The fruit flies are attracted to the moist rotting fruits. In many cases, you bring the fruit flies home with you from the grocery store. You should always notice the presence of fruit flies when you are purchasing fruit; if they are there, you must be sure to wash the fruit as soon as you get home.
When fruit starts to go bad, you should not leave it out where the flies can get to it. It is important that you throw rotting fruit in a sealed garbage can outside and thoroughly clean the area and any remaining fruit. Refrigeration is a great way to keep the fruit flies from getting to your fruit. Also, never eat contaminated fruit due to the health hazard where the fruit flies are present.
Once fruit flies are in your home, they will begin to seek moisture anywhere they can find it. Garbage cans, wet dish rags, and drains all can become a breeding ground for fruit flies. Seal all garbage cans if possible and remove the bag at any sign of flies hanging around the trash. If you have a dumpster outside, bug spray can be an efficient way to getting rid of fruit flies while preventing them from breeding close to the house.
Rinse dish rags, hang them to dry, and never leave them sitting in a manner that they will stay wet or damp. You should clear the drain of any food debris. In fact, sanitation is the key to getting rid of fruit flies. Clean and dry any surface around food and soon you will get rid of the fruit flies.
As mentioned above, these flies seek out, feed upon and lay their eggs in rotten or exposed material. They will be drawn to dark moist areas such as sink drains, odd areas such as under the refrigerator, under the dishwasher and beneath the sink. They will take an open invitation to any exposed food, drinks, liquids, improperly stored grains and herbs, potatoes and dirty dishes. The garbage can is also a culprit in the source of fruit flies. By effectively cleaning and sanitizing these areas and taking your trash out on a regularly basis, you will no longer have to worry about getting rid of fruit flies.
In short, you can nip in the bud if you keep your house clean by following every important step of cleanliness. You can check out this page for more information.
Flies have been underestimated as vectors of disease according to the research conducted at Louisiana State University. There is good evidence that flies can spread diseases, and many of these pathogens can also infect humans. In this article, we will discuss about electric fly swatters to fight against fruit flies.
Many flies have been known to be the transmitters of disease due to their lifestyle. In addition to contamination of the foods we eat with fly eggs and maggots, flies pick up disease-causing bacteria, viruses, or protozoa when they land on garbage, rotting debris, animal carcasses, and excrement. In fact, flies may carry up to 6 million bacteria after walking around on excrement. Their body hairs and the sticky pads on their feet easily carry bacteria. We receive the bacteria when they land on our food or any surfaces that we come in contact with. More directly, we can receive the disease if the fly pierces human skin. When feeding, fruit flies discharge saliva and feces which may contain the disease-causing bacteria.
Their populations build over the summer and reach their peak during the early months. As winter draws near, the fruit flies enter their pupae casings which protects them from the cold.
There are about five common fly species. The most common are the house flies that are about a quarter inch in length and dark gray in color. You probably see them most often around organic material i.e. garbage, lawn clippings, decaying vegetables and manure because that is where they choose to breed.
Second in population to the house flies are the little house flies. As the name suggests, these are similar in appearance but smaller in size. On hot days, these are ones that you might find in an air-conditioned building.
The tiny flies that are brownish in color with red eyes are known as fruit flies or vinegar flies. You most commonly find them hovering around ripe or overripe fruits and vegetables where they choose to lay their eggs. A fruit fly trap is very much effective in controlling their infestation. The other two flies are rarely seen. Cluster flies or attic flies are the largest and darkest of the species.
A University of Nebraska study included electric fly swatters as the best form of fly control, especially for small-scale use. It also stated that using insecticides can be problematic because of its restrictions. Insecticides can only be applied to areas away from food, even though flies are most drawn to food, and insecticides should not be poured down the drain. In all, usage requires careful reading of the label to prevent mishaps. Using chemicals for natural fly control is hazardous to human and animal life.
Inhalation of the fly controlling chemicals can lead to damage in the lungs. Chemical fly control is also expensive and high-maintenance due to its oil-based attractant. With repeated use, flies build up resistance to the chemical and then the chemical is less effective at exterminating flies. An electric fly swatter avoids the problem of insecticide resistance. This form of physical control has no harmful effects on the surrounding environment. It specifically kills only what you want it to kill, without smelly, greasy sprays or toxic fumes.