Southern Ontario residents are feeling bugged out by an abundance of tiny flying insects. Dozens of people have responded to a question on the Hamilton Reddit page, r/Hamilton, about fruit flies and midges.
One commenter notes they have to keep their mouth closed while cycling. Another points out the problem is especially pronounced in lower Stoney Creek.
For some answers, we spoke to Marvin Gunderman, a retired instructor of entomology at McMaster University.
WHAT’S BEHIND ALL THE FRUIT FLIES?
Gunderman says that while fruit flies can be found in the home year-round, the summer and fall harvest seasons can lead to a population boom.
“Right now, people are bringing in a lot of fresh produce, like peaches, and this is just fantastic for fruit fly larvae,” Gunderman notes.
Fruit flies are getting in homes because we’re bringing them in, Gunderman adds.
“Because we don’t want overspraying of chemicals on our fruit, we have to put up with the fact that there’s going to be some different larvae,” he says.
Kitchen compost bins can lead to more fruit flies.
“We compost and have a little bin in our kitchen. So we throw in the tomato and fruit ends and then those things aren’t perfectly sealed so the flies will get in there. The next thing you know you have fruit fly larvae and if you let it go long enough, then you will actually make more fruit flies,” says Gunderman.
HOW FRUIT FLIES PROLIFERATE
Female fruit flies lay eggs on the surface of rotting fruits and vegetables. The eggs hatch into larvae that feed on the yeast organisms and fungi. When the larvae are ready to pupate, they leave the food material in search of drier areas. Complete development of fruit flies, from egg to adult, can occur in eight to 10 days.
In the adult stage, fruit flies begin looking for mates. The females lay eggs back onto fruit, which the larva will then feed on.
FRUIT FLIES AREN’T HARMFUL
Gunderman notes that while fruit flies can be annoying, they're also harmless.
“They’re not a health hazard. In fact, it sounds gross but if you ate produce with some fruit fly larvae on it, first of all you wouldn’t even know, and secondly, they’re a good source of protein, so they’re kind of healthy.”
Gunderman adds that fruit flies, like all insects, are an important part of ecosystems.
“If people just knew how harmless they were and understood what they’re here for, it’s all part of the chain of life,” he says.
PREVENTION TIPS
If you’re concerned about fruit fly larvae, Gunderman recommends washing produce when you bring it into your home.
“Just give it a quick wash in case there are larvae you can’t see.”
If fruit flies become a bigger nuisance, a homemade trap could help. Using a mason jar, with some apple cider vinegar and a chunk of fruit like banana or peach, cover the jar with plastic wrap and poke a few holes in the top, so the flies can get in but not out.
For wine drinkers, try leaving about half an inch of red wine in the bottle and place a funnel on top to trap the flies.
MIDGES
Midges are another annoying, but harmless insect common in the spring and fall, Gunderman notes.
While midges don’t bite, they fly in patterns like mosquitoes. Adult midges fly and mate in the air. Females will lay eggs into rotting vegetation. Midge larvae eat organic material and pupate.
But unlike fruit flies, midges won’t be around much longer.
“Midges will run their course within a week. They have a two or three-week cycle in which they’re abundant and then they’re done,” Gunderman says.
Unlike fruit flies, midges won’t get into your home unless you happen to leave the door open, or you have a lot of house plants with damp soil.
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