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While fruit flies and gnats look very similar to the naked eye, they are actually quite different creatures. Gnats are larger and fruit flies are more colorful. Even the mating habits and habitats of fruit flies and gnats are unique to their groupings. Because they are drawn to different types of matter, it takes varied methods to control infestations.
Fruit Flies and Gnats: What’s the Difference?
In the state of New Jersey, this time of year causes many people to ask: is it a fruit fly, or is it a gnat? Residents throughout this area frequently ask about the identity of these small insects buzzing near their homes. If are you one of the folks wondering about the differences in fruit flies and gnats, then you’ve come to the right place
Fruit Flies and Gnats
Both pests belong to a group of insects called dipterans. While they look remarkably the same, they’re actually from two different groupings. The tiny size is really the only thing fruit flies and gnats have in common, and once you learn about their behavior and biology, you can easily distinguish them from one another.
Fruit Flies
As the name implies, fruit flies love vegetation. If you have some bananas sitting on the counter for too long, the decay will attract these tiny flies in droves. Fruit flies belong to two separate family classifications named Tephritidae and Drosophilidae.
The two groups of fruit flies can be recognized by their size and color differences.The Tephritidae is much more colorful and more prominent in size, and they’re known to be a significant issue in the agricultural world. However, the Drosophila fruit fly variety has a vastly different biology. These little bugs have a great significance to researchers when studying genetics, which actually makes them valuable to science.
• Fruit Fly Appearance
If you examine the fruit fly, you will notice the black wings, brown head, and red eyes. The size is no more than two through four millimeters. Their long and skinny legs are easy to identify when they’re flying about. Another distinction between fruit flies and gnats is the bristles or spikes of hair you can locate on the thorax and head area of fruit flies.
• Fruit Fly Behaviors
These little flies are known for their capability to survive on rotten fruits and vegetables globally. The female lays her eggs amongst those decaying surfaces, as it helps them to increase their population proportions.
Regardless of their importance in scientific research, financial consequences are crucial to consider; small fruit flies have a significant effect on farmers and their families’ livelihood.
Gnats
While fruit flies and gnats are both small flying insects, gnats are divided into three families. The most common species you will encounter is the Sciaridae variety.
• Gnat Appearance
Examining the gnat shows that they have a small body that is about one or two millimeters long. Their body is black, they have compounded eyes with many lenses,, and their abdomen has a unique feature as it’s pointed. Despite their tiny bodies, their wings are disproportionately large which enables them to achieve remarkable speeds in flight due to their elongated legs that facilitate their jumping abilities.
Researchers have observed that these creatures share a similar leg structure to mosquitoes which likely explains their exceptional ability to travel.
• Gnat Behaviors
The gnat loves to dine on sap from plants, but some of the bugs within this grouping prefer meat. You will often see them congregating around warmer areas, but they love anywhere water has collected and begun to stagnate.
You won’t see one of these critters flying solo, as their nature is to travel in groups. Scientists call these groupings a “ghost,” as their rapid travel speed makes them disappear as quickly as they arrived.
When you see fruit flies and gnats swarm, you can almost guarantee a gnats’ swarm is filled with males searching for a female for mating. Though they may be small, they have big tempers. The mating process triggers fierce competition which leads them to show
How Did Fruit Flies and Gnats Get Inside?
You probably don’t care so much about how fruit flies and gnats got into your home—you just want to get them out of there. However, learning their habits can help you get rid of them. First, since they both have such small bodies, they can quickly get inside through a hole in your screen or fly in when you have the door open.
Some varieties of the gnats like houseplants as this is a moist area. They can hitch a ride in on some potting soil from the greenhouse, or they can come in from the outside. The fruit fly, on the other hand, comes in with the produce from the grocery store.
They can also come in from your garden, especially if it’s during harvest season and you’re bringing in a lot of vegetation.
How Did Fruit Flies and Gnats Get Inside?
You probably don’t care so much about how fruit flies and gnats got into your home—you just want to get them out of there. However, learning their habits can help you get rid of them. First, since they both have such small bodies, they can quickly get inside through a hole in your screen or fly in when you have the door open.
Some varieties of the gnats like houseplants as this is a moist area. They can hitch a ride in on some potting soil from the greenhouse, or they can come in from the outside. The fruit fly, on the other hand, comes in with the produce from the grocery store.
They can also come in from your garden, especially if it’s during harvest season and you’re bringing in a lot of vegetation.
DIY: Getting Rid of Fruit Flies and Gnats
It would be nice if you could wave a magic wand and get rid of both fruit flies and gnats, but since they’re two different bugs, you will need to take various approaches. For fruit flies, you need to eliminate their food source. If you can identify any area where they can enter your home, seal it off immediately.
Another place to check is your garbage disposal, as food often gets trapped in this bin and attracts pests. It’s important to find what they’re feeding on and get rid of it.
Traps seem to work the best for the fruit fly, and there are many do-it-yourself varieties you can find online. The key is to keep most fruits inside the refrigerator rather than on the counter. It will help slow the decaying process and keep them from laying eggs there.
As mentioned above, gnats are attracted to dirt and soil which suggests they probably live among your houseplants. The presence of these pests near your plants probably means you’re overwatering them. Excessive water creates mold and fungus which attracts them. Water the plants only after the soil has partially dried out.
Your local gardening store sells soil covers that act as a barrier to keep gnats away. It’s a cost-effective solution for a problematic pest.
It’s Time for Professional Help
If the fruit flies or gnats are driving you crazy, and nothing you’ve tried is working, then it’s time to call in your favorite New Jersey pests professionals. Our Kapture Pest Control experts can help you determine how these fruit flies and gnats get into your home and properly treat your home to ensure they stay away.
