What Attracts Fruit Flies in Your House?

Fruit flies, also known as the vinegar or pomace fly, are a species of insect common worldwide. They’re characterised by their black abdomens, small size (measuring only an eighth of an inch in length) and translucent wings.

You’ll often find them buzzing around your kitchen and resting on your food during the warmer months, causing a nuisance. So, why do they appear, and how do you get rid of them?

Stick with us to find out.

What attracts fruit flies?

Fruit flies are generally attracted to the scents of ripened vegetables, fruit, and foods or drinks with a high sugar content. That’s because they’re looking for two things:

1. Fermenting sugars (food)
2. Moist organic matter (a place to lay eggs)

Fermenting fruit and vegetables

Fruit flies are primarily attracted to fruits and vegetables beyond their prime ripeness (or even fermenting). They target these foods because of the high levels of natural sugars, which, as they ferment, produce alcohol.

The fermentation process emits odours and gases highly attractive to fruit flies. When the emerging larvae hatch from their eggs, there will be plenty of food nearby. Fruit flies also often lay eggs on rotten food. The main culprits include:

• Food caddies/compost bins
• Fruit bowls
• Potatoes/onions

Drains and bins

Fruit flies aren’t just attracted to food itself, but also to anywhere that food residue accumulates. Drains, disposals, and rubbish bins often contain bits of organic material and residual moisture: the perfect breeding ground for fruit flies.

The combination of organic matter and a moist environment supports rapid growth and reproduction, making these areas common hotspots for fruit fly activity. Even if they look clean, the slimy organic film inside a plughole or around the rim/hinge of a bin can attract them.

Wine, beer, fruit juice, and vinegar

Fermented beverages such as wine, beer, fruit juices, and vinegar are major attractants for fruit flies.

The fermentation process produces ethanol and other compounds that fruit flies find irresistible. Even small amounts, like a bottle left open or a spill on a counter, can be enough to draw these pests.

By cleaning any residue left on the bottles and cleaning up spills immediately (and thoroughly!), you will avoid attracting fruit flies to your home. Pay extra attention underneath bins where liquids may have leaked through.

Moist environments

The reason fruit flies are attracted to moist environments is closely linked to their breeding habits. Damp areas in homes, such as around leaky pipes, wet mops, or damp rags, are ideal places for fruit flies to lay their eggs.

These moist environments provide the conditions for their eggs to develop and hatch, meaning you’ll need to keep a close eye on any moisture-prone materials or areas of your home and keep them dry!

How long do fruit flies live?

The life cycle of the fruit fly is short.

On average, fruit flies only live for roughly 40-50 days, and during this time, female fruit flies can lay multiple batches of larvae. The fruit fly population then increases rapidly, with the flies dying around 8-15 days after mating.

They lay their eggs in moist environments, on fermenting fruits, sticky surfaces, and anywhere there is an accumulation of food waste.

However, how long fruit flies live depends a lot on factors such as temperature, food availability, and environmental humidity. In cooler temperatures, fruit flies may only live 10-15 days, which is why there’s less of them in the winter.

Are fruit flies dangerous?

While these pests don’t transfer venom or diseases via a bite, having an infestation in your home can pose several health risks.

If a fruit fly carrying a foodborne illness (e.g., gastroenteritis, salmonella, or E. coli) lands on produce that you consume, there is a chance you will contract the disease. They love to frequent bins and drains, picking up all sorts of bacteria and transferring them to your food.

To prevent this, there are certain areas in the home you should protect and foods you should keep out of sight. We’ll dig more into how to prevent fruit flies in your home now.

How to get rid of fruit flies

The key to removing fruit flies from your home is to eliminate potential breeding sites and catch the adults laying eggs early, before they multiply.

You can lay a simple trap to catch adult fruit flies by doing the following:

• Put apple cider vinegar (or wine/beer) in a small bowl/jar
• Add a few drops of washing-up liquid
• Leave near the worst area (sink, fruit bowl, bin)

Some other top tips include:

1. Avoid leaving wet tea towels or mops out in the open: Make sure they’re dry, then store them in an enclosed space. When it’s impossible to keep the area dry (for example, drainage pipes), you can pour hot water down them to help eliminate any eggs or larvae.
2. Keep drains clean: Scrub around any plugholes daily to remove any food residue. Use a drain brush to physically remove slime where possible, and then pour hot water down the drain.
3. Keep on top of food bins: Make sure that you remove and replace any food or recycling bins weekly. This will prevent food from going off or any sticky residue from settling. Always wash the bin out before adding a new bag.
4. Organise your fruit and veg: Check them regularly to make sure none has gone off. Bin any overripe fruit or veg straight away, and store your food in the fridge or in containers so fruit flies can’t get to it. We also suggest keeping onions and potatoes in a cool, dry place.

When to call Premier Pest Control

If you’ve tried everything and you can’t get a fruit fly infestation under control, it’s time to leave it to the professionals.

Our professional pest control specialists deal with all types of residential and commercial pest issues. Just contact us today, explain your issue, and we’ll send someone out to assess the situation.