What to do if fruit fly eggs are found on fruit?

What to do if fruit fly eggs are found on fruit?

Fruit fly eggs are very small (about 0.5 mm) and difficult to see with the naked eye. When you see small white worms wriggling in the fruit flesh, the larvae have already hatched.

Treating infested fruit

• Cut off the rotten parts and the areas with larvae; discard in a sealed garbage bag.
• Wash the remaining fruit flesh — although larvae have crawled on it, it can still be eaten after washing.
• If unsure, discard the whole fruit or place it in the freezer to kill the larvae.
• Immediately refrigerate the remaining good fruit — low temperatures prevent egg hatching.

Clean the surrounding environment

• Wipe the fruit bowl and countertop with dish soap or white vinegar.
• Dispose of garbage the same day; seal and discard fruit peels and kitchen waste.
• Check under and around the fruit bowl for fallen fruit debris.
• Check the inner walls of the garbage bin for stuck fruit juice.

Spray to kill adults

• If fruit flies are flying nearby, spray dinotefuran-containing household insecticide around the garbage bin and window sills.
• Also spray the edges of kitchen countertops and areas near the fruit bowl.
• Once dry, the insecticide forms a film; adults that land on it die.
• Prevents fruit flies from laying eggs on other fruit.

Future prevention

• Inspect fruit for damage or signs of rot before bringing it home.
• Eat ripe fruit promptly; refrigerate any that cannot be eaten immediately.
• Pay special attention to bananas, grapes, mangoes, tomatoes, and other fruits that easily attract fruit flies.
• Do not place fruit bowls next to garbage bins.