Don’t be fooled by its small body size! Because in fact, small flies are just as annoying and dangerous to human health as any other type of flies can pose. Learn more about how to get rid of small flies with Rentokil in this article below.
Flies are among the most common pests that can be found year-round in Indonesia regardless of their size – big or small.
There are approximately 160,000 fly species around the world. Where 7 of them are commonly found at homes and businesses across Indonesia. Among those several species, some of them are known to have a smaller body size than others, including:
Although tiny flies like fruit flies and drain flies have a small body size, yet it doesn’t mean you’ll have trouble spotting them. Tiny flies are considered as a weak flyer. They often found awkwardly circling around the sink or drain and also hovering above the fruits. Thus, we bet you can hardly overlook their presence once finding them inside your house.
As annoying as big flies, tiny flies seem to appear out of nowhere and make your home look unhygienic. As they are commonly found infesting in places like kitchens and bathrooms, of course you have been asking for a long time: how to get rid of small house flies infestation in my house?
Before we begin our discussion about how to get rid of small flies at home. Let’s get a brief understanding of what these tiny flies look like, and what attracts them to your house.
Fruit flies
As the name implies, fruit flies are a type of tiny flies that have a special affinity for ripened or fermenting fruits and vegetables.
Fruit flies are known as rapid breeders. Female fruit flies can lay approximately 500 eggs on the surface of rotting fruits or other decaying organic matter; and only take 24-30 hours for the eggs to hatch into larvae.
Under ideal conditions, the entire life cycle of fruit flies from eggs to adults complete within 8 – 10 days. While the adult fruit flies could live up to 2 months.
What do fruit flies look like?
Fruit flies are the smallest members of the fly family. Their tiny size becomes the reason why it’s never easy to control them without the help of a professional fly exterminator in place.
The main characteristics of a fruit fly including:
- Adults fruit flies are about 3 mm long
- Bright red eyes
- Yellow-brown (tan) bodies in color, and the color of their rear body section is black
- Abdomen hangs down in flight, which is slow
- Tend to hover
If you find tiny flies that exactly match the above description, then yes, what you see right now are fruit flies!
What causes fruit flies in the house?
If you ever ask yourself: why do I have so many tiny flies in my house like these pesky fruit flies? Here’s the answer!
The small size of fruit flies makes them easy to sneak into your home even via the narrowest space. They are able to sneak through the gaps between doors or windows, or even fly right through your window screen. It is not even rare if fruit flies can also be brought in from the outside through products you buy from grocery stores.
Once they get inside, fruit flies will fly to the fermented fruit that is left-open on the dining table or kitchen counter. They also like vegetables that are ripening in an open area; and something else like sink drains, garbage disposals, and any other places as long as there is decaying organic matter.
Interesting read: What does fly eat?
How to get rid of fruit flies?
It is important to take early action to prevent fruit flies from reproducing and become a bigger infestation at home. Follow some steps to get rid of fruit flies below:
- Stash the ripening fruits and vegetables inside the refrigerator until you eat it
- Do not leave the produces left open in the countertops – seal your produces in a air-tight containers
- Wipe countertops or other food preparation areas immediately after use
- Clean out sink or floor drains, and make sure there are no leftovers pieces of food left
- Remove seepage of food and liquid at the bottom of the trash can
Drain flies
Drain flies or sewer flies get their common names because of their breeding habits. These tiny flies typically lay their eggs in the moist areas and/or standing water. A female drain fly could lay between 30 – 100 at a time around plumbing drains and sewage systems.
It will not take longer than 48 hours for drain flies to hatch the eggs into larvae. Under ideal conditions (21°C), it takes 10 – 15 days for drain flies to complete the life cycle from eggs to adults. The adult drain flies could live up to 2 weeks.
What do drain flies look like?
Many people often mistake drain flies as moths due to their similar appearance; which is where the body and wings are covered with hairs.
So, how to know if you have drain flies? Let’s look carefully at the main characteristics of drain flies below:
- Adult drain flies are 2 mm in length (or commonly will not bigger than 5 mm)
- Black or dark grey body in colour with a lighter colour wings
- Fuzzy appearance: their body and wings densely covered in hair
- Not a good fliers, and more often seen resting on the wall around the sink or floor drain
Drain flies tend to be a nocturnal fly species. However, they are also attracted to light sources and its presence can also be seen during the day. So if you see tiny flying bugs in house attracted to light – this could be the drain flies you see!
What causes drain flies in the house?
If you can see the appearance of drain flies in a particular place inside the house; then this is the early sign that there is a nearby drain flies breeding ground around you.
These tiny flies will find any moist area to lay their eggs and get their food sources. Most of the time, drain flies are attracted to decomposing organic matter that builds up and causes blockages in drains. This is why drain fly infestation is often turned up in places like the bathroom or kitchen.
For example, shower drain that is clogged due to hair or mold build-up can provide a perfect breeding ground in the bathroom. You also could see drain flies invading the kitchen area, especially if you’re having a clogged or slow-moving kitchen sink drain.
Related article: 4 reasons why are so many flies in my house
How to get rid of drain flies?
Although they are not harmful, having drain flies inside your home can certainly be a nuisance. Below are some initial steps you can do to prevent and get rid of drain fly infestation at home:
Remove any potential clogs from decomposing organic material inside the drain and around the drain traps
Make sure the seldom-used drains are always in cover, and pour boiled water down to it passed at least twice a week.
How to get rid of small house flies infestation?
Either you’re facing the fruit flies or drain flies, their presence will always disturb your comfort at home. Especially, if you don’t stop the infestation immediately right from the beginning of the life cycle; these tiny flies can reproduce quickly and start the bigger infestation at your place.
The best way to prevent and get rid of these tiny fly infestations at home is by enlisting the help of professional pest control services.
Rentokil provides the most effective way of preventing and treating any existing tiny flies infestation for a long term. Our certified and experienced Rentokil experts will ensure full protection to bring small fly infestation under control through:
- ULV fogging
- Foaming solution
- Insect light trap
Call us today at 150808 or fill in the online form to discuss how we can help you to get rid of small flies quickly and efficiently.
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