You know the drill. You hear buzz buzz and then swat!
When you see flies in your house – whether hovering over food in the kitchen or buzzing around the house – your first reaction is always disgust and irritation, followed by Where the hell did it come from? and How do I get rid of it? And then, maybe something like How do I prevent this from happening again?
For many, a fly is a fly and all flies are a nuisance. True, but fruit flies, when compared to other types, are physically tiny. Despite the name, fruit flies do not eat fruits but rather feed on the fungus or rot that grows on fruits, which is the reason why they are attracted to the smell of decaying vegetables and rotting fruits. Even if they are harmless and do not bite, they can still be very annoying.
However, since they are fruit flies, instead of colonizing your kitchen, why do they nest in your bathroom?
Reasons for Fruit Flies in the Bathroom
It’s confusing when you find fruit flies not in your kitchen but in your bathroom. And, no, it’s not because of your organic shampoo infused with fruit extract. So, why are they roaming near your shower or hovering inside your sink?
Food?
While some consider bringing food and drink into a bathroom as gross, others think that there’s nothing that feelswrong about it. I don’t mean a plate of food with a fork and spoon or anything, but more simple foods like a cookie, a granola bar, a soda or even chewing gum.
Now, here’s the thing; a piece of food could have been thrown in the trash or hidden behind the toilet – yeah, blame it on the kid. And, this represents a temptation for the fruit flies.
Moisture
Even if there is nothing sweet or rotten in your bathroom, fruit flies are attracted to warm and moist spaces. Your bathroom drain, for example, is full of moist matter, thus the perfect place for these flies to reproduce. Moist areas like sinks and shower drain provide a comfortable environment for the flies to settle and breed. And, as female flies can lay dozens of eggs a day, what began as a few flies can quickly turn into a fly infestation.
Messy and Dirty bathrooms
Puddles on the floor, standing water in the sink, used towels sprawled carelessly on the floor, smelly and wet clothes thrown in a corner, moist rags and dirty sponges lounging around – overall, you are creating a hotspot for fruit flies.
If you leave your bathroom in such unsanitary conditions, you’ll be inviting fruit flies to make your bathroom as their favorite destination.
Clogged Drains
These flies can also feed on the decay and decomposing matter in the drains and, if given the right set of circumstances – a drain clogged with build-up – they will come through this dirty access point and will be encouraged to live off it.
Plumbing Leaks
If you spot these flies as a small infestation near a specific access point, it could mean there is a lack of plumbing maintenance. For instance, broken pipes, leaky faucets and blocked drains are common reasons why fruit flies invade your bathroom.
If there is a puddle of water under the sink, ask a plumber to check if there’s a leak somewhere in your plumbing system. Remember, the longer you wait to unclog your drain or fix your sink, the more time you are giving the fruit flies to breed and multiply.
Coming From the Kitchen
Fruit flies love to swarm around kitchens but if their favorite breeding ground – your restroom- is near the kitchen, they won’t hesitate to switch and move into their new home.
You don’t want to brush your teeth while these pesky fruit flies buzz around your head, right? So, what do you think you can do to get rid of these annoying flies?
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