How Do Fruit Flies Lay Eggs?
WouterFruit flies lay eggs on the surface of overripe or rotting fruit and vegetables. Once the eggs hatch, the larvae feed on the decaying matter until they become adults. Once adults emerge, the females leave the food material for areas that are drier. The entire development cycle can take anywhere from eight to ten days. Fruit flies are capable of reproducing up to 500 eggs in a single cycle.
During the winter, adult fruit flies die and their eggs are preserved until spring. This process is called diapause and is the insect equivalent of hibernation. When temperatures fall below zero, a fly’s growth is halted to ensure the species will be prepared for warm weather. In this way, it is possible for the species to survive the winter. In warm weather, the larvae will be ready to hatch in springtime.
Cleaning your kitchen regularly will help prevent fruit flies from breeding. Make sure to take out the garbage regularly and store it in a trash can. Also, keep food scraps in the freezer or compost bin. Clean your kitchen thoroughly at least once a week. If fruit flies are still invading your home, it’s time to take action.
As the population of fruit flies grows, it can become more difficult to eliminate them. While cleaning fruit and vegetables is helpful in eradicating adult fruit flies, preventing egg laying isn’t an easy task. It’s crucial to limit the amount of food and breeding places for fruit flies. It’s also wise to store produce in the refrigerator and keep other pests out of your kitchen.
