Sometimes winter also has its good sides. One of them is that we are no longer so inundated with insects. Unfortunately, fruit flies can also be seen in the cold time of the year. When prevention fails, effective control is required.
Why are there fruit flies in winter?
Fruit flies are rarely confronted with freezing cold and therefore do not fall into hibernation like many other insect species. Theypractically live in roomsthat arepleasantly warm even in winter. However, it is too cold in winter for a large population.
How can I avoid fruit flies in winter?
Like fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster), we humans also love warmth. That's why our rooms are an inviting place for these insects to stay, even in winter. But warmth alone doesn't attract fruit flies; they also have to find a way into our home and enough food. This is where the measures to prevent fruit flies come in:
- no ripe fruit in the fruit bowl store
- A closed container in the refrigerator is ideal
- Wash fruit thoroughly beforehand (remove eggs)
- Don’t leave leftover food and drinks out in the open
- Close the waste bin with the lid
- Take out trash daily
- Clean the drain regularly
How to build a fruit fly trap?
To catch a lot of fruit flies you need a sweet liquid as an attractant. Mixfruit juice with apple cider vinegarand dissolve a few teaspoons ofsugarin it. It is important that you finally spread a fewsplashes of dish soap on it. The dishwashing liquid will destroy the surface tension of the liquid. This causes the attracted fruit flies to sink into the trap and drown.
How long do fruit flies live in winter?
The lifespan of male fruit flies is about10 daysFemale fruit flies can live up to40 days. The decisive factor for the lifespan is not the time of year outside, but the actual room temperature. A fruit fly infestation is due not only to the long lifespan of the insects, but also to their ability to reproduce early. Each female also lays up to 400 eggs.
Do I have to fight fruit flies immediately?
No, but it makes sense Fruit flies, often also called fruit flies or vinegar flies, do not bite or sting and do not transmit diseases. They are harmless to humans and animals, even if they accidentally swallow some specimens. But there are three reasons for combating them: They are annoying and, for many, disgusting, they cause fruit to spoil more quickly and they multiply rapidly.
Tip
Enhance the attraction of a fruit fly trap with the color yellow
Yellow attracts fruit flies more than other colors. To achieve faster catching success, use yellow juice and yellow peel for your homemade fly trap if possible.
