Fruit flies are common pests that are found in supermarkets, houses, and restaurants where produce is allowed to rot and ferment. They are drawn to the sugars in fermenting fruits and vegetables and also to damp environments such as the drain. One way they can infiltrate your house is through fruit that contains fruit fly eggs, which can be up to 500 at a time. They can continue breeding in trash disposals, so make sure to throw away rotten food before they become a serious nuisance.
Although fruit flies are commonly mistaken for gnats, there are a few differences between those pests. It is important to identify the type of insect you are dealing with, as they may require different treatment methods. Fruit flies are ⅛ inches long with a rounded body that ranges from tan to black and have red eyes. Gnats are fairly harmless but irritating and tend to swarm houseplants. They have black, mosquito-like bodies with long legs. While adults do not pose much of a problem to plants, their larvae can feed on plant roots or fungi in the soil, causing the plant to wilt. The larvae are about ¼ inches long and have transparent, whitish bodies with shiny black heads. There are many methods to eliminate fruit flies, which this article examines below.
As a proud owner of an Aarons beard plant (also known as Tradescantia zebrina), I know how frustrating it can be when tiny fruit flies start buzzing around your beautiful purple foliage. These pesky insects seem to appear out of nowhere and can quickly become a nuisance. But don’t worry – with some diligence and the right techniques, you can get rid of fruit flies from your Aarons beard plant and restore peace to your indoor jungle.
Understanding Why Fruit Flies Are Attracted to Aarons Beard Plants
Fruit flies are drawn to moist environments and decaying organic material – two things commonly found around houseplants. The soil of potted plants provides an ideal breeding ground for fruit flies to lay their eggs. And as larvae, the flies feed on fungi and decaying plant roots.
Aarons beard plants are particularly prone to fruit fly infestations for a few reasons
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Their soil stays moist between waterings Fruit flies need moisture to breed
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Dead leaves or flowers that fall into the soil decay, feeding fruit fly larvae.
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Extra moisture and humidity from the plant’s transpiration provide a humid microclimate fruit flies love.
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The hairy stems and leaves give adult flies plenty of places to hide and rest.
So if you notice fruit flies buzzing around the soil, leaves, or stems of your Aarons beard plant, it’s almost certainly not the plant’s fault! But you’ll need to take action to get rid of them.
Signs of a Fruit Fly Infestation on Your Plant
Before you can solve a fruit fly problem, you need to confirm that’s indeed what is going on. Here are a few tell-tale signs your Aarons beard plant has become a fruit fly habitat:
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Tiny flying insects lingering around the plant, especially low to the soil. They may land on the leaves to rest.
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Visible larvae in the top soil that look like little worms or maggots.
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Damaged roots or signs of decaying organic matter in the soil.
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Excess moisture or mushy soil indicating overwatering.
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Adult flies emerging from the soil and taking flight.
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Potentially drooping or yellowing leaves if larvae have damaged the roots.
If you spot any combination of these signs, it’s time to take action! The sooner you intervene, the easier it will be to eradicate the fruit fly infestation.
6 Effective Ways to Get Rid of Fruit Flies on Your Aarons Beard Plant
Here are the techniques I’ve used to successfully banish fruit flies from my Aarons beard plants over the years:
1. Remove Excess Moisture from the Soil
Fruit flies need a moist environment to breed. Allow the plant’s soil to dry out more between watering and improve drainage if needed. This alone can deter flies.
2. Eliminate Decaying Organic Matter
Gently remove any dead leaves, spent flowers, and other debris that has fallen into the soil. Flies feed on decaying matter.
3. Use Sticky Traps Near Your Plant
Set up yellow sticky traps around the plant to catch adult flies. For bonus points, add a drop of apple cider vinegar to really attract them.
4. Apply a Light Layer of Sand or Perlite
Sprinkle some sand or perlite on top of the soil to dehydrate larvae and eggs. It also obstructs them from reaching adulthood.
5. Treat the Plant and Soil with Neem Oil
Use neem oil spray on the leaves and soil as a natural insecticide against fruit fly larvae and eggs.
6. Repot the Plant in Fresh, Sterile Soil
For severe infestations, replace all of the soil to entirely remove larvae and eggs. Sterilize the pot too.
I find this combination of drying out the soil, removing food sources, trapping adults, and using neem oil is very effective at breaking the fruit flies’ life cycle. Make sure to quarantine infested plants away from your other houseplants so the flies don’t spread.
Prevent Fruit Flies from Coming Back
Prevention is key to keeping fruit flies away long-term after you’ve solved an infestation on your Aarons beard plant. Here are some tips:
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Let the soil dry out more between watering and fix any drainage issues.
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Remove fallen leaves and flowers before they decay.
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Keep the area around your plant clean.
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Apply horticultural sand for 1-2 inches on top of the soil.
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Use yellow sticky traps pre-emptively to catch adult flies.
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Treat your plant’s soil periodically with neem oil.
Methods of getting rid of fruit flies
The majority of methods of getting rid of fruit flies consist of building DIY trips. Vinegar, rotten fruit, and wine are popular substances that are used. Make sure you use a disposable jar or a jar set aside for this purpose, as that would be disgusting if you reused it for food.
Turn on the air conditioner
Air conditioner will prevent flies from landing and keep the air moving. Flies thrive in warm, humid environments, which are eliminated by the AC. It will also interfere with their sense of smell, which will keep them away from food and make them leave your home. This is a simple and easy solution, especially during hot days.
Incense, which is used for religious and spiritual purposes, meditation, or aesthetic reasons, is an effective way to get rid of fruit flies. The smoke from incense will disturb and suffocate them.
How To Deal With Fruit Flies And Drain Flies
FAQ
What to spray on plants for fruit flies?
What does it mean when your plant has fruit flies?
How to get rid of little flies around plants?
How to get rid of fruit flies?
Vinegar is one of the most-loved ingredients for fruit flies. So, you can mix vinegar with dish soap and use this mixture as bait. Simply take a bowl, add dish soap and vinegar, and stir the mixture well. Prepare this bait in multiple bowls. Put these bowls near your plants and kitchen, as fruit flies are primarily found in these areas.
How do you get rid of fruit flies in a jar?
The fruit flies will crawl into the holes in the lid, but they won’t be able to fly back out. Eventually, they’ll die inside the jar. To make your trap even more effective, add a few drops of dish soap to the vinegar. Dish soap will make the vinegar stickier, so the flies will get stuck in the liquid and drown.
How do you get rid of fruit flies with apple cider vinegar?
Apple Cider Vinegar Trap Fill a small container or an empty soda bottle with 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar, 2 tablespoons of water, and a few drops of fruity-smelling dish soap. Place the container wherever the pests are most active. Fruit flies are highly attracted to apple cider vinegar, so they’ll fly right into this homemade fruit fly trap.
How do you get flies out of rotten fruit?
Place rotten fruit into a large bowl or container. Cover the container with plastic wrap. Puncture the plastic wrap with a fork, creating lots of small holes. Just make sure the holes aren’t too big or the fruit flies might be able to escape after entering. Rubbing Alcohol Spray