Nashville, Murfreesboro, Knoxville and Chattanooga TN
Fruit flies are harmless, but can be worrisome pests for homes and businesses throughout Nashville and the surrounding areas in Middle Tennessee. Once fruit flies make their way into your home, they can be quite difficult to remove. That’s why the pest control professionals at Ameri Care Services put together this guide to deal with fruit flies.
Get the facts on fruit flies
Fruit flies are tiny–only around an eighth of an inch long–and are known for their bright red eyes. They thrive in the summer months and are attracted to sugary, organic materials. They love rotting or overripe fruit, produce, and decaying meat, which are all great food sources and places to lay eggs. They also are drawn to fermented items like beers, wines, and other liquors.
Once fruit flies find a source of food, they contaminate it with bacteria and other pathogens. They often breed and develop in drains, trash cans and garbage disposals. They can also make it indoors, through windows, doors or any openings that are not closed or sealed. If they manage to reproduce indoors, the females can deposit up to 500 eggs, which can hatch in as little as 24 to 30 hours.
Once the new flies hatch from the eggs as larvae, they pupate for about 14 total days as they develop into adults. Once they’ve emerged as adults, they’re ready to mate within two days and proceed to only live for another 10 days–a quick circle of life, indeed. Needless to say, that makes for a pest that’s tough to control!
Follow this guide to prevent fruit flies in your home
- Keep all your fruit and produce refrigerated: Every piece of produce left out in the open represents a possible breeding ground for fruit flies. Keeping them out of reach gives these tiny pests a reason to seek food and nesting elsewhere. If you happen to discover a fruit fly infestation inside your home, be sure to dispose of all overripe fruit and ensure that all your other fresh produce goes into the fridge.
- Be sure to keep screens on your doors and windows: Sealing off openings to your home or office helps to minimize the potential for fruit flies to infiltrate. Because fruit flies are so small, even the smallest crack in a window or door can provide an entry point.
- Check outdoor drains and recycle bins: Outdoor drains can often be in close proximity to nearby trees, where overripe fruits can fall to the ground and into the drain. Make sure to regularly clean drain lines, garbage disposals and anywhere else on your premises where food waste can accumulate.
Professional Pest Control in Nashville and Murfreesboro in Middle Tennessee
Pest control needs will always depend on your circumstances. At Ameri Care Services, professional technicians are expertly trained to address a wide array of pest infestations–fruit flies included. Whatever your pest problem may be, our pest control experts will fully inspect your indoor and outdoor spaces, and provide you with a thorough treatment plan. To find out more, give us a call at (615) 893-7111 or visit us online to schedule your free consultation today.