Can Fruit Flies Be Harmful?
WouterFruit flies can be a nuisance, but they can also be harmful. They are attracted to fruit and can lay eggs inside the human body. The eggs can develop into maggots, which can be a source of gastrointestinal problems. However, most fruit flies do not lay eggs directly on humans. They lay eggs on other insects and objects. When the eggs hatch, they can enter the human body and cause pain and disease.
Fruit flies can also contaminate your food. They carry bacteria such as E. coli and listeria, which can cause food poisoning in some cases. In severe cases, the infection can be life-threatening. People have even been hospitalized and even died from food borne illnesses that were caused by fruit flies. These insects prefer apples, bananas, peaches, and tomatoes.
To reduce the risk of infestation, you should clean fruits and vegetables thoroughly before storing them. It’s best to store fruit in the refrigerator rather than placing it on your countertop. Also, avoid buying over-ripe fruits, which can attract fruit flies. In addition, you should clean your kitchen trash every day to prevent the flies from breeding there.
When consuming fruits, make sure you don’t eat any fruit flies as they may carry dangerous pathogens. Fruit flies are not likely to bite you, but they can feed on your food. If you do accidentally bite one, you can try to throw it out or take it home. If you find fruit flies on your food, make sure you wash your hands thoroughly.
