Unraveling the Mystery of Little Flies from Trash

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the origin and behavior of small flies, specifically in relation to household waste and decaying food. Participants explore the types of flies commonly found around trash, their breeding habits, and the conditions that lead to their proliferation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that the flies appear when trash or unwashed dishes accumulate, questioning the process of their emergence from decaying food.
  • Another participant identifies the flies as fruit flies, noting their attraction to decaying fruits and vegetables, as well as breeding in sheltered areas like sink drains.
  • A different contributor elaborates on the breeding cycle of fruit flies, mentioning their attraction to polyalcohols from decaying food and providing details on their life cycle duration at room temperature.
  • Another participant expresses concern about the possibility of eggs being laid on food items, such as spaghetti, and mentions experiences with other pests hatching from dried goods.
  • A later reply humorously acknowledges the peak population of flies in the fall, affirming the previous points made about their visibility in homes during that time.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that the flies in question are likely fruit flies and discuss their breeding habits, but there are differing views on the specifics of their life cycle and the conditions that lead to their emergence.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about the conditions necessary for fly breeding and the specifics of their life cycle are not fully explored, leaving room for further inquiry.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in household pest control, entomology, or those experiencing issues with flies in their homes may find this discussion relevant.

quasar987
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When one neglects to take out the trash or let unwashed dishes accumulate, one sometimes see little flies gravitate around the mess.

I wonder where do these little flies come from? It seems they span directly from the junk, but I fail to see how "crust of spagetti sauce on a plate --> the miracle of life" !

Plz shed light on this for me!

Thx
 
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Those are fruit flies, and they can emerge from fruits and vegetables in the trash or merely sitting on the counter (like tomatoes, etc sitting out). They can also breed in sheltered areas in sink drains, vent pipes, etc.
 
They are probably fruit flies. They are attracted to things like polyalcohols that are given off by certain foods in decay and obviously decaying fruit.

In the fall their population peaks, and you start seeing them in your house. If you leave fruit out and it actually rots, those guys will have babies - maggots. Which make more adult flies - takes about 2 weeks from egg to adult; the adults live for probably 4-5 weeks. All of these times are for 20C room temperature.
 
I've always thought that fruit brought in has eggs laid in/on them and left to spoil, the eggs will by then hatch. Spaghetti wories me, but I've seen gnats and moths hatch out of dried beans and pasta.

Whenever I buy things like that, I immediately decant them into sealed jars and wait a few days to see if anything hatches before I use it.
 
jim mcnamara said:
In the fall their population peaks and you start seeing them in your house.

You ain't kidding.

Jim
 

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