Due to the heat we are experiencing in January, Drosophila Melanogaster or the common fruit fly is breeding in abundance in most homes. This is due to exposed fermenting fruit in kitchen rubbish containers and fruit bowls, and the speed that fruit begins to ferment at this time of the year. Other potential food sources such as empty wine or beer bottles, emit that fermenting smell almost bordering on vinegar are also great places for fruit flies to breed. There is nothing worse than finding these wee pests feeding on a just ripe nectarine or taking a swim in your freshly poured glass of Pinot Noir. Although most insecticides will have an immediate effect on the population, due to the fruit flies rapid breeding habits, it is common to have a re-established population within days of spraying if food sources or harbourages are not removed. For this reason, it is important to begin your treatment with removing the fermenting food sources.

Treatment:

• Insure bins are emptied regularly and free from leaked juices and empty drink bottles.
• Remove fermenting fruit such as bananas, summer fruit and tomatoes etc

Ensure external organic matter such as compost and lawn clippings are removed if seen to be a harbourage The use of Bio Bugs, Bio Foam + Fog or Sumilarv is a great way to ensure we reduce the amount of organic matter in an environment thus reducing the harbourage areas, Key Industries also stock a good selection of fruit fly traps that can be left with the home owner to actively manage their fruit fly problem.

On another note:

Restrictions on fruit and vegetables are currently in place after the discovery of a male Queensland fruit fly in Devonport this week.

Read all about it here