No, fruit flies can\u2019t bite humans as they lack teeth or mandibles. These pests consume their food by producing saliva that breaks it down, and then they suck up the liquid paste. As such, they can’t pierce human skin.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, they are dangerous pests that pose a (small) health risk to you and your family due to their potential to spread disease. There is a lot to understand about fruit flies, and today, we are going to look at some important factors including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Do fruit flies bite?<\/li>
- Are fruit flies dangerous? <\/li>
- How to manage fruit flies in your home?<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nDo Fruit Flies Bite?\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/pestqueen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/34549052_fruit-fly-on-a-blade-of-grass-in-the-meadow-e1662560270270-1024x680.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nNo, fruit flies do not bite, neither humans nor anything else.
The best way to prove this is when you squash a fruit fly, there are no traces of any blood. <\/p>\n\n\n\nInstead, they produce saliva that contains lipids that break down food. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
These flies are toothless and consume ripened fruit and fermented sugar in beer and other beverages. When the food has been broken down into liquid form, they use their mouthparts to suck in the nutrients like a mosquito sucks blood.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, numerous reports have been made by people claiming to have been bitten by these pests. So what’s the deal?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fruit flies can leave bite-like marks when they come into contact with the skin as a result of your skin reacting to the substances fruit flies deposit on it.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fruit flies can leave bite-like marks when they come into contact with the skin as a result of your skin reacting to the substances fruit flies deposit on it.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The bite marks look similar to mosquito bites, which is how the myth that fruit flies bite came to be. Fortunately, these bumps are pretty minor. And if your skin reacts to these pests, do not panic, as the reaction is not dangerous. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, it is a good idea to clean the area to prevent any potential spread of bacteria.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nAre Fruit Flies Dangerous? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Fruit flies are not considered dangerous, even when ingested (we all certainly do it from time to time, whether we know it or not!) <\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, fruit flies are <\/em>dangerous in that they are known to carry bacteria that can cause food-borne diseases and illnesses<\/a>. That said, they are likely less dangerous than a typical housefly, so don’t panic here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These insects pick up bacteria as they hover around decaying matter, causing a potential health concern. The common side effects of this contamination are diarrhea and dysentery.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here are potential ways fruit flies pose a threat to humans: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. They carry disease-causing bacteria <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The flies are known for hovering around drains and other dirty spots collecting bacteria (if you’ve got fruit flies or drain flies, don’t use bleach<\/a>. Instead, use boiling water). Their hairy bodies make it easier to transport the microorganisms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If they get into your home, they can contaminate your food and the surface you use when cooking, and they can even get into your fridge<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. They breed quickly <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Fruit flies are a problem all year round, partly due to their breeding nature. The females lay up to 2,000 eggs! And once they hatch, they can multiply significantly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once they mature, they mate after three days, thus repeating the cycle. Their fast life cycle is what makes them a menace to any living space.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. They destroy gardens <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If you have a garden at home where you grow fruit and vegetables, the last thing you want is a fruit fly. These flies attack your fruit, and the damage can become significant if the infestation is massive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This becomes worse for commercial producers since their harvest becomes unsellable.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These are the main ways fruit flies can be dangerous. Their unsanitary habits and filthy bodies act as agents for disease-causing bacteria. However, they are less harmful when compared to houseflies, known for causing cholera, typhoid fever, and many other diseases. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nHow to Deal With Fruit Flies in Your Home?\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Fruit flies are tiny insects that breed quickly and can be a terror in your home. Therefore, it is best to learn how to deal with a fruit fly explosion.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How to Identify Fruit Flies\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Fruit flies are easy to spot since you can see them flying around. They are about 1\/10 of an inch and have yellow-brown bodies and red eyes. it is easy to distinguish them from common houseflies, as they are much smaller.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is common to find them flying around fruit, vegetables, garbage spots, and drains.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nHow to Get Rid of Fruit Flies? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The best methods to eliminate the flies involve preventing future infestation by stopping them from breeding and multiplying. Here are three ways to ensure you kill the flies and cut their food and water supply. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Eliminating Their Source of Food <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The best way to kill even the smallest fruit fly is to eliminate their food source. The first step is to identify all potential sources. This means that you’ll have to store your fruit and vegetables properly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also, don’t forget they like the sugar content in beer, soda, and juice stores in cans. The fridge is one of the best places to store food and cans. After that, clean all surfaces, and remove and correctly dispose of garbage.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The best way to kill even the smallest fruit fly is to eliminate their food source.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Use Fly Traps <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Get a fly trap if you have an infestation and you want an instant control measure. These traps give off a scent that will attract fruit flies. Once they land in the pitfall, the glue content immobilizes them instantly, leading to their death. Flies that get away have trouble flying, reducing their presence in your home. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is easy to get fly traps, and they are versatile; moving them to your kitchen counter or areas where you can see fruit flies flying around is easy. However, this measure doesn’t affect the larvae or eggs that have already been laid. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. Use Sprays <\/h3>\n\n\n\n