Fruit flies are tiny brown or yellowish flies, about 2 to 3 mm long, with red eyes, that breed in ripe fruit, compost and other damp, fermenting food. They do not bite, but a small problem becomes a big one quickly. To get rid of fruit flies, remove what they breed in, clean the bins and drains and trap the adults.
What fruit flies look like
The fruit flies in your kitchen are vinegar flies (Drosophila), also called pomace flies. Adults are about 2 to 3 mm long, brown to yellowish, with red eyes and clear wings. The larvae are pale, translucent and hard to spot, and they live in the fruit or food itself. These are not the larger fruit flies that attack orchard crops; they are the small ones that turn up around ripe bananas.
Fruit fly vs drain fly vs fungus gnat
Three small flies get mixed up all the time, and the fix is different for each because they breed in different places. Look at the size, the wings and where the fly is hanging around.
| Fruit fly | Drain fly (moth fly) | Fungus gnat | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it looks like | Brown to yellowish, about 2 to 3 mm, with red eyes and clear wings | About 3 mm, dark and fuzzy, with hairy wings held like a roof over the body | About 3 mm, black to dark, with long legs and antennae and clear wings with a Y-shaped vein |
| Where it breeds | Ripe or rotting fruit, spilled sweet liquids, compost and other moist, fermenting matter | The slimy film inside sink, shower and floor drains, and other wet organic matter | Damp potting soil and other moist growing media |
| Where you see it | Kitchens, around fruit bowls, bins and compost | Bathrooms, kitchens and basements, near drains | Around houseplants, seed trays and worm bins, and at windows and lights |
| First step | Remove ripe fruit and food waste, empty bins daily and set a trap | Scrub the film out of the drain and fix slow drains | Let the top of the soil dry out and clear debris from the pot |
Fruit fly biology and life cycle
Fruit flies live fast. One female can lay hundreds of eggs, the adults live only three or four weeks, and the eggs are laid on moist, spoiling food. That is why they seem to come from nowhere: the eggs may have arrived on the fruit you bought.
Fruit fly life cycle
Eggs on moist, fermenting food
A female can lay 400 to 500 eggs in her short life, choosing damp surfaces and spoiling food where the young will have something to eat.
Larvae feed
The pale, translucent larvae live hidden in and around damaged or rotting fruit and other soft, fermenting food.
Pupae
The larvae pupate close to the food, often on drier surfaces nearby.
Adults
Adults live about three to four weeks, and they breed almost as fast as they hatch, which is why a small problem becomes a cloud in days.
Where fruit flies come from
They can arrive either way: as eggs on the fruit and vegetables you bring home, or by flying in through gaps, screens and open doors, and experts do not agree on which is more common. They are strong fliers, and they head for moisture, overripe fruit and any compost or garbage. The little compost container on the counter is a favourite. Once inside, they need very little: a forgotten banana, a wet mop head, a sticky bottle or a pocket of spilled juice under a cupboard is enough.
Why fruit flies surge in late summer and fall
If it feels as though the fruit flies arrive all at once, you are right. They show up from late summer into fall, drawn to ripe, fermenting produce from the garden and to the warmth of the house as the weather cools. They can get in through the smallest cracks. From egg to adult can take as little as a week, a female can lay up to 500 eggs, and an adult lives roughly 40 days, so two flies can become hundreds in a single week.
Fruit flies in the house: where to look
Fruit flies in the house tend to stay close to where they were born, so the flies show you where the source is. Check the fruit bowl, the produce drawer, the compost pail and recycling bin first. Then look at drains: fruit flies like to lay eggs in sinks and the drain, and in showers as well. A slow drain, a damp dishcloth or mop, and a cupboard with a leaking bottle are all common finds.
Signs of a fruit fly infestation
- Clouds of tiny flies hovering over fruit, the garbage or the compost.
- Flies gathering at sinks, recycling bins and spilled drinks.
- Tiny larvae in soft, over-ripe fruit or in sticky, damp residue.
- Flies that come back within hours after you swat them.
Are fruit flies harmful? Do fruit flies bite?
Fruit flies do not bite. They are a food hygiene nuisance rather than a danger, since they walk over waste and fermenting food and then over your food. They do not damage the house, but discard any food they have been laying eggs in, and cover the rest.
Fruit flies breed inside your trap as well. If you use a homemade vinegar trap, empty and clean it regularly, or it becomes another breeding site.
Homemade fruit fly traps that work
A simple trap does two jobs: it tells you how bad the problem is and it catches adults while you fix the source. Fill a small bowl or glass with something fruity and fermented, such as cider vinegar, balsamic vinegar or a splash of wine. Add a drop of dish soap so the flies cannot lift off once they land, then cover the container with plastic wrap and poke a few small holes in it, so the flies can get in but have trouble getting out. Label it so nobody drinks it. Empty and refresh it often, because flies will breed in the trap if you leave it.
Common myths about fruit flies
- "They come from nowhere." They come from eggs that were already on the fruit, or from flies that flew in.
- "A tight screen will stop them." They can get into almost anything, so removing their food and breeding places works better than trying to lock them out.
- "They only live on fruit." They also breed in sugary drink spills, compost, and damp, sticky messes.
- "Spraying the air fixes it." A spray kills the flies in the air. It does nothing about the eggs and larvae in the source.
How to get rid of fruit flies yourself
- Remove their food. Put ripe fruit, tomatoes, onions, garlic and even bread in the refrigerator until the flies are gone, and store potatoes in a paper bag.
- Empty and wash the bins. Take out garbage and compost every day, wash the inside and outside of the can, and keep compost tightly sealed.
- Cut off moisture. Dry sinks and counters, fix leaks, and clean sticky spills and drips.
- Set a trap. A small bowl of vinegar covered with plastic wrap with a few holes in it lets flies in and makes it hard for them to leave. Clean it out often.
- Freeze food waste for worm bins. Freezing kills fruit fly larvae.
- Keep houseplants separate if they have gnats, since the small flies are often confused.
- Do not fill weep holes or vents with sealant, foam or mortar. The wall is hollow, and these openings let moisture and warm air out. Blocking them solid traps moisture in the wall and can lead to mould. Breathable mesh over them keeps pests out while the wall can still breathe.
How AstraHive Pest Control gets rid of fruit flies
Fruit flies are a source problem. There is a food, a bin or a damp spot breeding them, and the treatment is finding it.
How an AstraHive fruit flies treatment works
Inspect and find the source
We inspect the kitchen, pantry, bins, compost, drains, recycling and the damp corners under sinks and appliances to find every breeding site.
Remove the source
We show you what to clear, clean or throw out, including bins, drains and hidden spills, so the flies have nothing to breed in.
Treat inside only when needed
If a large number of flies are already through the house, we add an interior treatment, applied according to the label and kept away from food and food-preparation surfaces.
Back it with a 90-day warranty
If fruit flies come back within 90 days, we re-treat at no charge.
Our products are Health Canada approved and safe for kids and pets, and we apply every product according to its label. AstraHive is licensed by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. Ontario requires a ministry-approved certification course before it issues an exterminator licence, and that training is delivered through the University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus.
Fruit fly control in Ontario: when to call an exterminator
Most fruit fly problems clear up within a couple of weeks once the food and moisture are dealt with. It is worth calling a licensed pest control company when the flies keep coming back after a thorough clean-up, when you cannot find the breeding site, when they are in several rooms, or when you run a kitchen or food business.
Why Choose AstraHive
- Licensed & Insured: Certified by the Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks.
- Fast response: Same-day service available, with a callback within 5 minutes.
- 90-Day Warranty: If pests come back within that window, we re-treat at no additional charge.
- Proven track record: 5.0 stars on Google across 200+ reviews.
- Family & pet safe: Health Canada approved products on every job.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get rid of fruit flies?
Remove what they breed in. Refrigerate ripe produce, take out garbage and compost daily, wash the bins, dry sinks and clean spills. Set a covered vinegar trap and empty it often. If they persist, look for a hidden source such as a damp drain or a forgotten piece of fruit.
Where do fruit flies come from?
They arrive as eggs on fruit and vegetables you bring home, or fly in through gaps, screens and open doors, especially in late summer and fall. They breed in moist, spoiling food and in compost and garbage.
What do fruit flies look like?
They are about 2 to 3 mm long, brown to yellowish, with red eyes and clear wings. Their larvae are pale and translucent and live in the food.
Do fruit flies bite?
No. They do not bite, but they can spread contamination from waste to food, so discard food they have laid eggs in.
What is the difference between fruit flies and fungus gnats?
Fruit flies are tan with red eyes and breed in ripe or rotting food. Fungus gnats are darker, with long legs and a Y-shaped wing vein, and they breed in damp potting soil.
Do I need a fruit fly exterminator?
Not for a small problem. Call one if the flies keep returning after a clean-up, if you cannot find the source, or if you run a food business.
Sources
- CBC News: Here's how to deal with all those fruit flies (Calgary, 2018) — One fruit fly can lay 400 to 500 eggs; adults live three to four weeks; eggs on moist surfaces; keep produce in the fridge until flies are gone; wash bins; seal compost.
- CBC News: Fruit flies and how to get rid of them in your home (British Columbia, 2015) — Fruit flies are strong fliers drawn to moist areas and overripe fruit; compost and bins; empty bins daily; traps must be cleaned because flies breed in them; remove moisture.
- University of Saskatchewan: Gardening at USask, Fungus gnats — Fungus gnats are about 3 mm, dark, long-legged, with clear wings and a Y-shaped vein; up to 200 eggs in potting soil; life cycle about four weeks; adults harmless and do not feed; larvae about 6 mm with a shiny black head live in the top 5 to 7 mm of moist soil; let soil dry; freezer kills fruit fly larvae in food waste.
- Ontario.ca: Pesticide licences and permits — Ontario's Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks issues exterminator licences after a ministry-approved certification course, delivered through the University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus.
- UC Statewide IPM Program: Fruit Flies — Vinegar or pomace flies are 2 to 3 mm, brown to yellowish with red eyes; larvae pale and translucent; found in and near damaged fruit.
Areas We Serve
AstraHive Pest Control proudly serves 75+ communities across the following regions:
- Toronto: Toronto, North York, Scarborough, Etobicoke, East York, York, Leslieville, Lakeview
- Durham Region: Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax, Pickering, Clarington, Bowmanville, Courtice, Newcastle, Port Perry, Brooklin, Uxbridge, Scugog, Brock, Seaton
- York Region: Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill, Aurora, Newmarket, Thornhill, Woodbridge, Kleinburg, Maple, Stouffville, Unionville, Keswick, Holland Landing, East Gwillimbury, Georgina, King City, King Township, Nobleton, Berczy Village, Cathedraltown, Commerce Valley, Cornell, Wismer, Whitchurch-Stouffville, Sutton, Schomberg
- Peel Region: Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon, Malton, Port Credit, Streetsville, Meadowvale, Cooksville, Bolton, Palgrave
- Extended Service Area: Peterborough, Lindsay, Port Hope, Barrie, Bradford, Innisfil, Collingwood, Wasaga Beach, Orillia, Burlington, Oakville, Milton, Hamilton, Grimsby, St. Catharines, Welland, Niagara Falls
Don't see your city listed? Call us — we likely cover it.
Got a pest problem right now?
Call AstraHive for a free consultation. Licensed & insured, serving the GTA, Durham, York, Peel and Simcoe County.
Call 905-925-84275.0 Stars — 200+ Google Reviews | Licensed & Insured | Health Canada Approved