How do I get rid of fruit flies in my kitchen?
Question: Please help me find the right way to get rid of multiple "fruit flies" that are flying around my bedroom, bathrooms and kitchen. I am really grossed out by this! Just the right spray and instructions if you could?
Answer: What you have is probably the common species of fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster). They are the small brown flies that may be hovering in the kitchen or in the food pantry or closet. Check those potatoes for any rotten ones at the bottom. These flies are active nearly year round, but more so in the summer and fall.
The common fruit flies are light brown in color and with red or black eyes. They are attracted to and breed in overripe fruit and vegetables. In houses they are usually found in the kitchen, and sometimes around the sink or garbage container. They are attracted to the odors that come from the disposal or material in the sink or garbage.
Control of these flies begins with removing the breeding material. Check around your kitchen for any piece of fruit that may have fallen and is rotting. The fermenting fruit is what they are looking for to lay their eggs. This will stop the breeding, but would not get the adults, since the adults can live for a week or so.
Call your local Orkin Branch Office for help. A highly trained Orkin Pest Specialist will conduct a thorough inspection of your home. Once complete, the Orkin Pest Specialist will develop a customized, scientifically proven treatment for this and any other pest found in your home.
Read more about Fruit Fly Control.
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Related Questions
Orkin used the information above to also answer the following questions submitted by Orkin.com users:
Question: I been noticing fruit flies in my kitchen. I am not sure what brought them in, but how do I get rid of them?
Question: How do you kill fruit flies?
Question: I have gnat-sized flying insects that appear at night when I turn on a lamp. They attach to the inside of the lamp shade. They appear to be slightly red in color. Any idea what they could be?
Question: I have a fruit fly problem but have very little money. Every time I think they're gone they appear again. I used to work at a nursing home where a pest company had some stuff that we dumped down the drain. I think that might be what I need. Please help.
Question: We've recently been infested with fruit flies. We've owned this house for four years and had never had a problem until a month and a half ago. We've taken all garbage outside, closed all closeable drains and put out homemade traps (cider vinegar mixed with soap in bowls covered with cellophane with a small hole). The traps are effective, but the flies don't go away. Answer: The adults will live for about three weeks, so if you have removed the source, the adults may still hang around. Check to make certain that there is not a stray potato, an apple or something that has gotten loose and rolled where you can't see it. If this problem has gone on for as long as you say, there must be a breeding site somewhere in the house.
Question: I was wondering how to get rid of fruit flies. I was told that you can pour a 1/4 cup of bleach down the drain. I have tried that and still no luck. Do you have any other suggestions?
Question: Can dogs be infested with fruit flies? We have a fruit fly problem in our house but I also noticed my dogs have the black "flea dirt" on them which is adult flea fecal matter. I found two things on one of my dogs this morning which I thought was a flea but it had wings. This was in the bathroom when I was in the shower and I also noticed "fruit flies" flying around in the bathroom. Then I noticed the two flea like creatures on my dog. Just curious if they are fruit flies on my dogs or fleas?
Answer: They would be fleas and not fruit flies.
Question: I have Orkin service ... I am being bombarded with these little annoying flies in my kitchen. I have no idea where they are coming from. Is this something you treat or can you give me an idea on what to do?
Question: How do we get rid of fruit flies in a restaurant? No matter how much we clean we cannot get rid of them. We have set up traps and everything. Please help.
Answer: You'll have to do a thorough inspection and clean-up; if this is a persistent problem there is a breeding site somewhere (decaying fruit or vegetable). They may be coming from outside, but most likely inside.
Question: How do I get rid of fruit flies? I have no fermented fruit. I've cleaned the kitchen drain. I dispose of fruit peelings, etc. immediately. I've tried sprays but nothing seems to work. What can I do? I live in an apartment.