Have you ever spotted tiny little flies buzzing around your kitchen? Chances are, you could be dealing with one of three common pests in your home: fruit flies, drain flies, and fungus gnats. In order to successfully control the problem, you need to be able to spot the difference between the three flying insects. In this article, you will learn how to spot the insects, how to identify the source, and what methods to use to get rid of them.
Identifying Fruit Flies
Fruit flies are small reddish-brown flies with red eyes. They measure 1/8 of an inch, and have a yellowish halo pattern on their wings. They hover around sweet, overripe produce and are usually found in kitchen areas and near drains. They are also attracted to beverages like beer and wine.
What Attracts Fruit Flies?
Fruit flies can be attracted to overripe or rotting fruit, vegetables, and even leftover food scraps. Any moldy or fermented food stuff is a food source for fruit flies. They are also attracted to any uncovered food, like leftovers in a fridge, open jams and jellies, and pet food.
How to Prevent Fruit Flies?
In order to prevent fruit flies, you need to keep your eating areas as clean as possible. Be sure to follow basic food safety and cleanliness rules, such as storing your food in sealed containers, cleaning dishes and surfaces immediately, and throwing away overripe produce. You should also check your drains regularly for clogs and food buildup, as this can attract the insects.
Identifying Drain Flies
Drain flies are small and fuzzy flies that live in drains and sink traps. They measure 1/8 of an inch and have furry wings and mottled gray and black bodies. They can often be seen hovering around wet areas like bathroom and kitchen drains, and swimming pools.
What Attracts Drain Flies?
Drain flies are attracted to damp and wet areas, as they breed and feed on a sticky, gooey substance called biofilm. This biofilm is found in sink and bathtub traps, and can often be found in areas with a lot of moisture, like faucets and drains.
How to Prevent Drain Flies?
In order to prevent drain flies, it is important to keep drains and sinks clean and dry. Make sure to clean out sink traps regularly and use a pipe cleaner to clear clogs and built up biofilm. Also, make sure to not let water pool in any area for more than a day.
Identifying Fungus Gnats
Fungus gnats are small, black, mosquito-like insects that measure 1/8 of an inch. They fly in and around houseplants and soil, leaving tiny black spots of frass, or insect droppings.
What Attracts Fungus Gnats?
Fungus gnats are attracted to moist, damp soil. They lay their eggs in soil that is rich in organic matter, and feed on decaying plant and fungus material.
How to Prevent Fungus Gnats?
In order to prevent fungus gnats, it is important to keep houseplants and soil dry. Make sure that the soil is not too damp, and that the drainage holes on the pot are not blocked. Also, make sure to dispose of old and decaying plant material, as this can be a source of food for the gnats.
People Also Ask
Where do fruit flies come from?
Fruit flies can come from overripe, rotting, or exposed produce, as well as from cracks in walls and other areas of the home.
Are drain flies harmful?
Drain flies are not known to spread any diseases, but they can still be an annoyance and can ruin food.
Are fungus gnats dangerous?
Fungus gnats are not known to spread any diseases, but they can leave small, black spots of frass which may damage plants over time.
What will get rid of fungus gnats?
In order to get rid of fungus gnats, it is important to keep the soil dry, avoid over-watering plants, and dispose of old and decaying plant material. Traps and insecticides may also be used.
When do fruit flies lay eggs?
Fruit flies typically lay eggs near the food source. Female fruit flies can lay up to 500 eggs at a time, typically within an hour of mating.
Final Words
Fruit flies, drain flies, and fungus gnats are common pests in the home. In order to identify and successfully remove these pests from your home, it is important to know how to spot the difference between them. In this article, we have provided helpful tips on how to spot them, what attracts them, and how to prevent them.