Fruit flies usually go away or their population dwindles when temperatures become cooler, especially below about 53°F (12°C), since their development stops at these lower temperatures. Their typical lifespan is about 40 to 50 days in warm conditions, and they thrive in summer and fall when fruit and produce are abundant. However, fruit flies can survive winter by entering a hibernation-like state called diapause and then re-emerge when conditions are ripe again. They will not usually go away completely on their own unless you remove their food sources and breeding grounds, such as overripe or rotting fruits and vegetables, and keep your home clean. Waiting them out without cleaning is not effective because the population can continue to grow rapidly if the conditions remain favorable.
When Fruit Flies Go Away
- As temperatures cool down in late fall and winter, fruit flies stop developing and their numbers decline naturally.
- In colder seasons, fruit flies can survive by going into diapause and reappear when temperatures warm up and food is available.
- Effective removal involves cleaning, throwing out overripe produce, and eliminating breeding sites, which will cause them to disappear within a couple of weeks.
Why They Persist
- Fruit flies lay hundreds of eggs on fermenting fruit and organic material, and eggs hatch within about 10 days.
- Without removing breeding sites, populations can grow quickly and persist through warmer months.
- They thrive in warm, moist environments, making homes with exposed fruit and organic residue ideal habitats.
In summary, fruit flies tend to go away naturally with colder weather but only if their food sources and breeding grounds are also eliminated. Otherwise, their populations can continue or return strongly when conditions improve.
