Can Fruit Flies Eat You?
WouterIn the North American continent, fruit flies are not considered a serious threat to human health. However, in some parts of the world, they can transmit disease-causing organisms and bacteria. In these areas, preventing fruit flies infestations is important for food safety. The best way to prevent fruit flies is to discard overripe fruits and vegetables as soon as possible. Trashcans are also a favorite home for fruit flies, so keep them cleaned regularly.
Fruit flies feed on decayed organic matter, ripe fruit, and fermented liquids. Although they don’t have wings, they are parasitic. Because they do not feed on blood, they do not bite humans. They also do not feed on animal feces or dead insects.
Although they can be disgusting, fruit flies should not be eaten. They are not harmful to humans and can only be a nuisance. The larvae of the fruit flies are known to carry bacteria like E. coli and listeria, which can cause serious illness. If you accidentally eat fruit flies, it’s important to wash your hands thoroughly afterward. Maggots can also carry salmonella and lead to bacterial infections.
The female of the fruit fly lays approximately 500 eggs. The larvae hatch after twenty-four hours and feed on decaying organic material for up to four days. When the larvae have grown up, they squirm away from their nursery and encase themselves as pupae. They eventually emerge as adult fruit flies.
