Fruit Flies in North Carolina
If you are starting to see small flies or gnats buzzing around your kitchen or anywhere else you store food, chances are you are dealing with a fruit fly problem. These pesky insects come in swarms and are hard to get rid of once they have invaded. In addition to being a huge nuisance, fruit flies can potentially contaminate food with the bacteria they carry, making you and your family sick.
To keep your home safe and free of fruit flies, there are several steps you can take to prevent them from becoming a problem as well as some signs to pay attention to if you think an infestation has occurred.
Identifying Fruit Flies
While fruit flies tend to look very similar to gnats, there are some identifying traits that set them apart. They are very tiny, measuring around 2.5 millimeters long. They have red or dark eyes and a tan thorax. Their abdomen is black on top and gray underneath, making them appear yellow-brown in color.
Signs of a Fruit Fly Infestation
Fruit flies usually make an appearance during the summer and fall months. They are attracted to ripened fruit and vegetables that are present in kitchens. Once they enter, they will begin to lay upwards of 500 eggs using drains, garbage disposals, trash cans, and other damp objects for breeding purposes.
In addition to their love of fruits and vegetables, fruit flies are also drawn to decaying meat and soda spills that may need to be cleaned up. You will begin to notice tiny flying insects that resemble gnats floating around the infected areas and all throughout your home. Fruit flies invade quickly and will start to spread in order to find any scrap of food they can find.
Fruit Fly Prevention and Treatment
In order to prevent these infestations from spreading or beginning in the first place, it is important to keep your home clean and free of decaying food. Clean up spills immediately after they happen and keep food off the counter and in an airtight container. Regularly wipe counters and mop the floors as well as check fruit and vegetables for any rotten spots.
If you start to notice signs of a fruit fly infestation, the best thing you can do is get rid of any overripe fruit or vegetable and deep clean your kitchen to get rid of any spills or sticky spots. You will also want to move any other fruits and vegetables to the fridge. If fruits and vegetables aren’t present in your kitchen, the problem may be stemming from your garbage or recycling, so make sure to clean those bins as well. As always, the best plan for total eradication is to contact your local Clegg’s specialists for fruit fly control in North Carolina.
Schedule Fruit Fly Control Services From Cleggs Today!
Our trained technicians are ready to help you get rid of your fruit fly infestation. Schedule your free initial inspection by calling Clegg’s Pest Control today!
