Just Askin': They're everywhere. When will fruit fly populations subside in Ohio?

The Enquirer's Just Askin' series aims to answer the questions that no one seems to have an answer for, not even Google .

It's the time of year to buy some fly traps and put your bananas in the fridge, because fruit flies are in their peak season.

Fruit flies, also known as vinegar flies, are tiny insects that buzz around in search of rotting fruit. They can pop up any time of year, but the risk of an infestation is particularly acute in late summer due to long days and heat.

Here's when to expect fruit fly populations to go down and how to prevent them throughout the year.

When do fruit flies go away in Ohio?

Ohioans can expect fruit flies to be around until late September or early October, according to Ellen Klinger, associate professor of professional practice for Ohio State University's department of entomology. That's because day length triggers them to go into diapause, similar to hibernation.

As the day get shorter in light, flies should enter diapause. That's typically when they are living outside, though. If they're inside the home, they won't have the daylight or temperature cues to know when to sleep for the winter.

It is possible to get a vinegar fly outbreak in the winter, but it's likely because you purchased produce on which fruit flies already laid their eggs, Klinger said.

Here are some tips for getting rid of fruit flies and preventing future issues:

• Find the source and sanitize the area.
• Refrigerate, eat or throw away ripened fruit.
• Take out the trash often.
• Make traps with vinegar, rotting fruit or wine.
• Turn off the lights because light attracts fruit flies.

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This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Just Askin': They're everywhere. When will fruit fly populations subside in Ohio?