There is nothing more annoying than tiny flies invading your home. Are they fruit flies, gnats, mayflies, fungus gnats, or something else? With the naked eye, it can be hard to tell!
All fruit flies are gnats, which is a generic term that includes mayflies, fruitflies, some black flies, and fungus gnats.
In this article, we’re going to zoom in on fruit flies vs fungus gnats to help you figure out which you have and what to do about the infestation.
If you can find one that stays still for a moment, you actually can tell the difference with the naked eye.
- Fruit flies look like tiny houseflies, with red eyes.
- Fungus gnats look like tiny mosquitoes, with relatively long legs and thin bodies.
In this article, we’ll go over how fungus gnats and fruit flies differ, where you will find fruit flies and fungus gnats, and how to effectively eradicate your home of both gnats and fruit flies.
Let’s dive in!
Fungus Gnats vs Fruit Flies
There is a common misconception that fruit flies and fungus gnats are the same. While they are both pests that fly around in your home, attacking your plants and fruit bowl and causing much anguish, there are several significant differences between the two.Â
Let’s take a brief look at the difference between these flying critters based on their appearance:
1. Fruit Fly Appearance
One of the biggest differences between a fruit fly and a fungus gnat can be determined by looking at their eyes.
If you can see the eyes on the flying critter, it is more than likely a fruit fly. Fruit flies differ in appearance from fungus gnats and are tan to black in color.
Their bodies, though small, are rounded in shape, and they resemble small house flies.Â
2. Fungus Gnat Appearance
Fungus gnats resemble a mosquito, though they are much smaller. They are light grey to black in color and have long, slim legs.
Gnats have small eyes that are not visible to the naked eye, and this trait makes them easily identifiable.Â
Habitat and Food Habits of Fruit Flies and Fungus Gnats
Fruit flies and fungus gnats prefer different food sources, which is also a great way to tell them apart.
While fruit flies prefer – as their name suggests – fruits and fruit nectars, gnats are more commonly found in the soil and feed on indoor or outdoor plants.
But it’s not always that clear, because fruit flies will sometimes infest houseplants, particularly citrus plants.
Let’s look at the most common places you will find fruit flies and fungus gnats.Â
Fruit flies and fungus gnats prefer different food sources.
1. Fruit Flies Habitats and Feeding Grounds
The most common places you will find fruit flies are:
- Around your fruit bowl or kitchen counter
- In your compost bin or garbage can
- In your cat’s food
- In the beer or wine you’re brewing
- In your kitchen or bathroom drain.
Fruit flies are attracted to any slightly overripe or rotting fruit and will lay eggs in and on your fruit while feeding on these fruits.Â
As fruit fly larvae tend to feed on the juices disposed of in sinks and even trash cans, you may also find their larvae in your drains.
While it’s possible to get sick from fruit flies, it’s unlikely. They’re not usually a hazard, but they’re gross, and you don’t want them buzzing around your kitchen near your food!
Fruit flies do not typically attack plants, but they may in some cases. Small flying insects found in or around your pot plants are more likely to be fungus gnats, unless the plant is a citrus plant.Â
2. Fungus Gnat Habitats and Feeding Grounds
Fungus gnats differ from fruit flies because they prefer the organic materials found in plants. If you have an indoor plant that is suddenly attracting small flies, particularly in the soil around the plant, chances are quite high that you have a fungus gnat infestation.Â
If you have an indoor plant that is suddenly attracting small flies, particularly in the soil around the plant, chances are quite high that you have a fungus gnat infestation.Â
Fungus gnat mommas lay their eggs in damp soil. Once the larvae hatch, they will feed on the roots of your plants, causing damage and possibly killing the plant.
These frustrating critters can also be found in soil in the garden and thrive in damp environments outside as well.Â
Fungus gnats have no interest in fruit and will not try to eat or lay eggs in your fruit bowl.
Eliminating Fungus Gnats and Fruit Flies
Eliminating fruit flies and fungus gnats from your home quickly is necessary to prevent an infestation. These bugs reproduce quickly, so it’s important to get them under control.
We have a few more tips on how to eliminate and possibly prevent an infestation in your home effectively.
Fruit fly elimination and prevention tips:
- Store your fruits and veggies in the fridge
- For fruits that shouldn’t be stored in the fridge, rinse the fruit thoroughly or use a fruit and vegetable cleaner before placing them in a fruit bowl
- Monitor your fruit for decay, and throw your fruit out before it rots
- Use a DIY fruit fly trap (Read on to find out how to make a successful one)
- Clean and sanitize your garbage and compost bin can regularly, including the lid
Fungus gnat elimination and prevention tips:
- Fungus gnats thrive in damp soil, so check to make sure the top layer of soil is completely dry before watering plants. Your plants will thank you, regardless!
- Avoid overwatering plants
- Use a natural pesticide that is safe for indoor use
- Place yellow sticky traps in your indoor plants to remove the adult fungus gnats (these can be store-bought, or you can make some of your own using popsicle sticks or cardboard strips and petroleum jelly)
- Spray your plants regularly with a homemade solution of soap, water, and balsamic vinegar
DIY Fruit Fly Trap
If you can’t get to the store to buy pesticides or sticky strips to get rid of fruit flies and fungus gnats, you can make your own. Here’s how:
What you’ll need:
- An empty container, ideally with a lid you can poke holes in
- Balsamic or apple cider vinegar (sweet vinegar works best)
- Dish soap
- A piece of saran wrap or plastic wrap
- A rubber band or duct tape
Step 1:
Clean your container and set up your cover. You can either poke holes in a lid to allow fruit flies in, or use saran wrap and an elastic.
Step 2:
Pour a quarter cup or so of vinegar and a teaspoon of dish soap into the container.
Step 3:
Mix the liquids together and cover the opening of the bottle with your lid or plastic wrap. Secure the plastic onto the bottle with a rubber band or some duct tape.
Step 4:
Make a few small holes in the plastic. The gnats and flies will be able to go through the holes but will have difficulty making their way out because the dish soap will impede their flying.
Conclusion
Fruit flies and fungus gnats are often considered the same. But they are, in fact, completely different bugs in terms of their appearance and what they eat, and you can even tell them apart by sight if you look closely.
Identifying exactly which one you are dealing with is key to eliminating and preventing your home from becoming infested with either of these.Â
Use our prevention tips to ensure your home is safe from fruit flies and fungus gnats, and use our recipe to make your own DIY fruit fly trap.
