Have you ever seen more fruit flies zipping around your kitchen soon after you have brought home a bunch of bananas? You are not alone. Many homeowners notice a spike in pest activity whenever bananas are in the house, lending to the widespread idea that bananas are unique insect magnets. But is this coincidence, or is there real science to this fruity phenomenon? You will find out.
While we discuss pests, do not forget to get in touch with Nashville exterminators, who can help you remove pests permanently. In this article, we are going to unwrap this pop kitchen myth and see what is really going on with bananas and your pests.
Do Bananas Attract More Bugs?
Absolutely, bananas are a fruit that attracts significantly more bugs than many other types of fruit, and there is considerable scientific evidence to back this up. As it ripens, a banana releases a complex plume of more than 100 volatile compounds, many of which are potent attractants for certain types of insects.
The main offender is a compound called isoamyl acetate, which is responsible for bananas’ signature odor. This substance serves as a potent lure for fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster), which can sense it from incredible distances. Studies have shown that fruit flies can smell banana compounds up to 300 feet away—which is likely why they seem to come from nowhere when you bring bananas home.
What is more interesting is the timing. As they ripen and start to ferment, bananas emit more and more ethyl acetate and alcohols, which are especially appealing to fruit flies and other insects, according to a 2019 study in the Journal of Chemical Ecology. That is why a brinier banana will attract more pests than one that’s perfectly yellow or green.
The figures are startling: Ripe bananas release about three times as much volatile compound as apples do and nearly twice as much as oranges. A study showed that when exposed to ripening bananas versus other common fruits, fruit fly populations increased in the laboratory by 82% in the banana treatment.
This attraction is not only found in fruit flies, but also in ants, fungus gnats, and certain species of beetles, which are attracted to bananas’ sugar-laden, aromatic profile. So pest control stats show, for example, that homes that store bananas on the counter are 40% more likely than homes that refrigerate (or do not buy) bananas to detect minor fruit fly infestations.
Why Is Banana So Convenient For Pests?
Some of the common reasons why pests are attracted to bananas include:
- They have a high sugar content: When ripe, bananas contain as much as 18% sugar, making them an ideal source of energy for insects. Research shows that most household pests can smell 4% sugar concentrations.
- They have Soft, penetrable skin: Whereas apples or oranges have tougher exteriors, banana peels become gradually softer as the fruit ripens, making it easier for small insects to burrow in and reach the edible fruit.
- Ethylene production: The natural process of bananas producing ethylene gas as they ripen not only speeds up the ripening process but also increases the release of aromatic compounds that attract insects. One ripening banana can produce up to 700 nanoliters of ethylene per kilogram per hour.
- Moisture content: Bananas are about 75% water. Thus, they offer pests not only a meal but also hydration. Insects can pick up on moisture gradients, going toward food sources with high moisture content.
- Fermentation on the brain: As bananas blacken, natural yeast starts fermenting the sugars, creating alcohols that fruit flies find especially alluring. This process starts when the bananas are around 80% ripe.
- Surface texture: The slightly sticky surface of banana peels produces a perfect landing for insects; studies have found that bugs can grip banana surfaces 30% better than other deep-fruit surfaces.
