Fruitfly Control

The fruitfly is one of the most common pests found in and around the home. Fruitflies get their name because they tends to fly around sweet food like fruit. Although fruitflies will thrive on just about anything organic, fruitflies have become a major pest in the home due to the increase of vegetable and fruit consumption. People are eating more vegetables and fruit and with this consumption comes the increase of fruitflies. Fruitfly eggs are carried home on the produce when it is purchased at the grocery. Fruitfly eggs are already laid on the fruit or fruitfly adults simply hitch a ride on the foodstuff and emerge when unpacked. Developing fruitfly pupa are hard to see and typically go unnoticed. Within a few days of being brought home they will start to hatch.

Once in your kitchen, fruitflies will find a ready supply of food and attempt to establish themselves. Fruitflies love garbage disposals, garbage cans and fruit bowls. Washing produce will help to remove fruitfly eggs and pupae but it's hard to get 100% removed. Once they hatch, fruit flies will hover over the sink, garbage or fruit bowls searching for anything sweet to eat and lay eggs. They multiply quickly and will nest in several areas if there is a food supply to feed their larva. Fruitflies are small, about 1/8 of an inch, and have bright red to orange eyes which distinguishes a fruitfly from other species. Fruitfly eggs will hatch in less than two days and young will eat and pupate in under 8 days. Although infestations do not get huge, fruitflies will be persistent and aggravating if left unattended. The following video shows a closeup of two fruitflies where you can see their large red eyes.

Fruitfly Control

The best way to get fruitfly control is to first locate their food supply. If you eliminate what they are feeding and breeding on, fruitfly control will be quicker and more complete. Once you remove any food sources, the following treatment options work well for getting rid of fruit flies.

1) Kill fruitflies that are flying around with a space spray. These are products that can be applied to the air and are safe for kitchens and other areas fruitflies like to nest. PT-565 is a good option as is FLYING INSECT KILLER. It only takes a 1-3 second blast to treat most open areas so there is no need to overdo the treatment.

2) Space sprays only kill adults and since fruitflies breed quickly, it's important that you break their lifecycle if you wish to get fruitfly control. One of the more effective products for breaking their growth cycle is the use of growth hormone like GENTROL AEROSOL. Odorless and easy to apply, Gentrol will break the cycle by preventing the eggs from being able to develop properly so it's good to use when the exact breeding location is unknown but the population keeps rebounding.

3) Fruitflies can be caught with traps like the NATURAL CATCH FRUIT FLY TRAPS or FRUIT FLY GLASS TRAPS. Both can help keep down adult populations throughout the warm season. And since fruitflies can live outside and enter through open doors or windows, keeping these traps out when it's warm can really help to thwart an infestation.

4) If you have a sink or drain system that is prone to having organic matter like food or grease build up, apply some SURVIVORS down the drain a regular basis. It will eat away the organic matter the fruit flies need for reproduction. GENTROL AEROSOL can also be applied to these areas but removing the buildup should be done first whe possible. Survivors will minimize these fruitfly breeding grounds and is good to use on a regular maintenance basis too.

This video shows how easy it is to treat for fruitflies in the home.

Fruitflies can be a persistent pest in the home. Though most common in the summer, they can persist throughout the winter if they find a location in the home on which to breed and nest. Treat with the Gentrol for long term control and keep some of the Fruitfly Traps out when adults are active.