Drain Flies - Garrards

THERE IS A ‘CONFUSED FLOUR BEETLE’ BUT THERE ALSO APPEARS TO BE CONFUSION OVER A SMALL FLY -Drosophila spp.

“Drain flies” or “fermentation flies” are accepted coverall names for vinegar fly, phorid fly and moth fly (no one fly is called a drain or fermentation fly).

The vinegar fly, Drosophila spp (sometimes called the common fruit fly) should not be confused with flies belonging to the family Tephritidae which are the fruit flies that are economic pests in fruit production, such as the Queensland fruit fly, Bactrocera tryoni.

Vinegar Fly
Vinegar flies are a common nuisance pest in restaurants, supermarkets, fruiterers, canneries, homes and other locations that may attract these insects with fermenting or rotting vegetative matter. Vinegar flies are found mostly in over ripened fruit and vegetable matter.

Biology of Vinegar fly
The larvae feed primarily on the yeast found in fermenting and liquefying items. Over ripe tomatoes, bananas and rotting potatoes and onions are commonly infested. The liquid that remains in the bottom of beer cans held for recycling can also support vinegar fly larvae. Flies will breed in any soured, decaying substance such as wet mops and accumulations of food particles behind, or underneath kitchen equipment. Drains have a generous gelatinous growth of scum; can also support an infestation of vinegar fly larvae.
Larvae typically pupate outside of the food source after feeding for about one week or slightly less. The adult flies emerge in several says and become sexually active within two days. The entire life cycle is complete in 8 days.

Control
There is no single ‘quick’ fix for permanent control. Inspection to find the sources of infestation and then removing or treating it will give the best results. Promoting good hygiene practices along with use of sprays (targeted and/or with attractants), lures and glue-board fly lights should be considered. Simply placing a lure to attract adults will remove some flies from the system but will not solve the problem long-term.

Products:

Lures & Traps

Russell Fly and Wasp Traps + Liquid Lure