Pests, and in this case fruit flies, in pubs or bars are a big no-no and they can turn customers away in a flash. Customers will visit your establishment to socialise, celebrate and enjoy a beverage with friends and family. They are not there to have a pint with a pest. These flies can be a real nuisance to your customers, capable of spreading diseases, contaminating supplies and ruining your business reputation.
With the arrival of summer and warm weather, comes more flies, of all types. In the article, we’ll share the challenges and tips to getting rid of fruit flies in your pub, allowing customers to enjoy a drink pest free.
What are fruit flies?
These flies are a type of tiny fly found throughout the UK. Why do fruit flies appear? They typically infest homes, businesses and farms that have any type of ripe, rotting, or decaying produce—most often fruits. The adult flies have a brownish-tan colour and are very tiny. They have a staggering reproductive potential and can lay 500 eggs at once under the right conditions, with the lifecycle from eggs to adults requiring around one week. Depending on the conditions, fruit flies can live anywhere from 25 to 30 days.
A description of these flies
- Size: Tiny, typically measuring 2-3 mm in length.
- Colour: Usually a yellowish-brown, brownish yellow, or brownish black.
- Body: Have a small, oval-shaped body with visible segments.
- Eyes: Reddish eyes are a prominent feature of fruit flies.
- Wings: Two clear wings, slightly larger than the body.
What attracts these pesky flies?
During the summer, we often receive phone calls from customers asking “how do you get rid of fruit flies?” and “how do I get rid of fruit flies in my bathroom and kitchen?”. From homes to restaurants, bars and pubs. In this article, we will share some information about these flies that may help you to identify this nuisance of a pest, learn a bit about their habitat, treatment options and tips on prevention. For this blog, we’ll be focusing on food and beverage establishments like pubs.
Pubs typically contain food and liquid items that fruit flies are highly attracted to, making them very susceptible to an infestation. Fruit flies are drawn to beer, cider, fruit and vegetable peels, waste, standing water, floor drains, and sticky residue from drinks like coke and juice. They also feed on overripe fruits and are attracted to fermenting sugars.
Fruit flies feed on overripe fruit and vegetables and are drawn to the fermenting sugars in alcoholic drinks, including spills, the dregs left in the bottom of the glass, and residues in sinks and drains. Surprisingly, there are some non-food items that can attract the attention of fruit flies too, for example, the residues on damp mops, sponges and cleaning cloths, or wastewater in ice wells and sinks.
No matter how regularly you clean your pub from the floor to the ceiling, flies can still find their way in and around those sugary cocktail items, a genuine nuisance , causing a real distraction while you’re preparing those refreshing summer drinks.
Why should a pub prevent fruit flies?
Although these insects are primarily seen as a nuisance pest, they could potentially cross-contaminate food and drink with bacteria and pathogens, leading to customers becoming unwell. Fruit flies are known to visit unsanitary locations such as waste bins, fermenting fruit, decaying vegetation and drains, from which they can transfer pathogens.
Also, the tiny fruit fly lays its eggs in ripening fruit and sweet fermenting liquids, for example, open alcohol, syrup bottles and fruit garnishes. Once hatched the larvae will feed directly on the over-ripened food or sugary liquids.
If customers inadvertently consume the fly larvae they can cause discomfort and diarrhoea. Health & Safety inspectors will make a quick visit to your business if fruit flies are found infesting areas where food is prepared, processed or served.
Fruit fly challenges
Getting rid of these particular flies in a pub, especially around the bar area, is challenging, as a single rotten slice of tomato at the bottom of a waste bin, or even a small spillage of mixer syrup under a refrigerator could breed hundreds of fruit flies.
How do you prevent a fly infestation?
These flies can be a real pain in pubs, buzzing around customers and spoiling the atmosphere. Here are some key strategies to keep fruit flies away from your pub. The best way of preventing fruit flies from invading your pub is by eliminating food sources and breeding places. Let’s look at some tips to eradicate and prevent future fruit fly infestations.
Eliminate Attractants:
- Proper Storage: Store all fruits and vegetables in airtight containers or coolers. This prevents the sweet smells that attract fruit flies.
- Ripe Produce Management: Don’t let ripe fruits sit out for long periods.
- Overripe Disposal: Discard any overripe or rotten fruits and vegetables promptly. Don’t leave them sitting in bins or compost areas near the bar.
- Empty Regularly: Empty waste bins and recycling bins frequently, especially those near food preparation areas.
- Cleanliness: Maintain a clean and sanitised environment throughout the pub. Wipe down spills and clean up any sugary residues from countertops, floors, and behind equipment. Make sure that you clean up all food remnants after meals, dripped juices or alcoholic beverages and other items that may serve as food for these pests. Always check behind appliances for fruits that may have fallen.
Traps and Deterrents:
- Apple Cider Vinegar Traps: Place homemade traps made with apple cider vinegar and a few drops of dish soap in strategic locations. The fruit flies are attracted to the vinegar but get stuck in the soap.
- Commercial Traps: Consider using commercially available fruit fly traps designed for pubs, bars and restaurants. These traps often use attractants and sticky surfaces to capture flies. It’s a simple, easy to use and hygienic way of getting rid of fruit flies.
- Natural Repellents: Strategically place bowls containing natural repellents like cloves, basil leaves, or lemon slices near potential breeding areas. The smell of these might deter fruit flies.
Drainage and Sanitation:
- Inspect and Clean Drains: Regularly inspect and clean drains, especially those near bar areas and food preparation stations. Fruit flies can breed in moist areas with organic matter.
- Repair Leaks: Fix any leaky faucets or pipes promptly. Standing water can attract fruit flies.
- Empty Drip Trays: Empty drip trays under beer taps and refrigerators regularly to prevent moisture buildup.
Additional Tips:
- Maintain Proper Ventilation: Ensure good air circulation throughout the pub, especially in areas where fruits are stored or prepared.
- Educate Staff: Train staff on proper fruit handling, cleaning procedures, and the importance of discarding overripe produce.
- Consider Professional Help: For severe infestations, consider consulting a pest control professional experienced in dealing with fruit flies in commercial settings.
The Takeaway
By following these strategies and maintaining a clean and sanitary environment, you can significantly reduce the presence of fruit flies in your pub, creating a more pleasant experience for your customers. Remember, prevention is key – by eliminating attractants and all breeding grounds, you can keep those pesky fruit flies at bay.
As a locally based family business, we aim to protect the food and beverage sector the smart way. We pride ourselves in supporting local businesses and we’re proud of the long standing working relationships we’ve built up over the years. Sparta pest control has effective solutions to fruit fly issues. Contact Sparta today for advice or survey for your pub, bar or restaurant.
