Do Fruit Flies Bite?

Drosophila Melanogaster

McCloud Answers

We’ve noticed swarms of fruit flies in our kitchen lately. Do fruit flies bite?

No, fruit flies do not have the mouthparts required to bite or sting humans, and they do not feed on blood. Fruit flies are solely interested in the sugary, fermenting liquids found in ripening fruit and organic waste—which is why you may have noticed an increase in activity around foodservice areas.

While they are harmless in terms of biting, fruit flies can still pose a health risk by spreading bacteria from unsanitary surfaces onto food. For commercial food industries such as grocery, hospitality, food packaging, and food distribution, it’s particularly important to quickly eliminate the health threats posed by fruit flies.

If you are experiencing itchy bites, you may actually be dealing with other similar-looking pests, such as gnats or biting midges.

Professional Fly Management

From preventative techniques to fly infestation management, our team is here to help. McCloud Services’ No Fly Zone™ program protects health and safety through inspection and control techniques for small fly and large fly breeding areas.

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