Pest Identification And Information

Small Flies

Fruit Fly (Drosophilidae)

IDENTIFICATION:

Fruit Flies are small, about 1/8 inch in length, including wings. The head and thorax are tan with the abdomen somewhat darker. They have distinctive bright “red” eyes in most species, and the wings have two “breaks” in their leading edge near the body.

BIOLOGY:

Will deposit 100’s of eggs near the surface of fermenting fruit or other organic matter. They hatch into larva in 1 - 2 days. After feeding for about 5 - 6 days, they will crawl to drier areas of the food source or even out of the food source to pupate for about 2 days before emerging as an adult. The egg to adult life cycle can be as little as 8 days, under ideal conditions. The sudden appearance of large populations is not uncommon inside buildings.

HABITS:

You will find Fruit Flies hovering near the fermenting food source (this would include: fruits, vegetables, sour mops, trash/garbage containers, under kitchen appliances, drains, cracks in the floor etc).

SOLUTIONS:

The best method for eliminating an infestation of Fruit Flies is to find and remove all actual and potential breeding sources. This can be difficult, and will require a joint effort by both the client and the pest control professional.

The use of flying insect traps can be utilized for population reduction and/or monitoring. Bait these traps with over-ripe bananas, stale beer with a few drops of vinegar, or bread soaked in stale beer.

Often the source is decaying organic material in floor drains and service drains.  We recommend using ADAM'S Bioremediation Service where we treat the drains with friendly bacteria that actually eat the organic material and convert it into water and carbon dioxide.  Harsh cleaners or enzymes may damage the plumbing or cause blockage as the enzymes cool or dilute.

Moth (Drain) Fly

IDENTIFICATION:

Moth Flies or Drain Flies are small about 1/8 inch in length, including wings. They are black except for 1 specie, which is brown. The distinctive identification feature is the unique pattern of veins in its wings. The entire body and wings are covered with tiny hairs, giving it a “moth-like” or “fuzzy” appearance.

BIOLOGY:

Eggs are laid on the surface of the gelatinous film inside a drain or on top of decaying organic matter. The larva hatch within 48 hours. The larvae breathe by extending a tube through the gelatinous film that they are feeding on. The larvae feed for about 15 days before pupation, which is short. The life cycle, egg to adult, can be as little as 8 days, or as much as 24 days depending on the temperature.

HABITS:

Can be a major pest in food processing and health care facilities. Primarily breed in drains where they may come in contact with disease carrying bacteria, which could result in these organisms being carried onto food products or into sterile areas in hospitals. They are weak fliers and can be seen crawling on walls or other surfaces indoors. Their flight pattern has characteristic short, jerky lines. They sometimes can be seen hovering above the drains they are infesting.

SOLUTIONS:

The best method for eliminating an infestation of Moth Flies is to find and remove all actual and potential breeding sources. This can be difficult, and will require a joint effort by both the client and the pest control professional.

Visually inspect suspected drains for infestations or tape plastic bags over the drains and inspect on the following day to determine which drains are infested.

The regular cleaning of floor drains is crucial to preventing infestations of Moth Flies and other flies. Hot water and/or bleach will NOT eliminate fly larvae from breeding in the drains, the gelatinous film of organic matter which lines the drain is where the larvae live and must be removed. This can be accomplished by using a stiff brush and industrial strength drain cleaner (preferably with enzyme activity). Water can then be used to flush the drain completely. We recommend using ADAM'S Bioremediation Service where we treat the drains with friendly bacteria that actually eat the organic material and convert it into water and carbon dioxide.  Harsh cleaners or enzymes may damage the plumbing or cause blockage as the enzymes cool or dilute.

Dark Winged Fungus Gnat

IDENTIFICATION:

Fungus Gnats are small about 1/16 inch in length, with very long legs and long, thin wings. Most species are black. The Dark-Winged Fungus Gnat’s wings are dusky-gray with a “tuning fork” veination in its wings.

BIOLOGY:

Little is known about the details of the Fungus Gnat’s life cycle. The larvae feed on fungus growing in overly moist soil associated with potted plants or organic matter. The adult flies lay their eggs in such material. After a short period of time the eggs hatch into larvae, which feeds on the fungus, and then pupate and emerge as adults a few days later and start the cycle over again.

HABITS:

Indoor infestations of Fungus Gnats are almost always connected with the soil of potted plants or atriums. When the plants in these areas are over watered, the conditions in which Fungus Gnats can breed and survive are created. When the fungi on which the larvae feed is present, then an infestation could occur. The presence of Fungus Gnats flying around the plants is an indication of an infestation (the larvae are very difficult to find).

If no planters or atrium areas are found to be breeding sources, they could be entering from the outside. Fungus Gnats are attracted to light; so exterior lighting may be attracting them to the structure.

If there is a water leak in crawl spaces, attics or any other areas in which fungus may grow, a Fungus Gnat infestation may occur.

SOLUTIONS:

The best method for eliminating an infestation of Fungus Gnats is to find and remove all actual and potential breeding sources, or change the conditions that allow the Gnats to breed. This can be difficult, and will require a joint effort by both the client and the pest control professional.

The application of residual insecticides inside is rarely, if ever necessary. Space treatments may be utilized to eliminate adult Fungus Gnats —only after the breeding sites have been eliminated or corrected.

Humpbacked (Phorid) Fly

IDENTIFICATION:

Humpbacked (Phorid) Flies are small, about 1/8 inch in length, including wings. They are usually tan to dark brown in color. The key identification point is the severe arch or humpbacked shape of its thorax compared to its small head. Often confused with the Fruit Fly, but lacks the red eyes. Their wings have two characteristic dark veins at the top the wing; the other veins are weak with no crossing veins.

BIOLOGY:

Tiny eggs are deposited on or near the surface of decaying organic matter. About 20 eggs are laid at a time with 40 eggs being laid in 12 hours. Larvae emerge in 24 hours and feed for about 8-16 days depending on the food source and temperature. The larvae then crawl to a drier spot to pupate. Egg to adult life cycle can be as little as 14 days or as long as 37 days.

HABITS:

When disturbed, these flies have a peculiar habit of running rapidly along surfaces instead of instantly flying away.

Can be a serious pest of food processing and health care facilities. They primarily breed in drains where they may come in contact with disease carrying bacteria, which could result in these organisms being carried onto food products or into sterile areas in hospitals. They have been found in open wounds of patients.

SOLUTIONS:

The best method for eliminating an infestation of Humpbacked Flies is to find and remove the breeding sources. This can be difficult, and will require a joint effort by both the client and the pest control professional.  Often the source is decaying organic material in floor drains.  We recommend using ADAM'S Bioremediation Service where we treat the drains with friendly bacteria that actually eat the organic material and convert it into water and carbon dioxide.  Harsh cleaners or enzymes may damage the plumbing or cause blockage as the enzymes cool or dilute.