How do you get rid of fruit flies and what causes them? – The Sun | The Sun

IT'S annoying to go pick up an apple only to find invaded by fruit flies.

Here is what you need to need to know about the creepy critters and how to get rid of them.

What causes fruit flies?

Fruit flies are attracted to fermenting fruit, and are particularly common in the summer months when fruit and veg are ripening.

These winged insects are hardwired to follow the smell of ripe produce and can detect them from great distances.

The fruit bowl in your home will be a veritable feast for a fruit fly, and you'll likely find a hungry one buzzing around somewhere nearby.

As fruit flies are extremely small, they're able to sneak through gaps in the window cause an infestation because they reproduce so rapidly.

How to get rid of fruit flies

But if your larder is becoming overwhelmed, there are some simple ways to get rid of them.

  • Make sure you throw out overripe produce
  • Wash produce as soon as you get home to remove potential eggs or larvae
  • Clean up spills as soon as possible, especially fruit juice or alcohol.
  • Store fruits and vegetables in the fridge
  • Ensure you take the rubbish out regularly

You can also follow the below guide on how to make an even better trap for fruit flies.

Make a vinegar trap

Pour about an inch of apple cider vinegar into a glass or cup.

You then pop a plastic bag over it and secure it in place with a rubber band.

After that, snip off one of the corners of the bag to create a small hole and place the trap near the infestation.

The fruit flies will be attracted to vinegar, but they won't be able to escape from the plastic.

 

MOST READ IN NEWS

DAD 'MURDERED'

Two women, both 26, charged after 'loving' dad, 25, found dead at house

get out of the water

Boy, 17, mauled in shark capital after dozens of attacks shut beaches

COOKED ALIVE

I’m a mortician & I was horrified by manhole death – there was a horror twist

BURN WARNING

My son suffered horrific burns after teapot spilled on him in cafe

Are fruit flies dangerous?

Mercifully, though these insects may be a bit annoying, their buzz is worse than their bite.

They live off fermenting fruit and do not feed on blood like mosquitos.

They don't even have the right equipment to bite humans, even if they wanted to.

The problem is their capacity to reproduce, as they can quickly multiply into the thousands.

What's the difference between fruit flies and gnats?

Fruit flies range from tan to black in colour, whilst fungus gnats are dark grey or black.

While fruit flies have a rounded body like a smaller version of the common house fly, while gnats have dangling legs and long bodies, like a mosquito.

 

    Source: Read Full Article