McCloud Answers
I’m seeing large numbers of tiny flies. What do fruit flies look like?
Fruit flies are very small insects, typically measuring only about 3 to 4 millimeters in length, which can make them difficult to identify. The most distinctive feature of a common fruit fly is its bright, bulging red eyes, though some species may have darker eyes. Their bodies are usually tan or light brown, often with dark transverse bands across the upper abdomen.
If you look closely, you will notice a pair of clear, translucent wings and a somewhat rounded, bulbous body shape. In commercial kitchens, fruit flies can often be confused with fungus gnats. However, their flight pattern and general habitat are usually the biggest clues; fruit flies tend to hover in a slow, circular motion around ripening produce.
In the larval stage, fruit flies appear as tiny, cream-coloured maggots that are often found submerged in the soft parts of decaying fruit or in the biofilm of clogged drains. This is why airtight food storage, properly sealed waste, and thorough cleanliness are essential practices within the food industry.
Because they are so small, a fruit fly infestation can grow unnoticed until dozens of adults are seen swarming around a food source. Recognizing these tiny, red-eyed pests early is the first step in implementing effective sanitation measures to clear them out.
Professional Fly Management
If you think you might be in need of help with professional fly infestation management, our team is on hand. McCloud Services’ No Fly Zone™ program protects health and safety through inspection and control techniques for small flies such as fruit flies.
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