Can Fruit Flies Cause Maggots in Fruit?
WouterIf you’ve ever had the displeasure of finding maggots in your fruit, you know just how gross it can be. The insects, called fruit flies, carry bacteria, such as E. coli and listeria, which can lead to food poisoning. In severe cases, you can end up in the hospital. Maggots are also harmful to your health, as they can contain salmonella and other diseases. This is why you should always check your fruit before eating it.
The first step in eliminating fruit flies from your home is to keep fruit out of reach of children and pets. Fruit flies prefer to eat ripened fruit and vegetables. So, make sure to keep them in the refrigerator until you’re ready to eat them. In addition, remember to clean off any spills of fruit juices and other fruit products so that they don’t attract fruit flies.
Another step in controlling fruit flies is using an insecticide. A professional-grade insecticide called Flex 10-10 is effective in killing the larvae and pupae of fruit flies. This insecticide is also safe to use around ornamental plants. You should use this product at a rate of one gallon per 1,500 sq. ft.
Once the larvae have finished feeding and developing, they transform into pupae. After a few days, the adult fruit flies emerge. They then mate with multiple males and store sperm for future reproduction. Female fruit flies lay multiple batches of eggs during their life cycle, while males tend to reproduce more quickly.
