Pest Prevention- Fruit Fly Worksheet
1. Where do fruit flies breed? (Breeding Habits and Lifecycle)
Lay eggs near the surface of fermenting foods or other moist organic materials. They can also breed in drains, garbage disposals, empty bottles and cans, trash containers, mops and cleaning rags.
2. How many eggs can the average fruit fly lay? (Breeding Habits and Lifecycle)
500 eggs per fruit fly
3.How long is the lifecycle of the fruit fly? (Breeding Habits and Lifecycle)
The entire lifecycle from egg to adult can be completed in about a week.
4. Why is it important to prevent infestations from happening? (Breeding Habits and Lifecycle)
They have the potential to contaminate food with bacteria and other desease producing organisms
5. How can we prevent infestations from occurring? (Prevention)
The best way to avoid problems is to eliminate the sources of attraction. Cracked or damaged fruits should be discarded. Food storage bins should be cleaned regularly (potato/onion bins), Floors should be thoroughly swept and mopped, recycling bins should be cleaned regularly.
6. In our kitchen right now, what preventative actions must we take to prevent fruit flies from breeding? (Prevention)
Clean drains of food particles at the end of class. Sweep thoroughly. Recycling bins should be emptied and washed frequently. Garbage bags should be changed frequently.
7. How can we kill the fruit flies? (Eradication and Environmental Alternative)
Insecticides are not recommended- try an eco trap!