When flies are buzzing around, you probably don’t take too close of a look. You just want them away from you. However, you may wonder if they’re fruit flies or gnats. Fruit flies and gnats are both tiny insects that annoy a lot of people but are completely different.

Physical Differences Between a Fruit Fly, Eye Gnats & Fungus Gnats

You probably will not get close enough to a gnat or fruit fly that’s bothering you to notice that they don’t all look exactly the same. Mature fruit flies are generally beige or brownish-orange color and roughly 1/8th of an inch long. Eye gnats are usually glossy and black and around 1/16th of an inch long. Fungus gnats are generally deep gray or black. When they reach maturity, they are usually about 1/8 of an inch long.

Where Are Fruit Flies & Gnats Found?

The fruit fly species are found across the globe. They can live up to 30 days and reproduce very quickly. Fruit flies are the ones that you usually see in the kitchen. They are found in warm and wet areas with airflow. They are named fruit flies because they invade fruits and vegetables and are prevalent at the end of the summer and during the fall season. They are particularly fond of mature fruit. If you’re outside and find yourself waving your hands around you, chances are you’re dealing with gnats, rather than fruit flies. Gnats are generally found outdoors. Fungus gnats will be found in moist outdoor soil and will spend a lot of time in rotting organic matter, so you may see them near compost piles. They may find their way inside and find an area to breed. Eye gnats, like fungus gnats, live outside.

Gnat or Fruit Fly Infestation Prevention

If you see little pests flying around, chances are you have an infestation somewhere. Getting rid of fruit flies in your home is very difficult. Regularly wiping counters, cleaning spills and emptying your trash cans help to prevent fruit fly infestations. After you have located the breeding ground, other fly control methods can be added. Eradication may require several treatments and the absence of food for them will eventually cause them to die out. You will also need to locate the food source with gnats. Correct any problems and prevent fruit from exposed, open air. Keeping food stored in the refrigerator protects it from gnats and will also keep your fruit from spoiling sooner.

Fruit Fly & Gnat Control

Fruit flies can carry diseases, bacteria, and viruses and they enjoy rotting food. Females of some species of gnats feed on blood and have been known to carry parasites and spread diseases to humans. Not only are these pests extremely annoying, but they can also be harmful to your health. Most at-home efforts to eradicate these pests will not properly treat the entire infestation, it’s best to consult a pest control professional. Call Rentokil today.