What Is The Difference Between Fruit Flies And Fleas? (Debate)

When differentiating fruit flies and fleas, they don’t hold any similarity except being smaller in size and extremely annoying. There are more than 4000 species of fruit flies and 2500 fleas. 

Let me tell you that they both are entirely different insects. Fruit flies feed on rotten fruits and vegetables, while fleas survive by feeding on mammals’ blood. Let’s compare both based on their size, lifespan, and other features. 

The order Diptera denotes many insects including fruit flies. However, fleas are known as order Siphonaptera. 

Sharing a great number of human genes, there are various genetic studies conducted on fruit flies. Fleas, however, have no such similarity with human genes.  

Fleas have no wings and have a pipe that is specifically designed in a way that helps them suck on blood. Fruit flies have six legs and have a pair of wings. You probably don’t like the buzzing sound of fruit flies and are looking for ways to remove them completely from your house.

So, if you want to know how to get rid of fruit flies, this article might help you find the best solution. I’ll also share what attracts fruit flies the most. There will also be some insights on fleas.

Let’s deep dive into it… 

Fruit Flies VS. Fleas

Let’s make side by side comparison of fruit flies and fleas;

Now that you know both fruit flies and fleas are harmful to humans, keeping yourself safe from both is better. Fruit flies spread germs that can cause food poisoning, so taking precautionary measures to protect yourself is essential. 

Why Are Fruit Flies In Your House?

When you bring veggies or fruits home, you’re eventually bringing the eggs of fruit flies with them. Fruit flies lay eggs on rotten fruits and vegetables. It means you bring eggs that are hatched in your home. 

Furthermore, leaving fruits on the countertop with no sealing also promotes the birth of these little bugs. Therefore, it’s better to leave fruits in the refrigerator. 

They don’t always need to get attracted to the fruits, they sometimes buzz around spilled beer or anything containing sugar.

How To Get Rid Of Fruit Flies Without Killing Them?

If you want to get rid of fruit flies, you may find countless ways to get rid of them. Let me tell you that only a few of them will work. 

Some people go with organic sprays, but they’re not effective on adult bees as they may fly around and don’t get trapped. 

In the first place, you should follow the following steps to minimize the fruit flies;

• Keep your kitchen clean
• Don’t keep fruits outside the fridge 
• Run garbage disposal in case food gets stuck in sink

Best Way To Get Rid Of Fruit Flies

Let’s have a look at the best way out you can trap fruit flies;

• Take a jar with some vinegar in it.
• Cover the top with a plastic wrap.
• Take a rubber band and seal the edges with it.
• Make some holes so that flies can easily go into the jar.
• You can put it wherever you want to trap them.
• Once fruit flies are trapped in the jar, they won’t be able to come out.

Why do Fruit Flies Still Appear Despite Leaving Traps?

Fruit flies still appear despite leaving traps mainly because they grow faster. Interestingly, a female fruit fly can lay up to 2000 eggs. These eggs hatch within 30 hours. It’s important to mention that they have a short life span of 9 to 14 days. It’s better not to leave the food that attracts them. If no food can attract them, they’ll leave. 

Life Cycle of Fruit Flies

Can You Get Sick From Flea Bites?

Fleas are better known for spreading disease. They’re so tiny that you may not be able to see them. If you see small red bumps on your skin in a row, these are flea bites. Some people start scratching the affected area, which worsens the situation by promoting infection. 

It’s worth noting that fleas not only bite humans, animals, and birds. So, your pets can also suffer from a disease like anemia. By causing infection, they can also cause human breathing problems. 

Conclusion

• Fruit flies and fleas are entirely different insects. They are distinct despite their small size and annoyance.

• They have distinct characteristics and behaviors.

• Fruit flies feed on rotten fruits, vegetables, and sugary syrup. In contrast, fleas survive by feeding on the blood of mammals, including humans and pets.

• Fruit flies belong to the order Diptera, while fleas are classified under Siphonaptera.

• Fruit flies have wings and six legs. In contrast, fleas lack wings and have specialized mouthparts for blood-feeding.

• Fruit flies have a relatively short lifespan of 9 to 14 days and can spread germs, leading to food poisoning.

• Fleas, conversely, can transmit diseases like Bubonic Plague, Murine Typhus, and Tungiasis. It makes them a more significant health concern.

• Preventing fruit flies includes keeping the kitchen clean and refrigerating fruits. Using traps like vinegar jars also helps.

• Flea infestations are more challenging to eliminate and may require pesticide treatments. They can hide in various places and survive for extended periods on dried blood.

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