Almost everyone has had to deal with fruit flies at one time or another. They appear out of nowhere and can be a real nuisance.

But what do you know about them? How long do they live, where do they come from, and what can you do to eliminate them? (So) here’s a closer look at these pesky little creatures.

Did you know that fruit flies can live up to two weeks? That’s a long time for something so small! However, their lifespan is pretty impressive compared to other insects. For example, the common housefly only lives for about two months. 

So, where do these fruit flies come from? Well, they’re attracted to anything sweet or rotting. This means they’re often found near fruits and vegetables starting to rot. They’re also attracted to liquor and wine.

In this blog post, we’ll tell you about how long fruit flies live and what you can do to get rid of them. Keep reading to learn more!

What Do Fruit Flies Look Like?

Fruit flies are tiny insects that are often brown or tan. They have red eyes, and their bodies are just a few millimeters long.

These pests are usually found near fruits and vegetables, as they’re attracted to the sweetness or rot. So if you see a fruit fly, there’s a good chance there are more nearby.

What Is The Life Cycle of a Fruit Fly?

During their lifetime, fruit flies undergo four stages which are:

• Egg
• Larva
• Pupa
• Adult

Fruit flies eggs

The female fruit fly will lay eggs near rotting fruits or vegetables, as the larvae feed on the decaying matter.

Female fruit flies can lay 500 eggs at a time and apply them near food sources. After about 48 hours, the eggs hatch, and the larvae emerge.

Are fruit fly maggots visible to the human eye?

The eggs are tiny and not usually visible to the naked eye. However, if you look closely, you may be able to see them near food sources.

Fruit Flies larvae

Once the larva hatches, it will go through several molts before entering the pupal stage.

The larvae are white and have long, skinny bodies. They feed on the food source for about ten days before pupating. After that, the pupae are brown and about the same size as the adults. After about a week, the pupae hatch into adults.

Fruit Flies Pupa

The pupal stage is when the fruit fly starts to develop its wings. This process takes about a week. Once the wings are fully developed, the fruit fly is ready to mate and start the cycle over again.

The pupae have a hard shell and are brown. You may be able to see them near sources of food, but they’ve often hidden away. 

Fruit Fly Adults

Once the fruit fly has matured, it will mate and start the cycle again. The adult fruit fly only lives for about two weeks. However, in that time, it can lay hundreds of eggs which will hatch into larvae.

When seen up close, the fruit fly adult does not look like a typical fly. However, if you look closely, you can see its eyes are red, and it has stripes on its back.

Why do fruit flies multiply so fast? One reason fruit flies multiply so fast is they can lay up to 500 eggs in a lifetime. Another reason is they are (strong )very hardy and can survive in various environments.

Their larvae develop into adulthood in eight days, so you can see how their population quickly gets out of hand.

How Many Fruit Fly Species Are There?

There are over 1,500 fruit fly species. Most of these species live in tropical and subtropical climates, with only a few species found in temperate regions.

The type of fruit flies we see more often at home include:

• The common fruit fly
• The lesser fruit fly
• The Mediterranean fruit fly
• The Queensland fruit fly
• The South American fruit fly
• The Vietnamese fruit fly
• And many more!

Fruit fly populations can explode quickly, leading to infestations that can damage crops. In addition, fruit flies can carry diseases affecting humans, animals, and plants. For these reasons, it’s important to control fruit fly populations.

Where Do Fruit Flies Come From?

Fruit flies are commonly observed near an overripe fruit. The fragrance of fermentation attracts them to the fruit.

The most common place to find fruit flies is around overripe fruit. The fly is attracted to the fruit by the smell of fermentation. The female lays her eggs on the surface of the fruit. 

When the larvae hatch, they burrow into the fruit to feed. In addition, you can also find fruit flies in drains, garbage cans, and other places with rotting organic matter.

These insects are attracted to anything sweet or rotting. Unfortunately, this means they’re often found near fruits and vegetables starting to go wrong.

Do fruit flies come from outside?

Yes, fruit flies come from outside. They are attracted to ripe fruit and vegetables, which is why you often see them near your kitchen garbage can or in your fruit bowl. While most fruit flies are harmless, some can carry disease-causing bacteria.

To prevent them from coming inside, keep your kitchen clean and free of rotting food. You can also use special traps to catch them.

Why Are Fruit Flies Harmful?

Although the risk of disease transmission from fruit flies to humans is relatively low, it is important to be aware of the potential risks. If you see fruit flies in your home, removing any rotting food is best and cleaning up areas where they may be breeding.

Do fruit flies carry diseases?

Fruit flies can be harmful to humans because they can carry diseases. Research shows fruit flies can transfer at least 63 different human pathogens.

These diseases include salmonellosis, tuberculosis, anthrax, cholera, and plague. They can help to spread disease from one person to another.

While the risk of disease transmission from fruit flies to humans is relatively low, it is still wise to be aware of potential risks. If you see fruit flies in your home, remove any rotting food and clean up areas where they may be breeding.

Can You Eat Fruit That Fruit Flies Have Been On?

No, you shouldn’t eat fruit where fruit flies have been on because they may have left bacteria on the fruit which can cause food poisoning. If you see fruit flies on your fruit, throw the fruit away.

Prevention. The best way to avoid getting fruit flies is not to bring them into your home in the first place. Instead, inspect all fruit and vegetables before bringing them to your home. 

Do fruit flies come from inside fruit?

Do not purchase or take home fruit or vegetables with even a tiny hole since fruit flies are likely to have laid their eggs in this area. Instead, store all fruit and vegetables in the refrigerator or a covered container. If possible, wash fruit and vegetables before you eat them.

If you see a piece of fruit or vegetable ripened, you should eat it, discard it, or put it in the fridge. If there are any cracks or damage on the produce, cut away that part and get rid of it if there are eggs or larvae inside.

What Happens If You Eat Fruit Fly Eggs?

Well, in the most obvious situation, you will survive as nothing happens when a fly sits on food for a few seconds. (Flies’ legs get covered in bacteria and other microorganisms from walking on rotting food and trash)

If you were to eat food where a fly landed on, you would consume those same bacteria. (Some of these could make you sick if they find their way into your body).

There isn’t much information on what happens if you eat fruit fly eggs, but it’s not recommended as they may contain harmful bacteria.

Can fruit fly larvae survive in stomach?

If you do happen to eat some, wash your hands thoroughly afterwards and make sure all of your food preparation surfaces are clean. In addition, you must seek medical attention immediately if you experience any ill effects after eating fruit fly eggs.

If the fly visited an area where germs were present before landing on your egg, there’s a chance it might get infected.

If you eat the egg, you could potentially become ill from the bacteria. While this is unlikely, it is still essential to be aware of the potential risks.

However, if a human or other animal ingests them, they will eventually be digested and killed. There are no reports of fruit fly larvae causing any harm to humans or animals when they are ingested.

Can Fruit Fly Eggs Hatch In Your Stomach?

Yes, fruit fly eggs can hatch in your stomach. If the eggs are not expelled from the body, they will continue to develop into larvae. These larvae can cause serious health problems, including intestinal blockages.

Larvae can live in the mouth, stomach, and intestine, and they can cause serious health problems. The common symptoms of larva infestation are:

• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Vomiting

Intestinal myiasis occurs when fly eggs or larvae infest and mature in the gastrointestinal tract. This can happen if someone accidentally ingests fly eggs or if flies lay their eggs on food that is not cooked correctly.

Eating contaminated food can cause stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. If the larvae migrate out of the intestines, they can cause serious health problems, including blockages, perforations, and bleeding.

Treatment involves removing the larvae from the affected area and may require surgery in severe cases. Prevention of intestinal myiasis is essential, and good hygiene practices can help reduce the risk of infestation.

How Long Do Fruit Flies Live Without Food?

Once they’ve laid their eggs, fruit fly larvae can hatch and mature into adults in as little as seven days. However, fruit fly adults can live much longer – up to two months – without food. Fruit flies can enter a state of diapause when the conditions are unfriendly.

Fruit flies can live for several months without food or water during diapause. Then, when conditions improve, fruit flies will come out of diapause and resume their normal activity levels. 

Fruit flies are relatively short-lived insects, but their ability to enter into diapause allows them to survive for long periods without food or water.

So, if you’re wondering how long fruit flies can live without food, the answer is that it depends on many different factors. However, fruit flies generally won’t live for more than a month without access to food.

Do Fruit Flies Mean Your House Is Dirty?

There is no definitive answer to this question. Some people believe that fruit flies are attracted to unclean environments. In contrast, others believe that they show up because of something in the environment they are drawn to (like ripe fruit or garbage).

However, there are some things that you can do to help keep fruit flies away from your home. First, make sure to keep food covered and clean up any spills right away. Empty garbage cans regularly, and don’t let them get too full. And, if you have fruit on the counter, wash it thoroughly before eating it.