Fruit Fly Identification and Property Tips

Small flies around fruit or drink residue may be fruit flies, but several other tiny flies occur indoors. Identification helps locate the right source.

Identification and habits

Common household fruit flies are small, often tan with reddish eyes, and are associated with fermenting food or liquid. Breeding material may be less obvious than a bowl of ripe fruit.

What to do at your property

Remove spoiled produce, rinse recycling and clean sticky spills and waste containers. Check damp cleaning items and overlooked residues. Traps may catch adults, but continued activity calls for another source check rather than assuming the trap removes the problem.

Photograph the pest clearly and note where and when it appeared. Ask Plank about identification and whether inspection, prevention or selected treatment is appropriate. The service scope and any follow-up are confirmed for your property.

Reference: University of Maryland Extension: Fruit flies.

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