Key Takeaways
- The small flies in most kitchens are vinegar flies, a type of fruit fly about 3 to 4 mm long.
- They breed in ripe, rotting or fermenting fruit, and also in bins and drains.
- Finding and removing the breeding source is what ends an infestation.
- Vinegar and detergent traps help, but they will not solve a hidden source.
- Queensland fruit fly is a different, larger pest of fruit crops.
What Do Fruit Flies Look Like?
- Size: Drosophila melanogaster, the common fruit fly, is a species of small fly. Adults are 3 to 4 mm long.
- Eyes: usually red.
- Body: a tan front section, with a darker rear.
- Colour: fruit flies can appear brown or tan.
If you see very small insects flying in your kitchen, they are probably fruit flies. Fruit flies can be a problem throughout the year, but they are very common in summer or autumn because fruits and vegetables are ripening or fermenting.
Tomatoes, melons, squash, grapes and even mushroom products often develop an infestation. Fruit flies also eat bananas, potatoes, onions and other edible products. This guide explains how outbreaks happen and how Control Pest Management can help.
Types of Fruit Flies
Two very different flies share the name. Knowing which one you have saves time and effort.
| Fly | Size and look | Where you find it |
|---|---|---|
| Vinegar fly (Drosophila melanogaster) | 3 to 4 mm, dark tan body, red eyes | Kitchens, bins and drains |
| Queensland fruit fly (Bactrocera tryoni) | About 6 to 8 mm, reddish-brown with yellow markings | Orchards and backyard fruit trees |
Biology and Behaviour
Adults are about 3 to 4 mm long and usually have red eyes. The front part of the body is brown, and the back section is black. The fruit flies lay their eggs on the surface of any fermented food, or other damp and organic materials.
After hatching, the larvae feed on the surface of the fermenting food. The potential proliferation of fruit flies is enormous. Left unchecked, they can produce 500 eggs, and the whole breeding cycle can be repeated about once a week.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
The common fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) is known for rapid reproduction. It develops in moist fruit and wherever organic material and water are standing. The life cycle depends on temperature and food, and adult fruit flies can live for up to 30 days.
| Stage | What happens |
|---|---|
| Egg | Laid on fermenting food or damp organic matter |
| Larva | Feeds on the surface of the food |
| Pupa | Develops near the food source |
| Adult | Mates and lays more eggs within days |
How Did I Get Fruit Flies?
Fruit flies are attracted to ripe fruit that is rotting or breaking down. They also love fermented beer, liquor and wine. They grow and develop in bins, drains and mop buckets. When they start breeding inside the house, numbers climb quickly. Control Pest Management will intervene in this process.
- Fruit and vegetables left on the bench.
- Bins and recycling with beer or wine residue.
- Drains and mop buckets with a film of organic matter.
- Damp cloths and sponges.
Signs of a Fruit Fly Infestation
The two most visible signs of fruit fly breeding activity are adult flies and pupae. Adult flies are often seen in kitchens or around bins, close to overripe fruit or vegetables. They are also attracted to liquor and beer bottles.
What Do Fruit Flies Eat?
They eat fruit, vegetables and fermentation products. Fruit fly populations build in summer and are very abundant during the fruit harvest. Inside houses, fruit flies can be active all year round.
How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies
After an infestation starts, all potential breeding areas must be located and removed. Unless the affected areas are cleaned out, the problem will continue and numbers will keep growing. Work through these steps in order.
- Bin or refrigerate ripe and damaged fruit, and wipe benches daily.
- Empty bins often and rinse out recycling.
- Clean drains and wash sponges and cloths.
- Pour apple cider vinegar into a bowl and add a few drops of dishwashing liquid to catch adults.
- Place a plastic bag over suspected bins or drains overnight. Adults that emerge will be caught in the bag.
Removal: When to Call a Professional
Finding the origin of the attraction and growth can be very difficult, and often requires patience. After the source is removed, a pyrethrum-based insecticidal aerosol may be used to kill the remaining adult flies.
If flies keep coming back, the source may be hidden in a drain or wall void. Our fly control on the Gold Coast can trace it.
How to Stop Fruit Flies Coming Back
Prevention is mostly about daily habits in the kitchen. Fruit flies need ripe, fermenting or damp organic material to breed, so removing it breaks the cycle.
- Keep ripe fruit in the fridge or in sealed containers.
- Rinse bottles and cans before recycling them.
- Take rubbish out daily during summer and autumn.
- Run hot water down drains and clean them regularly.
- Wring out mops and let buckets dry upside down.
- Wash and dry sponges and dishcloths each day.
These steps are simple, but they work only if every possible breeding spot is covered. One missed bin or drain is enough for numbers to rebuild within a week or two.
Fruit Flies in Your Kitchen? Call Us
Control Pest Management technicians are licensed, fully insured and police checked, and our treatments are suitable for children and pets. We service the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Gladstone and Logan. Request a free quote or call 1300 357 246.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are fruit flies?
Fruit flies are small flies that breed in ripe, damaged or fermenting food. The tiny tan flies in most kitchens are vinegar flies, about 3 to 4 mm long with red eyes. They multiply quickly in warm conditions, so early action matters.
Where do fruit flies come from?
They come in on fruit and vegetables, or fly in through open doors and windows. Once inside, they lay eggs on ripe, rotting or fermenting food, bins, drains and damp cloths. One overlooked piece of fruit can start a breeding site.
How do I get rid of fruit flies fast?
Remove the breeding source first by binning ripe fruit, emptying bins and cleaning drains. Then set a vinegar and detergent trap to catch adults. If flies return within a few days, a hidden source is likely, and a technician can help locate it.
Are fruit flies harmful?
Vinegar flies do not bite or sting, but they can carry bacteria from bins and drains onto food and benches. They are mainly a hygiene nuisance. Throw away any food they have laid eggs on, and keep fruit covered or refrigerated.
Is a Queensland fruit fly the same as a kitchen fruit fly?
No. Queensland fruit fly is a larger fly, about 6 to 8 mm, that attacks fruit crops and backyard fruit trees. The small flies around your fruit bowl are vinegar flies. If you suspect Queensland fruit fly in your trees, contact your state agriculture department.
How long do fruit flies live?
Adult fruit flies can live for up to 30 days. In that time a female can lay hundreds of eggs, and the breeding cycle can repeat roughly once a week in warm conditions. That is why a small problem can become a big one quickly if the source is not removed.