How Fruit Flies Get Into Your Home

There is nothing quite like a fruit fly infestation. It can almost seem like magic when an infestation rears its ugly head, especially if you think all of those flies are coming in from the outside. But, a fruit fly infestation doesn't work that way. It often begins with a single fly or a single batch of eggs. Let's see if we can take some of the mystery out of this pest problem.

Since fruit flies are able to fly, they have many ways to get into a home. They can fly in through an open door when you enter, or find any number of entry points in your exterior walls and roofline that you don't even know exist. All it takes is one female fly to start an infestation. If she finds a location to lay her eggs, it won't be long before your home is filled with flies. A single female can lay hundreds of eggs in her short lifespan.

Although it takes a little over two weeks for fruit flies to go from eggs to mature adults, it can seem like this process happens a lot quicker. A few flies one day often turns into a dozen flies the next. This isn't because the first flies reproduced. It is simply because the flies are coming out of their pua cases at different times. And it may also be that there is more than one batch of eggs in your home. Once the full population of fruit flies takes to the air, they will be mature within 48 hours and able to lay more eggs. If left untreated, that infestation is likely to expand exponentially in a two-week span.

Another way fruit flies get into a home is by riding in on fruit. A batch of eggs does not need the mother in order to hatch. If fruit is left on a table or counter, it can ripen enough to allow the eggs to hatch. It is always best to keep fruit in the fridge. Low temperatures slow the development of fruit flies.

How To Get Rid Of Fruit Flies

There are many ways for fruit flies to get into a home, and many locations they can use to breed. For best results, consider getting ongoing professional pest control for your home. While fruit flies are only an irritation, they may be a warning sign that your home has entry points that can be exploited. Ongoing pest control service will not only help you keep irritating pests from driving you crazy, but also manage the threat of more dangerous pests. For more information, or to set up service, reach out to us. You'll be amazed at how nice life can be without pests.