How to Avoid Summer Fruit Flies After a Farmers’ Market Run
Because of all the fresh summer produce that’s available in the grocery store or farmers’ markets, it’s common to keep fresh fruits and vegetables on your countertops after a run. However, if you do this, you may have encountered teeny, tiny pests—called fruit flies—that feast on your produce. Here are three interesting facts about fruit flies:
#1: These pests breed and reproduce extremely quickly.
#2: Their lifecycle is only eight days long.
#3: While they don’t sting or bite, they leave foodborne illnesses like E. Coli around your home.
In short, fruit flies won’t kill you, but they are annoying. Avoid summer fruit flies with some home remedies that are quick and easy!
What Do Fruit Flies Love?
They are drawn to anything sugary—whether it be fruit, beer, wine, candy, desserts, etc. Because of their sugar addiction, they will go to whatever means possible to find their favorite foods. They will search through your trash, compost, sink (and even go down the drain), and recycling bins. However, implementing regular household chores can minimize the risks of a fruit fly infestation in your home.
Washing Your Produce
Before storing your fresh produce, inspect and wash it. There may be little eggs or larvae in the fruit’s crevasses that only become noticeable once clean. After washing your produce, consider storing it in your refrigerator. Doing so not only slows down the ripening process: It also prevents fruit flies from latching onto your food because it’s too cold for them to survive in the refrigerator.
Clean Effectively
Fruit flies are persistent and fast when it comes to finding food. As mentioned before, they will go to whatever means possible to accommodate their sugar addition. Even if you spill just one drop of juice, they will often flock to it. Once you’re finished in the kitchen, clean your countertops, kitchen appliances, and dishes.
A crucial area for cleaning is the kitchen sink. Bits of food can get stuck in the drains; it’s good practice to clean and flush your disposal after each time you use your kitchen. This will not only rid it of any fruit fly issue: It will also help keep your kitchen smelling fresh.
Avoid Summer Fruit Flies with these Tips
There are many other ways to lessen your chances of a fruit fly infestation, but those listed above are simply to help get you started. If you see even just one fruit fly, you may already have an infestation hidden under your nose.
If this happens, of course, implement the household cleanup previously listed—but also contact us! Vulcan Termite & Pest Control wants you to feel confident that your home is free from pests and insects. We look forward to connecting with you on ways to avoid summer fruit flies and other annoying pests.