It’s Peach and Strawberry Season in Virginia which means those pesky little flies show up. Learn the Difference Between a Drain and Fruit Fly—Plus, How to Rid Your Home of Either for Good
A pest control expert shares his best advice.
Drain and fruit flies are two nuisance pests commonly found indoors. And while they have similarities—both are small compared to larger house flies and breed in organic materials—their respective infestations require different treatment plans. Here, Jim Fredericks, Ph.D., a chief entomologist for the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), explains how you can identify and exterminate these common bugs for good.
Drain Flies
Drain flies, which are sometimes also known as moth flies, breed in the organic debris that builds up—as their name implies—inside of drains. “The larvae burrow into and feed on the gelatinous goo that lines drains,” says Fredericks. “They are often seen resting on vertical surfaces but will fly when disturbed.” Drain flies are most commonly confused with the phorid species, which is more nefarious; an infestation of this bug is most often associated with a broken sewage pipe that has contaminated the soil that surrounds it. “The flies’ larvae feed in this soil, and will often emerge back through the drains that lead to these pipes,” he says, adding that another name for these are coffin and mausoleum flies, since they thrive in a variety of decaying organic materials.
Fruit Flies
Fruit flies, similarly, are commonly found in homes, restaurants, and other facilities where food is processed, says Fredericks. “They are typically tan and have red eyes,” he says, adding that you’ll find them hovering over too-ripe fruits and vegetables. “The flies lay eggs on overripe fruits and veggies and their larvae feed on the yeast cells that are produced as the produce ferments,” he says. It is the fermentation process that attracts them—which is why it’s not uncommon to see fruit flies at wineries, circling your wine glass.
Exterminating Both Species
“Fly identification is the critical first step in the control process,” affirms Fredericks. “You need to know which fly is causing the infestation, so that the breeding source can be addressed.” You can control fruit flies by eliminating their food source and improve sanitation—”monitor produce that is left on the counter to ripen, and move it to the fridge before it goes bad,” he shares. “And be aware of produce that is placed in garbage cans.” Since flies will readily use trash cans as a food source, it’s a good idea to choose a model with tightly-closed lid; clean your bin regularly to remove any organic materials left at the bottom. And don’t forget to wipe up spills as soon as they happen, since it doesn’t take much to attract and sustain fruit fly development, he adds.
As for drain flies? Extermination may be as simple as cleaning out your drain and sink trap. Removing phorid flies, on the other hand, is more challenging and may require a plumber and costly repairs to fix broken underground pipes. “It can be difficult for someone who is untrained to tell the difference between phorid flies and drain flies, so it is best to reach out to a professional for help,” notes Fredericks.
By Lauren Wellbank, Marthastewart.com Home