Learn how to identify, remove, and prevent a fruit fly infestation from taking over your home.
What Causes a Fruit Fly Infestation in the House?
Overripe fruit, rotting food, and fermentation can all cause a fruit fly infestation.
The Spruce / Cristina Tudor
Even kitchen drain scum can provide them with sustenance, so don’t rule anything out.
Under ideal conditions, they can live up to 50 days.
Aside from their physical appearance, observe their habits.
If the flies are drawn to vinegar-based condiments or ripened fruit, they’re likely fruit flies.
If theyaren’tbehaving like fruit flies, then you might be dealing withdrain fliesorfungus gnatsinstead.
These maggots will soon be adult flies.
Where Do You Usually Find Fruit Flies in the House?
The minimum mesh size to keep out the flies is 16 openings per inch.
But, a homemade fruit fly trap can help reduce the visible population in the meantime.
Just keep in mind that a trap won’t do its job if a food source is still present.
Fruit flies are not a pest that will go away all on their own.
How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies in Your Home.MSU Extension,
