How to Kill and Get Rid of Fruit Flies

Fruit Fly Facts

Fruit flies can reproduce anywhere there is fermenting organic matter that stays consistently wet or moist. Like other flies, the fruit flies develop from larvae, and fruit fly larvae must have moist, fermenting organic matter in order to survive. The most likely of such sites in the home is a slow-moving or seldom-used sink, bathtub, shower, or floor drain in which a layer of slime (organic film) has built up above the water line. In restaurants and bars, other moist accumulations of fermenting organic matter are possible and should be considered. These include wet areas under dripping pipes and refrigeration equipment, garbage containers, and discarded bottles and cans. Regardless of where the flies originate, they will be seen at windows and at sinks, as they are attracted to light and to moisture.

Fruit Fly Life Cycle

Female fruit flies lay their eggs on the surface of rotting fruit. These eggs hatch into larvae, which molt twice before becoming full grown. Fruit fly larvae feed on the yeast organisms and fungi growing in the fruit and vegetable materials, and through their feeding efforts, they soon turn their food into a semi-liquid mess. When the full grown larvae are ready to pupate, they leave the rotten fruit for drier areas, usually to the sides of the garbage can. The time required to complete one life cycle is mainly dependent on the temperature of the growth medium and surrounding air; at 64 degrees Fahrenheit, it takes 18-20 days for growth from the egg stage to adult, while at 77 degrees Fahrenheit, only 8-10 days are required to complete the stages of development.

Fruit Fly Identification

Florida carpenter ant

Common Fruit Fly
1/8 inch in length

Fruit Fly Control Recommended Products:

Fruit flies are small, red-eyed, 1/4 inch long flies commonly associated with overripe and fermenting fruits and vegetables. However, fruit need not be present to have fruit flies, as they can originate from other sources.

Fruit flies can reproduce anywhere there is fermenting organic matter that stays consistently wet or moist. Like other flies, the fruit flies develop from larvae, and fruit fly larvae must have moist, fermenting organic matter in order to survive. The most likely of such sites in the home is a slow-moving or seldom-used sink, bathtub, shower, or floor drain in which a layer of slime (organic film) has built up above the water line. In restaurants and bars, other moist accumulations of fermenting organic matter are possible and should be considered. These include wet areas under dripping pipes and refrigeration equipment, garbage containers, and discarded bottles and cans. Regardless of where the flies originate, they will be seen at windows and at sinks, as they are attracted to light and to moisture. Cleaning up spilled beer residue nightly in commercial bars and kitchens is of prime importance as beer will attract and provide a food source for fruit flies.

Getting Rid of Fruit Flies

Easy Fruit Fly Control

Fruit Flies are best controlled by locating and eliminating the source of the infestation. Sprays, fog and traps will capture and kill the adult flies, but control of the larvae and elimination of the breeding area will be the only way to stop them. Persistent presence of adult Fruit Flies indicates the larvae are developing nearby. This is always in the area of decaying or rotting organic matter, especially fruits and vegetables - hence the name fruit fly.

Fruit Fly breeding areas are occasionally difficult to locate. Trash cans, areas under and around equipment, tables, etc in kitchens, bars and food areas are the #1 area where Fruit Flies hide and lay eggs. Plants, floor drains, etc in other areas of homes or buildings are also prime areas but of less importance. The important thing to remember is that there IS a source of Fruit Fly infestation somewhere. The Fruit Flies are breeding somewhere close by, and that is where the effort needs to be concentrated.

Best Products For Fruit Fly Control

Insecticide fogs such as CB80 or PT 565 Pyrethrum Aerosol can be sprayed into the air to kill adult winged Fruit Flies. A simple 3 second spray into the air with the products will kill most Fruit Flies within the area. These products can also be sprayed under and behind equipment and in hidden areas, cracks, and crevices. A foam injection of Gentrol IGR Aerosol will provide a much needed Growth Regulator application to cracks, crevices and drains that will kill Fruit Fly eggs and stop the immature larvae from becoming adults.

CyKick CS sprayed with a hand held pump sprayer under and behind tables, equipment and "over the top" of organic matter such as beer, food, trash etc, will provide control, however, cleaning these areas first and then applying CyKick is recommended. CyKick can also be sprayed into trash cans, dumpsters, along baseboards and other other areas. It also provides good control of cockroaches and other crawling pests.

Fruit Fly Traps such as the Natural Catch, Invite Fruit Fly Trap or the Vector 960 provide good control by capturing the flying adult fruit flies. Don't be mislead into thinking that these traps will control the population. Fruit Fly traps only trap the adults, they do nothing for the eggs or immature larvae. For control of eggs and immature larvae, you first have to find the area, and then use an Insect Growth Regulator (IGR) such as Gentrol Aerosol to treat it. Other IGR's such as NyGuard IGR can be mixed in tank sprayers and sprayed over a much broader area.

Floor Drains can also provide a source for Fruit Flies. One way to check individual drains is to cover the drain with a plastic film such as "Saran Wrap" taped to the floor or fixture. If the flies are breeding in that drain, the adults will accumulate underneath the film within a day or two. Gentrol Aerosol is a good product to use to kill fruit fly eggs and discourage immature fly development. Gentrol can be applied into drains, under appliances, floor mats, around plants, dumpsters, etc. Drain Gel provides good control of slime buildup inside drains that can attract fruit flies.

The most important thing to remember in Fruit Fly Control is that the flies are there because there is an attraction and a source for them to breed. Once the breeding areas are reduced or eliminated, trapping or killing the adults becomes very easy.