How to eliminate fruit flies in a restaurant

Drain Maintenance, Educational, Food Service/Processing

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There’s nothing cute about the tiny flies often found in foodservice operations. Restaurants, commercial kitchens, and food processing plants struggle mightily to get rid of drain flies.

Whether they show up near drains, drip pans, garbage areas, or make their way to the front of the house, small flies can mean big problems for the reputation of your business. At best, they are a nuisance and can give customers the feeling that your establishment is dirty. At worst, they can potentially transfer pathogens from the unsanitary places they frequent. Fortunately, when the right maintenance procedures are followed, you can confidently control drain flies and turn your restaurant into an effective “no fly zone.”

Foodservice and food processing environments provide the perfect setting for drain flies to thrive. The availability of moist, warm conditions along with a ready food supply of organic waste material meets the requirements these insects need to live and breed. Specifically, the grease and organic matter that builds up on the walls of unmaintained drain pipes creates an ideal place for drain flies to lay their eggs. Cracks and cervices in floors or even broken food containers can also serve as breeding grounds if wet enough.

Some foodservice operations try to solve the drain fly problem by applying insecticides. This may treat exposed surfaces but is ineffective at reaching drain traps and covered areas where flies actually live. Pouring bleach down drains also does little good, as it doesn’t eliminate the organic matter that they like to feed on. While these winged insects can be quite annoying, the more important issue in foodservice environments is their ability to transport unsanitary pathogens to food and food prep surfaces, increasing the risk of foodborne illness.

Following are our suggestions to get rid of drain flies in all areas of your foodservice and food processing operation:

Drains – Use a heavy-duty brush to scour pipes above the water trap. Regularly maintain drains with a bio-enzymatic cleaner – one that is bacteria and enzyme-based – to eliminate the grease and slime that small drain flies feed on and lay eggs in. Bactizyme is just such a cleaner that safely breaks down organic matter, eliminating flies and keeping pipes running smoothly. Learn more about how enzymatic cleaners work here. An alternate solution to control small flies in drains would be to use a disinfectant solution like Uno.

Floors – Eliminate areas where water may pool, paying particular attention to drains, corners, cracks and crevices. Use a squeegee or wet/dry vacuum to remove pooled water on floors. Reference this article on foodservice floor safety to learn how to keep your kitchen floors sanitary and safe.

Work areas and equipment – Keep counters, appliances and fixtures free of food, and clean up spills immediately. Inspect wheel castors, table supports, and other hard to clean areas regularly for food debris. Table Time 200® is a convenient RTU cleaner and food service sanitizer that you can easily grab and spray on prep counters, equipment, tables and all areas of the kitchen at any time. It cleans and eliminates 99.999% of bacteria.

Cleaning tools – Damp mops and towels left to ferment can quickly become a breeding place in your foodservice area. Dry out wet tools and if possible keep them covered in a bin. Never leave a wet mop propped against a wall. Instead, store with strands hanging down in a dry, well-circulated area.

Garbage disposals – Run disposals for an extra 30 seconds after waste has passed through, running water down the drain at the same time.

Garbage cans – Always keep trash containers covered, using self-closing lids whenever possible. Empty receptacles frequently and keep the areas around them free of debris and rotting food, especially vegetables and fruits. Rinse containers regularly with hot water to eliminate bits of food or juice, then clean and disinfect.

Windows and doors – Don’t allow windows or doors to be propped open. Repair torn screens and replace missing caulk, weather stripping and joint mortar around the building that could provide an easy entryway for pests.

Outside – Keep exterior garbage cans at least 25 feet from entrances. Use a mechanical spray device with a disinfectant solution like Nyco Uno to clean, disinfect and deodorize exterior trash receptacles Don’t stack, store, or plant anything next to building openings.

Drain flies may be small, but they can become a huge problem for your foodservice establishment if not under control. By practicing a few simple maintenance procedures each day you can make your kitchen area uninviting to these pests while keeping your operation safely humming along.

Stumped on how to get rid of fruit flies in your restaurant kitchen or bar? There isn’t much that can ruin a dining experience faster than little bugs buzzing around, getting close to your food and almost drowning in your drink. It can quickly make an otherwise clean restaurant feel dirty and not well-kept. Figuring out the best fruit fly remedy should start at the root – what causes fruit flies in your restaurant or bar? They tend to focus on are places that have alcohol, juice, fruit, soda, starches, and rotting food, so that means in and around sinks, drains, soda machines, garbage cans, around wet mops/buckets, food storage areas, and bathrooms. The little pests can breed very quickly, so it's important to nab the problem at the source to keep them under control. For any of the following fruit fly removal methods to be successful, you must identify all of the problem areas to figure out the best way to treat them. We'll help you figure out where your problems areas are and what products to use when your DIY traps don't work.

Preventing at the source is the best way to get rid of fruit flies in your kitchen. Once you’ve discovered the problem areas, make sure you keep them as clean as possible:

• Regularly wash out trash cans and recycling bins. Keep a tight lid on them.• Keep ripe fruits and vegetables in the refrigerator, not out in the open. • Keep space underneath large appliances clean and spill-free.• Promptly dispose of food that is going bad.• Maintain clean drainage areas to avoid excess moisture hanging around

• Keep drink dispensers clean and covered, including all soda, juice, syrups & alcohol, using bottle covers and beer tap caps.

• Use floor detergent with grease eating bacteria to remove what they feed on.

1. BarPro Fruit Fly & Insect Killer
Fruit Fly Bar Pro is the best way to get rid of fruit flies in your restaurant kitchen or bar. It’s inexpensive, very effective, and quite easy to use. You simply remove the strip from the packaging, hang around your problem areas and get around-the-clock fruit fly repellent for up to four months! The best part is that it also helps you get rid of cockroaches, moths, mosquitoes, silverfish and more. It’s silent, time released vapor is odorless, but will attack and treat the problem area at the source. You set it and forget it, and within 24 hours, you and your customers will notice a difference!

2. Bar-Maid FLY-BYE Fruit Fly Trap
These non-toxic fruit fly traps are great for busy bars and restaurants because they are made to be used around food. The compact design can be used anywhere so they can be placed in virtually any damp area. Since they contain no volatile organic compounds, they are safe to use in serving areas. For up to 30 days, these traps utilize a food-based substance to attract the flies, and once they get in, they can’t get back out.

3. Fly Web Indoor Fly Trap LightThe Fly Web Indoor Trap Light is very easy to use not only at your restaurant but in your home as well. You simply insert the glue board behind the light and plug it into any regular outlet near the breeding grounds. The fruit flies and other pesky bugs will be attracted to the light and get stuck to the glue board. You will see the results from this fruit fly remedy in just a few hours!

3. Real-Kill Indoor Fogger
If you are looking for the best way to get rid of fruit flies and other bugs in your home, an indoor fogger may be a good option for you. With one can of fogger, you can treat up to 2,000 cubic feet of area, and a case comes with 6 cans so you can treat many rooms at once. Once properly set up, the fog will seep into every nook and cranny of the room, getting to places you may not even think to look and nabbing the bugs at their source. Before using the Real-Kill Indoor Fogger, it is imperative that you read and follow the instructions very carefully to prevent any issues. Read tips on how to prepare your kitchen for fumigation here.

Get Rid of Fruit Flies Once & For All
Fruit flies and other pests flying around where they don't belong present more than just an annoyance. It's a sanitary issue, and if a health inspector sees multiple fruit flies, alive or dead, they will not go unmarked. While there are various methods to consider, one thing will always remain important: no matter what method you deem the best option for removal, please always carefully and thoroughly read instructions to ensure you are using each product properly, especially if you are treating e foodservice environment. Fruit flies can be persistent and tough to fully get rid of, but with perseverance and the correct use of fruit fly prevention products, you can get rid of them for good.

Need assistance? We'd be happy to share more information on the products listed here. Talk to an expert today!