How To Get Rid Of Fruit Flies In Your Jacksonville Home

There are many different types of house flies, with varying levels of threat to your health. Each of these also comes with a different set of annoyances and quirks. While it’s a significant annoyance to have fruit flies everywhere, it’s not as dangerous as having a house fly problem. Despite that, they’re not exactly safe to have in and around your food. Keep reading to learn more about identifying fruit flies, the health hazards of having them around, and how to prevent and get rid of fruit flies.

How To Tell If It’s Fruit Flies In Your Jacksonville Home

Fruit flies are just one of many types of house flies, and it can be difficult to tell the difference between them. For example, in the realm of tiny flies, it’s hard to see whether you have fruit flies or gnats.

A fruit fly can grow to about ⅛ of an inch in length. They are tan or light-colored with orange-red eyes. It can often seem like these little guys came from nowhere, but a common way they come inside is through eggs lain in grocery store fruits. While they have a short lifespan of up to fifty days, they can lay around 500 eggs in that time.

To tell whether you have fruit flies or gnats, pay close attention to the coloration and shape. Gnats are not shaped like flies, rather, they look much closer to mosquitoes. They are also black with eyes that are too small to see. Gnats are also tiny flies, attracted to potted plants and organic matter, while fruit flies prefer to feed on surfaces with food residue or rotting food.

Is It Safe To Eat Something A Fruit Fly Has Landed On In Jacksonville?

Fruit flies don’t bring their own diseases into the home, but it can be an indication of poor sanitation if there are fruit flies everywhere. If surfaces or repositories for decaying food in your home contain bacteria like E. Coli or listeria, the flies can carry these onto your food and put you at risk of salmonella.

Fruit Fly Prevention Tips For Jacksonville Homes

If you can’t get rid of fruit flies or simply want to fortify your home against them, here are a few prevention techniques you can try:

• Cover indoor trash, take it out daily, and sanitize the bin weekly.

• Be vigilant about sanitizing kitchen counters and sinks, being careful not to leave food and dirty dishes in them.

• Throw away food and fruit that is past its due date or beginning to go bad.

• Seal produce in airtight plastic or glass containers.

• Seal cracks and crevices around the home’s exterior with a silicone-based caulk, paying careful attention to the areas around windows and doors.

• Make sure door and window screens are in good condition and free of tears.

The Best Fly Control For Your Jacksonville Home

If you’re having a hard time and can’t get rid of fruit flies, Lindsey Pest Services can help. For more than 60 years, we’ve been protecting the greater Jacksonville area with pest control programs that are affordable and effective.

With three levels of service to suit your needs, Lindsey Pest Services can get rid of flies and protect your home from future pests through every season, at your price point and your convenience. To get started with your free inspection, call Lindsey Pest Services today.