Care Storing And Discarding Trash: It’s no secret that garbage attracts fruit flies and other pests. Be sure to keep garbage in a lidded container and store it outside of the home if possible.
The Best Fly Control In Yakima County
If you’re looking to get rid of fruit flies sooner rather than later, you’ll need a hand from our certified technicians at Prosite. Prosite is a local, family-owned, and operated business, and we offer personalized services to meet the needs of each household and business.
We’ll schedule a visit to your home or business with one of our skilled technicians to tackle fruit flies. During this visit, we’ll conduct an assessment, determine the extent of the infestation, and devise a plan of action that works to keep your home pest free. Call us at Prosite today!