You don’t need to be a pestie to have had a run in with fermentation flies. These annoying insects have been wreaking havoc everywhere from homes to grocery stores for decades. Here is a brief look at the 3 most common types of fermentation fly as well as the most effective ways to deal with them.
Vinegar fly (Common fruit fly)
Features
Length: 3 – 4mm
Body colour: Ranges from yellowish brown to dark brown
Eye colour: Most have reddish eyes
Behaviour
Slow flying
Common in late summer
Breed in any moist organic material, such as rotting fruit and gelatinous build up in drains
Larvae feed on yeast found in fermenting materials
Not attracted to UV light, but are attracted to non-UV light sources
Biology
Have a lifespan of between 12 and 33 days depending on the conditions
Females lay approximately 100 eggs in 24 hours
Under ideal conditions it takes 10 days for a vinegar fly to progress from an egg to an adult
Adult flies are sexually active within 12 hours of emerging from pupal stage
Moth Fly (Drain fly)
Features
Length: 3 – 4mm
Body colour: Commonly dark grey or black, but can also be brown
Wings: Light coloured and covered with long hair
Behaviour
Poor flying abilities and often seen running across windows, doors and other flat surfaces
Most active during the evening
Often found in drains, sinks and waste disposal areas
UV sensitive
Biology
Females lay up to 100 eggs per batch in moist, decomposing, organic material
Eggs are laid in the spring and summer and hatch in less than 2 days
Larvae feed on decaying plants and animals
Life cycle ranges between 8 and 24 days
Adults are sexually active almost immediately after emerging from pupal stage
Phorid Fly (Humpback fly)
Features
Length: 0.5 – 5.5mm
Body colour: Most often black or brown though some are yellowish
Arched thorax gives a distinctive humpback appearance
Behaviour
Very strong fliers; can travel up to 10km in 24 hours
Often associated with dead animals and decaying vegetation
Commonly found in drains, garbage containers, recycling bins and near rotting fruit or vegetables
UV sensitive
Biology
Females lay approximately 20 eggs per batch, twice every 12 hours, and can lay up to 500 eggs
Eggs are laid in moist organic material or in standing water
Can breed in a wider variety of materials than most other fermentation flies
Larvae emerge within 24 hours and the life cycle from egg to adult can take between 14 and 37 days
Fly destruction check list
§ Get information from client
§ Inspect the property; check drains, sinks, tiles and any area with moist, organic matter
§ Look for multiple breeding sites
§ Remove rotting vegetables
§ Clear sinks and drains; products containing enzymes or bacteria can be used to break down organic build-up
§ Rinse beer cans and bottles prior to recycling
§ Install small gauge screens to prevent flies from coming inside
§ Clean garbage containers
§ Remove standing water
The only way to successfully get rid of fermentation flies is to take away the conditions that they like to live and breed in. Show those nuisance insects exactly who is boss by hitting them where it hurts!
For more information contact John Rutledge on [email protected] or 02 9647 2111