Fruit flies can be nuisances in your home, though you might wonder if they pose any danger to your family. Fortunately, a pest control professional can help you eliminate these common insects. Learn more about why they should be removed with these common questions.

4 Questions People Ask Pest Control Experts About Fruit Flies

What causes fruit flies to infest a home?

Fruit flies may be named for their attraction to sweet fruits, but that’s not all that draws them. They’re also known to inhabit sink drains, garbage disposals, and indoor trash bins. These other areas particularly attract fruit flies when soda, juice, and other sugary beverages are poured into them. The flies also prefer humidity.

How long do fruit flies live?

The life cycle of a fruit fly is brief, but not as short as most people believe. It’s not uncommon to find a nest of up to 500 eggs, usually deposited in decaying fruit. Once those flies hatch, they can live for up to 50 days as long as they have access to sweet, decaying organic material for nourishment.

Are fruit flies dangerous? 

While fruit flies aren’t venomous, their bites transmit bacteria and toxins that they pick up from the decaying fruit and garbage they consume. The flies only feed on the skin of the fruit, so they aren’t usually ingested by people, but the bacteria they leave behind can be harmful. Typically, anyone who eats contaminated food experiences stomach and digestive distress.

Do they die in the winter?

If you have a fruit fly problem in the winter, contact a pest removal service. Cold weather may not necessarily kill off a population. In some instances, fruit flies die once temperatures dropped below 50 degrees. However, they have also been observed to overwinter, or hibernate, until temperatures returned to 60 degrees or higher. Once the temperatures rose, the flies laid their eggs and resumed normal life spans.

If you require pest control services to address a fruit fly or other insect infestation, call on Acme Pest Control in Concord, NC. They’ve served residential and commercial customers for more than 70 years. Learn more about their services by visiting their website, or call (704) 786-4166 to request a free estimate.