Content:
- How To Identify Fruit Flies?
- What Attracts Fruit Flies Besides Fruit
- Do Fruit Flies Bite?
- Can Fruit Flies Make You Sick?
- What Kind of Diseases Fruit Flies Can Give You?
- How to Control Fruit Flies and Prevent Them From Coming Back?
- Summary
If you’ve ever had the misfortune of unintentional contact with a fruit fly, you know that they are not the most pleasant creatures. But what you may not know is that these little guys can actually make you quite sick.
In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of the dangers posed by fruit flies, and explore how to best protect yourself from their harmful effects. Stay safe out there – avoid those pesky fruit flies!
How To Identify Fruit Flies?
Fruit flies are small, pests that are often found near ripe fruit. They are also known as vinegar flies. They are attracted to the sugar in fruits and vegetables.
The adult fruit fly is about 1/8 inch long and has a reddish brown body. The wings are clear with dark veins running through them. The fruit fly lays its eggs on the surface of ripe fruits or vegetables.
The eggs hatch and the larvae feed on the fruit or vegetable. After about a week, the larva pupates and emerges as an adult fruit fly. If you see small, dark bugs near your fruit, chances are they are fruit flies.
What Attracts Fruit Flies Besides Fruit
Fruit flies are notorious for their love of fruit. But what else do these tiny pests find irresistible? It turns out that fruit flies are attracted to a variety of different things, actually anything sweet or rotting. This includes overripe fruit, spilled soda, overripe cheese, rotting flesh, and even beer.
In fact, scientists believe that the way fruit flies smell fruits and vegetables is similar to the way humans taste them. This may explain why these pesky insects are so difficult to get rid of!
In addition, these insects are also drawn to areas with high temperatures and humidity – making your kitchen the perfect breeding ground.
Do Fruit Flies Bite?
Other than being a nuisance in the kitchen, many people believe that fruit flies are pests that sting or bite people. However, this is not the case. Fruit flies do not have the ability to sting or bite people.
In fact, they lack the mouthparts necessary for biting. So, technically, they are not true pests. They also do not consume animal feces or dead insects.
Can Fruit Flies Make You Sick?
If you’re probably wondering just how dangerous these little buggers can be, well, the answer may surprise you.
While fruit flies are not known to transmit any diseases themselves, they can carry bacteria on their bodies that can cause illness if transferred to humans. This is most likely to happen if you eat rotten fruit that has been infested with fruit fly larvae, or if you use unclean kitchenware that has been contaminated by fruit flies.
In addition, fruit flies can be a nuisance in clinics and hospitals, where they can land on sterile surfaces and contaminate them with bacteria.
So, while they may not be deadly creatures, fruit flies can certainly make you sick if you’re not careful.
What Kind of Diseases Fruit Flies Can Give You?
Fruit flies are unsightly and annoying, but fortunately, they’re not particularly dangerous. Unlike house flies, which can transmit diseases like dysentery and typhoid fever, fruit flies pose little threat to human health, and are considered “cleaner” pests.
However, that doesn’t mean you should start incorporating them into your diet! Eating fruit fly-infested fruits can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach upset. In rare cases, you may even develop intestinal myiasis – a condition where fly larvae invade and eat the tissues of your intestine. Gross!
Furthermore, it is extremely unlikely that a person will intentionally consume rotten fruits or any decaying food. So while fruit flies might not be the deadliest creatures on the planet, they’re still pretty gross – and you should definitely avoid them if you can help it.
How to Control Fruit Flies and Prevent Them From Coming Back?
Even though fruit flies are far less dangerous than house flies, there are still compelling reasons to eliminate them and prevent their infestation in your home.
The first step is to figure out where they’re coming from. Check all the places in your kitchen where fruits and vegetables are stored, as well as any drains or garbage cans. Once you’ve located the source, throw away any rotten fruits or vegetables and clean the drains thoroughly. You should also make sure to keep all food items tightly sealed.
The next step is to set a trap. Fill a bowl with apple cider vinegar or red wine, and add a drop or two of dish soap. The dish soap will break the surface tension of the liquid, causing the fruit flies to drown. You can also use a store-bought fly trap, but these can be expensive and may not be as effective.
Finally, take steps to prevent fruit flies from coming back in the future. Keep your kitchen clean, don’t leave food out, and seal up any cracks or holes where they might be able to get in. With a little effort, you can say goodbye to fruit flies for good!
Summary
So, should you be worried about fruit flies? Yes and no. They’re not going to make you sick on their own, but they could be a sign that there’s something wrong in your environment that could lead to illness.
If you see a lot of fruit flies, take some time to clean up your kitchen and get rid of any food waste or bacteria sources.
And if the problem persists, it might be time to call in a professional exterminator.
