Phorid Flies Vs. Fruit Flies – 7 Differences No One Told

The significant difference between phorid flies and fruit flies is their body shape. Phorid flies have a hump in the thorax region. In contrast, the fruit flies have a flat back.

When the phorid flies are stationary, they look curled up from the top. Another difference between the two is that the fruit flies have red eyes.

However, there are other differences as well. Read on to know six more differences between them.

Phorid Flies Vs. Fruit Flies – The Differences

Difference In Size

An adult phorid fly grows up to 5 mm in size. Fruit flies are smaller than the phorid flies, growing only up to 3 mm.

However, the slight difference in size is not noticeable to the naked eye. 

Difference In Color

Phorid flies are tan to dark brown. Fruit flies are yellowish. There’s a yellow stain on the fruit flies’ heads and abdomen.

On looking closely at the fruit flies, the yellow color on the head makes the red eyes of these fruit flies more noticeable.

Difference Between Their Heads

Phorid flies’ heads are small and blackish. In contrast, the fruit flies’ heads look bigger than phorid flies’.

Fruit flies also have yellow stains on their head. 

Difference In Body Shape

The phorid flies can resemble a fat mosquito because their abdomens are long. In contrast, the fruit fly’s shape is more like house flies.

Difference In Their Lifespan

Phorid flies’ lifespan is short. They live only for a week. Fruit flies outlive phorid flies by a week. So, the lifespan of fruit flies is two weeks.

However, temperature and humidity can play a role in increasing both of their lifespans. In more humid climates, both can survive longer than their average lifespan.

Difference In Breeding Habits

Phorid flies lay 750 eggs in her lifetime. The fruit flies lay 500 eggs. So, phorid flies multiply faster than fruit flies.

Hence, phorid flies infestation spreads faster than the fruit flies infestation. 

There’s also a difference between their preferred egg-laying places. 

Phorid flies lay eggs on any damp and decaying matter, including rotting dead animals. So, they can lay eggs in the clogged drains too.

The fruit flies prefer to lay eggs in ripe and rotting vegetables and fruits.

Phorid Flies Vs. Fruit Flies – The Similarities

• Both phorid flies and drain flies don’t bite humans and pets
• Both are active during the warm periods of the year, starting from spring to late fall
• Both can lay eggs in moist soil beds of potted plants and the cat litter box
• Both can cause food poisoning as they carry germs
• Both are damp flies. They’re attracted to places like the kitchen, bathroom, and basement
• Both don’t die in winter. They overwinter by hiding in garbage areas.

Solutions For Phorid Flies And Fruit Flies

Phorid and fruit flies in the home are the signs of waste piling up in your property and clogged drains in your bathroom and kitchen.

To get rid of either of these flies, you must remove those damp wastes from your home and property.

So, remove organic debris like rotting pieces of wood and foliage. Also, keep the trash bins clean as they lay eggs in them.

When the eggs hatch in the trash bins, you’ll notice maggots which are the larvae of these flies. 

These maggots or larvae will take a few days to turn into adult flies. 

But keep in mind that these maggots are also food for many bugs like roaches, spiders, and ants.

So, if the trash bins are full of larvae of these flies, they’ll attract these bugs. Cleaning the trash bins with bleach eliminates maggots.

To stop phorid flies and fruit flies from making your yard the breeding ground for them, you must control the moisture levels of the yard too.

Don’t allow stagnant water in the outdoor area of your home. Fill all the potholes and get rid of tires lying outdoors holding water.

Stagnant water increases the dampness of your yard, which attracts these flies.

Also, stagnant water is a perfect place for mosquitoes to lay eggs.

Both phorid flies and fruit flies are a nuisance. And their numbers inside your home can quickly shoot up. 

An increase in their numbers can cause them to sneak inside electrical appliances like the fridge.

The wetness and food wastes stuck in the dishwashers can also make phorid and fruit flies infest dishwashers.

You can use a fly spray on these flies to get rid of them. Another alternative is by using fly traps. 

Both these flies are attracted to light. So, they’ll fly inside your home through open doors and windows. 

Hence, installing bug zappers in the doorways and patio deck is always a good idea. 

Window screens with fine mesh also stop these bugs from flying inside your home.