Question: Please help me find the right way to get rid of multiple "fruit flies" that are flying around my bedroom, bathrooms and kitchen. I am really grossed out by this! Just the right spray and instructions if you could?

Answer  What you have is probably one of the two common species of fruit flies. They are the small brown flies that may be hovering in the kitchen or in the food pantry or closet . Check those potatoes for any rotten ones at the bottom. These flies are active nearly year round, but more so in the summer and fall.

The common fruit flies are light brown in color and with red eyes. They are attracted to and breed in over-ripe fruit and vegetables. In houses they are usually found in the kitchen, and sometimes around the sink or garbage container. They are attracted to the odors that come from the disposal or material in the sink or garbage.

^{Fruit Fly Illustration}

The dark brown fruit fly (without red eyes) is also common in houses. This species breeds in decaying organic material and even in animal feces. Check the fruit for red-eye fruit flies and decaying material for dark-eye fruit flies.

Control of these flies begins with removing the breeding material. This will stop the breeding but would not get the adults, since the adults can live for a week or so.

You can remove the adults from the house by placing some vinegar (or wine) in a shallow pan. Place the pan near where the adults have been seen. They will be attracted to the liquid and some will become trapped. The remainder will be around the pan, so you can use an aerosol insecticide to get those. Read more about Fruit Fly Control

More Fruit Fly Information:

• Fruit Life Cycle
• Fruit Fly Eggs
• Fruit Fly Larvae
• Fruit Fly Pupae
• Fruit Fly Metamorphosis
• Fruit Fly Reproduction Rates Data
• Fruit Fly Food
• Fruit Flies in Bananas
• Fruit Fly Feeding Habits
• Fruit Fly Genetics
• Biology of Fruit Flies
• Fruit Fly Length of Memory

Related Questions:
The Orkin Man used the information above to also answer the following questions submitted by Orkin.com users.

• Question: I been noticing Fruit Flies in my kitchen. I am not sure what brought them in, but how do I get rid of them?
• Question: Please help me find the right way to get rid of multiple "fruit flies" that are flying around my bedroom, bathrooms and kitchen. I am really grossed out by this! Just the right spray and instructions if you could?
• Question: How do you kill fruit flies?
• Question: I have gnat-sized flying insects that appear at night when I turn on a lamp. They attach to the inside of the lamp shade. They appear to be slightly red in color. Any idea what they could be?
• Question: I have a fruit fly problem but have very little money. Every time I think there gone they appear again. I used to work at nursing home where a pest company had some stuff that we dumped down the drain. I think that might be what I need. Please help.
• Question:We've recently been infested with fruit flies. We've owned this house for 4 years, and had never had a problem until a month and a half ago. We've taken all garbage outside, closed all closable drains, and put out home-made traps (cider vinegar mixed with soap in bowls covered with cellophane with a small hole). The traps are effective, but the flies don't go away.

  Answer:The adults will live for about three weeks, so if you have removed the source, the adults may still hang around. Check to make certain that there is not a stray potato, an apple, or something that has gotten loose and rolled where you can't see it....if this problem has gone on for as long as you say, there must be a breeding site somewhere in the house

• Question: I was wondering how to get rid of fruit flies - I was told that you can pour a 1/4 cup of bleach down the drain. I have tried that and still no luck. Do you have any other suggestions?
• Question: Can dogs be infested with fruit flies? We have a fruit fly problem in our house but I also noticed my dogs have the black "flea dirt" on them which is adult flea fecal matter. I found two things on one of my dogs this morning which I thought was a flea but it had wings. This was in the bathroom when I was in the shower and I also noticed "fruit flies" flying around in the bathroom. Then I noticed the two flea like creatures on my dog. Just curious if they are fruit flies on my dogs or fleas?

  Answer: They would be fleas and not fruit flies.

• Question: I have Orkin service...I am being bombarded with these little annoying flies in my kitchen, I have no idea where they are coming from. Is this something you treat or can you give me an idea on what to do?
• Question: How do we get rid of fruit flies in a restaurant? No matter how much we clean we cannot get rid of them. We have set up traps and everything. Please help.

  Question: You'll have to do a thorough inspection and clean-up; if this is a persistent problem there is a breeding site somewhere (decaying fruit or vegetable). They may be coming from outside, but most likely inside.

• Question: How do I get rid of fruit flies? I have no fermented fruit. I've cleaned the kitchen drain. I dispose of fruit peelings, etc immediately. I've tried sprays but nothing seems to work. What can I do? I live in an apartment.