Can Fruit Flies Survive in the Fridge?
Discover the truth about whether these pesky insects can really survive in the cold environment of your fridge and how do I get rid of fruit flies in my refrigerator and how to effectively banish them for good.
1. Can Fruit Flies survive in the Fridge?
Fruit flies in fridge and freezer: Typically, fruit flies cannot survive the cold temperatures inside a refrigerator.
It’s common to find deceased fruit flies, as they cannot thrive or reproduce in such chilly conditions.
2. Why are there Fruit Flies in my fridge?
Fruit flies, true to their name, are attracted to overripe fruits. But they can also feed on fresh foods, meats, and any rotting items left out. When you put food that has fruit flies on it into your refrigerator, these tiny black insects can end up inside and then die due to the cold. This explains the presence of fruit flies in your refrigerator.
You might not immediately see the food they came from. These flies often move towards the warmest part of your fridge, which is why you might see several dead flies near the refrigerator door. However, they usually come from any uncovered fruit, spoiled food, or meat inside your fridge. A good clean of your fridge should help get rid of dirt, old fruit bits, and any dead fruit flies.
3. How to Clean Your Refrigerator to Prevent Fruit Flies
Step 1: Empty the refrigerator of all food items
- Take out all the food from your fridge. This is a good chance to throw away old food.
- Check each item, especially its expiry date.
- Wash any fresh produce like vegetables and fruits well and get rid of any rotten food.
- Don’t forget to empty the freezer as well.
Step 2: Take out all shelves and drawers from the fridge
- Disconnect your fridge from power to start defrosting.
- This helps with energy efficiency as ice buildup over time can make your fridge work harder.
- Take out all the shelves and drawers and place them to the side.
Step 3: Wipe down the interior walls of the refrigerator
- With the fridge unplugged, it’ll start defrosting, making it easier to remove ice.
- Use a scraper to get rid of ice buildup and a bucket and sponge to mop up any water.
- Work quickly, especially since the freezer will be defrosting too, and keep the freezer door shut to slow down the melting.
Step 4: Clean the shelves and drawers thoroughly
- After cleaning the fridge’s interior, wash the shelves and drawers.
- They are usually made of glass or plastic, so just use dish soap and water.
- Dry them well to avoid water spots before putting them back in the fridge.
Step 5: Power on the refrigerator and return the remaining food items
- With the cleaning done, the bugs should be gone.
- Plug in the fridge and restock with the good food.
- Be careful with meat from the freezer: if it has thawed, it’s best to throw it away to avoid health risks.
- Remember, don’t use pesticides inside the fridge as they can be harmful.
4. How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies in Fridge
Besides using apple cider vinegar traps, it’s crucial to maintain clean drains and garbage disposals to prevent fruit flies from laying eggs.
Utilizing Apple Cider Vinegar Traps
Fruit flies love the smell of ripe fruit, and apple cider vinegar smells like fermenting fruit, making it a great lure.
- To make a trap, use a clear glass jar and fill it with apple cider vinegar until it’s about 1/8 full.
- Mix in a few drops of dish soap to ensure the flies get trapped.
- Cover the jar with plastic wrap and poke small holes in it.
- Place this trap inside your fridge or where the flies are most seen. The flies will enter through the holes and get trapped.
Maintaining Clean Drains and Garbage Disposal
- Fruit flies lay eggs in moist areas, so keeping drains clean is key.
- Pour baking soda and vinegar down the drain and let it fizz up.
- Then, flush with boiling water to kill any remaining flies.
- Regularly clean your drains and garbage disposals until the infestation is completely gone.
Placing Adhesive Traps
- Sticky traps catch adult flies and gnats, preventing them from breeding.
- They don’t kill eggs or larvae, so they’re best used along with drain cleaning.
- This combo approach will help eliminate flies, eggs, and larvae effectively.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the question “Can fruit flies survive in the fridge?” has been answered, and you now have the knowledge to tackle these pesky invaders.
But our pest-fighting journey doesn’t end here! Explore more insightful blogs on pest control and prevention in Pestweek.Â
Calina Mabel has over 15 years of experience in the field of journalism and communications. Currently, Calina Mabel is the Content Writer for categories such as Cockroach, Ants, Bed Bugs, Mosquito, Rodent, Termite, and Flies on Pestweek.com. She aims to build content for these categories with a focus on providing valuable and accessible information to readers, in order to create the world’s largest knowledge community about Pests.
All content written by Calina Mabel has been reviewed by Emily Carter.