Fruit Flies vs Gnats
Fruit flies and gnats may look similar; however, they are very different when it comes to size, shape, and color. Fruit flies and gnats also occupy different habitats and may be drawn to infest a home by different attractants. In this article, we will give you clues to identify the differences between fruit flies vs. gnats, ways to get rid of both pests, as well as tips to prevent them from invading your home.
Many homeowners and restaurants call My Pest Pros because of fruit fly, fungus, and other small fly problems. These pest problems are especially common in the summer months due to increased temperatures and moisture issues. However, many people mistake fruit flies for phorid flies and drain flies, which can indicate physical problems with cleaning or even broken drain lines.
How Do I Identify Fruit Flies vs Gnats?
Even though fruit flies and gnats are both extremely small flying pests, it is possible to identify differences between them. Fruit flies have a rounder body shape than gnats and can come in lighter colors such as tan or gray with red eyes.
On the other hand, gnats have black bodies and eyes with thinner tapered bodies. Gnats are also generally larger than fruit flies. They measure at most a quarter of an inch, while fruit flies top out at an eighth of an inch.
Fruit flies tend to be attracted to trash and rotting fruit. Gnats can also gather near organic material but tend to make their homes in potting soil.
How Do I Get Rid of Fruit Flies and Gnats?
Gnats and fruit flies can easily grow to swarm your house, especially the kitchen since they reproduce and grow quickly. In order to get rid of the fruit flies and gnats in your house, set up homemade traps of apple cider vinegar mixed with sugar, honey, or a piece of rotting fruit.
Place a few drops of dish soap in the liquid and cover it with plastic wrap, poking holes in it so that the flies have a way in. The bugs will be attracted to the sugary bait and land in the vinegar. This will drown them since the soap breaks the surface tension of the liquid.
If your infestation of gnats or fruit flies is really bad, you need to call a pest control company like My Pest Pros. My Pest Pros can help you effectively and efficiently eliminate your fly problem so that you can get your house back and not have to worry about what other pests these tiny critters may attract.
Is There a Way to Prevent Fruit Flies and Gnats in My House?
The best method for keeping gnats and fruit flies out of your house is prevention. Make sure that any trash or compost is properly sealed and disposed of every night. Don’t leave any food, especially fruit, out on the counter. Keep an eye on any potted plants for signs of fungal development in the soil that can attract gnats.
Make sure to clean up dirty dishes after they are used and dispose of any fruit that goes bad immediately. This will help prevent fruit flies or gnats from establishing a colony.
Last but not least, call My Pest Pros at 703-665-4455 to inspect and treat to eliminate and prevent fruit flies and gnats from moving in.