Don't Let A Fruit Fly Infestation In Huntsville Ruin Your Summer
July 30, 2022
It's summertime, and that means cookouts, pool parties, and outdoor fun! But if you're like many homeowners in Huntsville, you may be dreading the arrival of fruit flies. These pesky little insects can quickly ruin your summer plans. Learn how to identify fruit flies, how to tell if you have a fruit fly infestation, and tips to prevent fruit flies in your home. Stay pest-free this summer with the Huntsville pest control experts, Custom Pest Control.
Is This A Fruit Fly?
Fruit flies and gnats are both small, dark-colored flies; however, fruit flies are about ⅛ inch long while gnats can be up to ¼ inch long. Fruit flies have red eyes and a tan thorax with black stripes. Their abdomens are black and their wings are clear. Gnats, on the other hand, do not have red eyes. They also have a darker thorax and abdomen and their wings may be tinted with yellow or brown.
How To Tell If You Are Dealing With A Fly Infestation
Fruit flies are attracted to ripe fruit and vegetables, as well as garbage cans, drains, and other places where organic matter is present. This is why you'll often find fruit flies in kitchens. Even if you don't have ripe fruits or vegetables in your home, fruit flies can lay their eggs in small amounts of water that are often found near drains or in garbage cans. If the larvae hatch and find food nearby, they will grow into adults and begin reproducing. If you see a swarm of flies near these areas in your home, you may have a fruit fly infestation.
Other signs of a fruit fly infestation include:
- Maggots in garbage cans or other places where organic matter is present. These are fruit fly larvae.
- Small black specks on surfaces near where the flies are present. These are the fruit fly eggs that hatch into maggots.
- A sweet or rotting smell coming from where the area in question. This is caused by the fruit fly larvae feeding.
If you have small flies in your home and you're still not sure whether you have a fruit fly infestation, contact the experts at Custom Pest Control right away. We will inspect your home and determine the best course of action to get rid of these pests for good!
Fruit Fly Prevention Tips
Now that you know how to identify fruit flies and how to tell if you have an infestation, it's time to learn how to prevent these pests. The best way to get rid of fruit flies is to keep your kitchen clean.
Here are some tips for preventing fruit flies in your home:
- Wipe down countertops and other surfaces after cooking or eating.
- Store fruits and vegetables in the fridge or sealed containers.
- Empty garbage cans regularly.
- Keep drains clean by scrubbing them with a brush or using a drain cleaner monthly.
There are also some natural ways to get fruit flies with essential oils. Peppermint oil, for example, is a natural insecticide that can be used to repel fruit flies. Simply add a few drops of peppermint oil to a cotton ball and place it near areas where you've seen fruit fly activity. Lavender oil, lemon oil, and eucalyptus oil are some other popular essential oils used to get rid of flies using the same method. By following these tips, you can get rid of fruit flies and keep them from coming back.
The Best Fly Control in Huntsville
If you're dealing with a fruit fly infestation in your Huntsville home, contact Custom Pest Control. Our experienced technicians use only the best products and methods to control fruit fly populations. We have more than 25 years of experience treating northern Alabama pests, and we customize every home pest control and commercial pest control plan to meet your specific needs. Call us today to enjoy a fruit fly-free summer!