Why are dead fruit flies and gnats in my refrigerator and freezer?

There are many reasons for finding dead fruit flies and gnats in our refrigerators. These fruit flies feed on rotten and spoiled fruits and vegetables.

Also, there are many ways for these insects to enter your refrigerators and feed themselves on rotten fruits & vegetables.

This article will learn about why dead fruit flies and gnats are inside the refrigerator and freezer. Let’s also discuss the cause of death and the lifespan of these insects inside the fridge or freezer.

But let’s first examine how these flies and gnats get inside the refrigerator and freezer.

How do fruit flies and gnats enter the refrigerator and freezer?

There are many ways for these insects to enter our refrigerator and freezer. Some of the main reasons are:

  • Fruit flies and gnats mostly enter the refrigerators through the door of the fridge. Sometimes we keep the fridge and freezer open for a long time, and these insects take the opportunity to enter the refrigerator to feed their stomach.
  • Sometimes we even forget to close the door of the refrigerator. During this period, these insects do not miss out on the opportunity to enter the fridge. We don’t even notice when these flies enter our refrigerators because they are so tiny and fast.
  • Another reason causing the entry of these fruit flies and gnats is the oversized basket in our fridge that stops the refrigerator’s door from closing completely. Since fruit flies and gnats are tiny in size, even a tiny opening is enough for them to enter the fridge.
  • After entering the refrigerator, these insects travel to the freezer through the vent. Though, some insects directly enter through the doors of the freezer. 
  • Though most fruit flies enter through the door, the main entry of gnats inside the refrigerators is through the vegetables and fruits that we put inside the fridge. The gnats’ remains are attached to the fruits and vegetables before putting them in the refrigerator.

One of the best ways to stop this is by setting up a trap in the kitchen:

How long do fruit flies and gnats live inside the refrigerator?

Whenever you open your fridge, you mostly find dead flies and gnats. This is because these insects do not survive long enough in cold temperatures.

However, the lifespan of fruit flies and gnats is different inside the fridge. A fruit fly can survive for six to eight hours inside a refrigerator at standard temperature. However, gnats survive inside the fridge for hardly one minute.

How to prevent fruit flies and gnats from inside the fridge?

Some important ways to prevent fruit flies and gnats from entering your fridge are:

  • Avoid keeping rotten and spoiled fruits and vegetables inside the fridge.
  • Clean the fruits and vegetables properly before putting them inside the refrigerator.
  • Also, you can prevent these bugs from entering your refrigerator by cleaning the gasket of the fridge frequently.

You can also take a look at the 4 ways to get rid of fruit flies at home.

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