How to get rid of Fruit Flies? Read our latest blog post

Hereford, are you having a problem with Fruit Flies? We’ve Got it Covered!

It’s that time of year when the weather starts to warm up, we can all start to go outdoors and enjoy a glass of wine or to with a meal with friends and family.

It is also that time of year when we start to experience more problems with flies.

This week we’re looking at fruit flies which are a common nuisance to households and businesses across Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

Fruit flies are mostly attracted to over-ripe fruit and rotten vegetables and fermenting liquids such as beer and wine. You might also find them inhabiting bins and waste disposal areas where there are sufficient food sources.

HOW TO SPOT A FRUIT FLY

Fruit flies are quite small, around 3mm in size. Their main characteristic is their slow hovering flying with abdomen hanging down. Some fruit flies have distinctive protruding red eyes.

FRUIT FLY FACT

There is one species of fruit fly which breeds in sour milk. Something to think about when you are disposing of your milk bottles – make sure you rinse out the last remnants to avoid fruit flies breeding in the residue left in the bottle. This is particularly a problem where more and more of us are recycling and retaining empty containers for up to two weeks before the refuse collectors take the recycling away.

REDUCING YOUR RISK OF SUFFERING A FRUIT FLY INFESTATION

There are some simple steps you can take to reduce a fruit fly outbreak.

OUR TOP 5 TIPS ARE:

Promptly remove and dispose of left-over food and liquids
Rinse out food and drink containers before disposing of / recycling
Maintain good hygiene, wipe up spilled liquids and food matter
Make sure bins are emptied regularly, washed down and in good order with tight fitting lids
Keep windows and doors shut or install fly screens

As businesses across Herefordshire start to re-open it’s important for business owners to take steps to reduce their risk of attracting fruit flies.

Hospitality businesses across Herefordshire should pay particular attention whilst outdoor socialising grows during the warmer weather. Fruit flies feed on over-ripe fruit and alcoholic drinks especially attract fruit flies. Pubs, bars and restaurants may see an increase in fruit flies resulting from spilt drinks, residues in drains and pipes and dregs left in the bottom of glasses.

THE PROBLEM WITH FRUIT FLIES

Like most other flies, fruit flies can be a nuisance. However, they also have the ability to contaminate food and drink with bacteria. Fruit flies can pick up bacteria and other more serious disease and cross-contaminate food, drink, and surfaces by transferring them as they fly around and land on different sources.

Fruit flies also breed very quickly

Fruit flies can lay up to 500 eggs a time and can fully develop in around 7 days in the right conditions. It’s possible to experience a significant infestation in a very short time.

If you have a fruit fly problem in your home or business call PGM & Son Pest Control for help.