Identification - Ask Extension
Could you identify this flying bug. I think this MIGHT be my culprit causing my home invasion problem.
Whatever this is would it leave black dots and...
Knowledgebase
Identification #731093
Asked October 17, 2020, 4:34 PM EDT
Could you identify this flying bug. I think this MIGHT be my culprit causing my home invasion problem.
Whatever this is would it leave black dots and then red/orange like seed things?
In car, in kitchen, in my elderly moms white hair & up nose. I think they more jump than fly but I could be wrong.
At this point I have an exterminator coming but thought I would send it to you to identify and see if anyone else has had this nightmare of eggs and larvae EVERYWHERE. I have no plants, my house is all hardwood and prettty empty at this point but there are a lot of cracks and hides holes. In the second picture you can see a white egg -
Thank you once again.
Southeast Fairbanks County Alaska
Expert Response
Hello,
Looking at your picture it appears you have fruit flies. They are pretty common and can be difficult to get rid of once established. They also have the ability to grow in population size pretty quickly. You are on the right track about cleaning. They love fruit, so anything left on the counter may be a food source. They also will eat crumbs about, like under stoves and fridges. And even when you think they are gone, if you leave out a cut apple, in a few days they are back. You can get some fly paper which will help reduce the population. The good news is they are harmless and not considered to carry any diseases. Persistence is the key. By removing the food source and knocking back the adults eventually they will die out.
Looking at your picture it appears you have fruit flies. They are pretty common and can be difficult to get rid of once established. They also have the ability to grow in population size pretty quickly. You are on the right track about cleaning. They love fruit, so anything left on the counter may be a food source. They also will eat crumbs about, like under stoves and fridges. And even when you think they are gone, if you leave out a cut apple, in a few days they are back. You can get some fly paper which will help reduce the population. The good news is they are harmless and not considered to carry any diseases. Persistence is the key. By removing the food source and knocking back the adults eventually they will die out.
