What You Can Do To Get Rid Of Vinegar Flies

Thursday, September 29, 2011

For some reason, the kitchen is currently full of vinegar flies. These annoying pests, also known as fruit flies, tend to gather whenever the bananas in the fruit bowl become overly ripe. While they are not dangerous, they can certainly be a nuisance. These pests are commonly found wherever fruit or vegetables are too ripe or beginning to ferment, and they can be difficult to eliminate.

Vinegar flies are most common in Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan during the late summer months, particularly when fruit from your garden or property ripens and begins to ferment. These flies are also frequently found inside grocery stores, farmers' markets, and canneries. They vary in size, ranging from 3 to 4 mm in length, and are typically light yellow to dark brown. Though sluggish flyers are easy to swat by hand, another seems to appear when you think you've killed the last one. The real problem with these pests is that they breed in drains, under sinks, and other warm, damp areas. They reproduce quickly—within just eight days, if the weather is warm enough—if a food supply is available.

To eliminate vinegar flies, remove places where they can breed and clean up any food sources they may be attracted to. Since these flies are drawn to light, installing fine mesh screens over your windows can help minimize entry points. Be sure to use a 16-mesh screen or finer to prevent these tiny pests from slipping through.

Outdoors, remove and dispose of any rotting or overripe fruit that has fallen to the ground, as it may be feeding the flies. Indoors, store all fruit and vegetables in the refrigerator and rinse cans and bottles before recycling to eliminate any remaining food sources. Once these insects no longer have a food supply, they will not survive indoors.

If you've tried these methods and the flies persist, it's time to call the professionals at Rose Pest Solutions. They can help identify where the flies are breeding and eliminate any additional food sources. With their expertise, they can quickly help you get rid of vinegar flies.

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