fruit flies on banana Of all the pests you deal with around your Richmond, Virginia home, flies can be some of the most annoying. These flying insects can seem impossible to get rid of and even one or two flies buzzing around is enough to drive anyone up the wall. However, there are many different fly species in the area, and they all bring about particular problems and concerns.

One prevalent fly species to invade Richmond's properties is the fruit fly. This tiny species can be much more difficult to identify than larger varieties such as the house fly. However, you can lookout for a few main characteristics. Fruit flies are usually brown to tan in color and have red eyes, and they only get to be about 4 mm long.

However, the best way to tell them apart from other fly species is to pay attention to where they hang out. They will flock together around rotting fruits and vegetables, and it’s common to see more than one at a time.

Are Fruit Flies Dangerous?

While most fly species will land on a variety of food sources, fruit flies are specifically attracted to rotting and decaying organic matter. Their love of moist, old fruits is where they get their name, but it’s not just fruits and vegetables that they will eat, although those are the main food sources. They will also get into sweet-smelling items such as sugary drinks and fermented alcohols like wine and beer.

Because these flies spend time on decaying produce, they often get into garbage cans or other areas full of trash. They can pick up pathogens and parasites on their bodies and then spread these germs to your home. And, seeing as how they are usually found in kitchens, this means they can contaminate food and food preparation surfaces.

Also, fruit flies are a rather difficult pest to remove because they can reproduce so quickly. Females can lay up to 500 eggs, and these eggs can hatch in around 24 hours which means the infestations can be hard to get a handle on once they establish themselves in your home.

Six Fruit Fly Prevention Tips

Because fruit flies can spread microorganisms throughout your house, it’s a good idea to take steps to prevent them. While their small size means it can be tricky to completely deter them, there are still some things you can do to make your property less appealing to fruit flies, such as:

Throw away any fruits and vegetables that have become overripe.
Keep kitchen areas cleaned by doing dirty dishes often and sweeping and mopping floors.
Make sure to wipe up crumbs or spills right away including when you’re eating outdoors.
Cover garbage cans with lids and regularly clean up any trash around your yard.
Fruit flies can accumulate in garbage disposals, so regularly clean drains.
Store produce in airtight containers.

Get Help With Fruit Fly Problems

If you’re dealing with fruit flies around your home, the best and easiest way to get them out and keep them away for good is with help from Pestmaster® Services. Flies are a frequent problem for Richmond homeowners, but with our ongoing residential pest control services, you won’t have to worry about them anymore.

We even make it affordable and simple to get started by offering free quotes. Give us a call at (804) 376-9491 to request yours today!