Fruit flies are very bothersome pests to have but are very small. Measuring only 1/8 of an inch this fly can drive any homeowner crazy once infested. This fly is also known as the vinegar fly, pomace or red eyed fly. Found throughout the world and in almost any conceivable location this is a most important pest that needs to be controlled. Hospitals, wineries and food establishments are prime places this fly can breed and the complex building structure can be a huge hinderance in control.

To ID the fruit fly one really only needs to look at it’s eyes. Known for big red bulbous eyes the fruit fly is easily distinguished from other small gnats. Phroid flies look almost identical and many of the same habits but by comparing the eyes you can narrow down your pest rather quickly. You may need a small magnifier for this identification but it’s well worth the time because treating this nuisance as an ordinary fly would be a mistake.

Fruit flies have a complete life cycle meaning the go from egg to larva then pupate into adults. Females can lay up to 500 eggs which are barely visible. She deposits her eggs on or near moist organic material which is where the young will feed.Eggs hatch in only 30 hours and the larvae feed for about 6 days before they move to a drier location to pupate. When conditions are good the whole process from egg to adult can happen in as little as 8 days and the adults are sexually active within 48 hours. This quick life cycle often leads to what seems like overnight population explosions of the fruit fly.

Fruit flies easily follow air currents and usually have several breeding places in any building. Do not assume that all of your breeding sources are indoors; fruit flies will wander in from nearby dumpsters, outdoor garbage cans or even damp compost piles where fruits and vegetableshave beendisposed of. After the source of attraction and breeding has been removed, a pyrethrum-based insecticide may be used to kill any remaining adult flies in the area.

The best approach is to construct a trap by placing a paper funnel (rolled from a sheet of notebook paper) into a glass which is then baited with a few ounces of cider vinegar (or red wine). Place the jar trap wherever fruit flies are seen. This simple but effective trap will soon catch any remaining adult flies which can then be killed or released outdoors.

Want to find out more about fruit flies and how to control them? Follow this link to this and much more information on flies and gnats