subject: That Pesky Gnat [print this page] Drosophila is the scientific name for something you might know better as a fruit fly. This tiny pest only measures about 1/8 of an inch but it might as well be 3 feet tall when it comes to getting rid of him. Fruit flies are also called the red eyed fly, pomace flies and vinegar fly. This pest is found throughout the world and can make it's home inside or out. This versatility makes it hard to get rid of in sensitive places like hospitals, restaurants or wineries. Building often offer many places for this fly to thrive and especially larger ones such as mentioned above.
The fruit fly is often mistaken for just another gnat or even the phorid fly but this is a mistake to give such a cavalier ID. The best way to identify this pest is by its red eyes which can easily be seen with just a little magnification. Knowing any pest ID is important so you know how to treat and where to look and this especially important fotr the fruit fly.
If you are infested with fruit flies,all potential breeding areas must be located and eliminated. Unless the breeding areas are removed or cleaned, the problem will continue no matter how often insecticides are applied to control the adults. Finding the source of attraction and breeding can be very challenging and you will need a bit of patience and persistence. These areas can include seldom cleaned garbage cans, drains, a forgotten vegetable, a spill underneath the fridge and even a tiny amount of debris under a table leg or appliance leg.
To eliminate fruit flies you must find and eliminate all breeding sites. Simply pouring bleach down the drain rarely works so you should actually clean the area with a brush or cleaning product that removes such scum. Insecticides are all but useless in the fight against the fly. You may kill some adults but unless you cut the life cycle you'll never get ahead. It may be difficult to find all the sources and you'll definitely need to be persistent. Rotting or fermenting organic material is the key and this can be just about anywhere. Drains are classic, old vegetables or a forgotten spill no matter how small can be enough to sustain quite a large number of fruit flies. This fly is not limited to walking and will fly in from places like dumpsters, compost piles or the like.
The best approach is to construct a trap by placing a paper funnel (rolled from a sheet of notebook paper) into a glass which is then baited with a few ounces of cider vinegar (or red wine). Place the jar trap wherever fruit flies are seen. This simple but effective trap will soon catch any remaining adult flies which can then be killed or released outdoors.
