Flies, those buzzing, bothersome insects, have been a global nuisance for millennia. More than just annoying, flies are vectors of disease, capable of transmitting pathogens that impact human health. Common houseflies, often labeled “filth flies,” thrive in unsanitary environments like decaying food, animal waste, and garbage, making them a significant hygiene concern.
The rapid life cycle of a fly, from egg to adult in as little as ten days, means a minor fly issue can quickly escalate into a full-blown infestation. Long-term fly extermination hinges on robust sanitation practices and effective exclusion methods.
This guide will equip you with the knowledge to identify different fly species and implement proven strategies for How To Exterminate Flies effectively in and around your home.
How to Get Rid of Flies
Understanding Fly Infestations: Why Extermination is Key
Before diving into methods for how to exterminate flies, it’s crucial to understand why these pests are problematic and what attracts them to your property. Flies aren’t just a seasonal annoyance; they pose genuine health risks and can indicate underlying sanitation issues.
The Problem with Flies: Health and Nuisance
Flies are more than just irritating; they are carriers of over 100 different kinds of diseases. Their feeding habits, which include garbage, feces, and rotting organic matter, make them perfect vectors for bacteria, viruses, and parasites. When flies land on food preparation surfaces or directly on your meals, they can transfer these harmful pathogens, leading to illnesses such as:
- Food poisoning: Flies can spread bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli, common culprits in foodborne illnesses.
- Dysentery: Transmitted through fecal contamination, flies can carry the bacteria responsible for dysentery.
- Typhoid fever: Flies can contribute to the spread of Salmonella typhi, the bacteria causing typhoid fever, especially in areas with poor sanitation.
- Cholera: In regions where cholera is prevalent, flies can mechanically transmit the bacteria Vibrio cholerae.
- Eye infections: Flies can spread bacteria that cause conjunctivitis and other eye infections.
Beyond disease transmission, the sheer presence of flies can be disruptive and unpleasant, especially in homes, restaurants, and food processing facilities. A fly infestation can damage reputations, impact hygiene standards, and reduce overall quality of life.
Identifying Common Fly Species for Targeted Extermination
Effective fly extermination often depends on identifying the type of fly you’re dealing with. Different species have different habits and breeding grounds, influencing the best approach to get rid of them. Here are some common types you might encounter:
- House Flies (Filth Flies): The most common type, medium-sized, grayish, and known for buzzing around garbage and food. They are strong fliers and can enter homes easily.
- Fruit Flies (Small Flies): Tiny, reddish-brown flies often seen hovering around overripe fruit, fermenting liquids, and garbage disposals. They reproduce rapidly.
- Drain Flies (Small Flies): Small, fuzzy, dark-colored flies that breed in drains and sewers. Often seen in bathrooms and kitchens.
- Blow Flies (Filth Flies): Larger than house flies, metallic blue or green, attracted to decaying meat and carcasses.
- Flesh Flies (Filth Flies): Similar in size to blow flies, grayish with stripes on their thorax, also attracted to decaying meat and animal waste.
- Stable Flies (Biting Flies): Resemble house flies but have piercing mouthparts and bite mammals, including humans, for blood. Often found near livestock.
- Horse Flies (Biting Flies): Large, stout-bodied flies, females inflict painful bites to obtain blood. Common in rural areas and near water.
Get Rid of Flies
Effective Strategies for Fly Extermination
A comprehensive approach to how to exterminate flies involves several key strategies working in conjunction. These methods focus on eliminating attractants, preventing entry, and directly controlling fly populations.
1. Sanitation: The Cornerstone of Fly Extermination
Sanitation is the most critical aspect of long-term fly control. By eliminating breeding sites and food sources, you make your property less attractive to flies and disrupt their life cycle. Here are essential sanitation practices:
- Manage Garbage Properly:
- Use garbage cans with tight-fitting lids, both indoors and outdoors.
- Empty garbage cans frequently, especially kitchen waste.
- Clean garbage cans regularly with soap and water, and occasionally with a bleach solution to eliminate odors and residue.
- Keep outdoor garbage cans away from doors and windows to minimize fly attraction near your home.
- Clean Up Pet Waste:
- Pick up pet feces from your yard promptly. Flies are strongly attracted to animal waste for breeding.
- Dispose of pet waste in sealed bags and garbage cans.
- Address Decaying Organic Matter:
- Compost piles should be located away from the house and properly managed to minimize odors and fly breeding. Ensure compost is turned regularly and covered.
- Clean up spilled food and drinks immediately, both indoors and outdoors.
- Remove rotting fruits and vegetables from gardens and under fruit trees.
- Clear away decaying plant matter, straw, or animal bedding from around your property.
- Maintain Clean Drains:
- Clean kitchen and bathroom drains regularly to remove organic buildup that attracts drain flies. Use drain cleaners or enzymatic drain gels like Invade Bio Treatment Gel to break down organic matter.
- Ensure proper drainage around your property to eliminate standing water sources where flies can breed.
- Indoor Cleaning Practices:
- Wipe down kitchen counters, tables, and floors daily to remove food residue.
- Clean up spills immediately.
- Store food in airtight containers to prevent fly access.
- Regularly clean under appliances where food debris can accumulate.
2. Exclusion: Preventing Flies from Entering Your Home
Preventing flies from entering your home is the next crucial step in effective extermination. Physical barriers and preventative measures can significantly reduce fly populations indoors:
- Seal Entry Points:
- Inspect your home’s exterior for cracks and crevices in walls, foundations, and around pipes and wiring. Seal these openings with caulk or sealant.
- Repair or replace damaged window and door frames.
- Install and Maintain Screens:
- Ensure all windows and doors have screens that are in good repair.
- Use fine mesh screens to effectively block even small flies.
- Repair any tears or holes in screens promptly.
- Door and Window Management:
- Keep doors and windows closed as much as possible, especially during peak fly activity times (daytime).
- Consider using self-closing door mechanisms.
- Air Curtains:
- For doorways that must remain open in commercial settings or homes, install air curtains. These create a downward stream of air that deters flying insects from entering. Ensure the air velocity is sufficient (at least 1,600 feet per minute) for effective fly exclusion.
3. Fly Traps: Direct Fly Population Control
Fly traps are valuable tools for directly reducing fly populations both indoors and outdoors. They work by attracting flies and then trapping or killing them. Different types of traps are available:
- Outdoor Fly Traps:
- Baited Traps: These traps use strong attractants, often based on putrescent (rotting) egg solids or other foul-smelling substances that are irresistible to flies. Flies enter the trap and become trapped in liquid or on sticky surfaces.
- Placement: Position outdoor fly traps strategically around the perimeter of your property, away from your house to draw flies away from living areas. Replace traps regularly as they fill up.
- Indoor Fly Traps:
- Fly Lights (UV Light Traps): These traps use ultraviolet light to attract flies to an electrified grid or a sticky glue board. Effective for indoor commercial and residential use, especially in kitchens and food areas. Fly lights are popular in commercial settings.
- Glue Traps (Fly Paper/Sticky Strips): Simple and non-toxic, these sticky strips or papers trap flies that land on them. Hang them in areas with high fly activity.
- DIY Bottle Traps: You can make effective traps using plastic bottles or jars with sweet attractants like apple cider vinegar, wine, or sugar water mixed with dish soap (see natural remedies below).
4. Insecticides: Chemical Fly Control Options
Insecticides should be used judiciously as part of an integrated pest management approach, often after sanitation and exclusion methods have been implemented. Various insecticide formulations are available for fly extermination:
- Residual Insecticides: Liquid concentrates or insecticide dusts can be applied to surfaces where flies land and rest, providing longer-term control. Follow label instructions carefully for safe application. Consider liquid concentrates or insecticide dust.
- Aerosol Sprays: Pyrethrin-based aerosols provide quick knockdown of adult flies. Use as directed and ventilate treated areas. Pyrethrin aerosols are a good option for immediate control.
- Fogging Materials: Foggers can be used in enclosed spaces to disperse insecticide fog, reaching flies in cracks and crevices. Use with caution and follow safety guidelines.
- Fly Baits: Fly baits contain attractants combined with insecticides. They are available in granular, liquid, or station forms. Place baits strategically where flies congregate. Explore fly baits for targeted control.
Important Note: Always read and follow the label directions and safety precautions when using any insecticide product.
Natural Remedies for Fly Extermination: Eco-Friendly Options
For those seeking natural and less toxic methods for how to exterminate flies, several effective remedies exist, particularly for indoor use and outdoor perimeter control:
1. Rotten Food Trap: DIY Fly Bait
Repurpose overripe or rotting food into a simple fly trap:
- Place rotten fruit or meat scraps in a container.
- Cover the container tightly with plastic wrap.
- Puncture small holes in the plastic wrap, large enough for flies to enter.
- Set the trap in fly-infested areas. Flies will enter, become trapped, and eventually die. Discard and repeat as needed.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar and Dish Soap Trap: Sweet and Deadly
This popular DIY trap uses apple cider vinegar as an attractant and dish soap to break surface tension:
- Fill a jar or disposable container with apple cider vinegar.
- Add a few drops of dish soap.
- You can add a bit of sugar to enhance attraction, though vinegar is usually sufficient.
- Leave the trap open in fly-prone areas. Flies are drawn to the vinegar, fall into the liquid, and drown due to the dish soap.
3. Red Wine Trap: Recycle Leftovers for Fly Control
Don’t discard leftover red wine; it can be an effective fly trap:
- Pour a small amount of red wine into a bottle or jar.
- Add a few drops of dish soap.
- Leave the container open or cover loosely with plastic wrap with small holes.
- Flies are attracted to the wine’s aroma, enter, and get trapped by the soapy water.
4. Essential Oils as Fly Repellents: Natural Deterrents
Certain essential oils have strong scents that flies dislike, acting as natural repellents:
- Effective Oils: Clove, pine, lemongrass, eucalyptus, lavender, mint, rosemary, peppermint, tea tree, and citronella oils. Lemon eucalyptus oil is particularly effective.
- Application Methods:
- DIY Fly Paper: Apply a few drops of essential oil to strips of cloth or paper and hang them in areas where flies are a problem.
- Essential Oil Sprays: Mix a few drops of essential oil with water in a spray bottle and spray around patios, decks, doorways, and other fly-prone areas.
- Diffusers: Use essential oil diffusers indoors to disperse repellent scents.
5. Fans and Candles: Physical and Scent-Based Repellents
Simple household items can also deter flies:
- Fans: Flies prefer calm air. The moving air from fans disrupts their flight and can deter them from lingering in an area, especially outdoors.
- Citronella Candles: Citronella candles, commonly used to repel mosquitoes, also work to repel flies, particularly in smaller outdoor spaces like patios and decks.
Preventing Future Fly Infestations: Long-Term Strategies
Sustained fly control is about more than just extermination; it’s about preventing flies from returning. Consistent preventative measures are key:
- Maintain Strict Sanitation: Regularly practice all the sanitation measures outlined earlier, both indoors and outdoors.
- Routine Home Maintenance: Regularly inspect and seal any new cracks or openings in your home’s structure. Maintain screens and door seals.
- Proper Waste Management: Ensure consistent and proper disposal of garbage, pet waste, and organic debris.
- Monitor for Fly Activity: Be vigilant for signs of fly activity. Address any emerging issues promptly before they escalate into infestations.
Fly Control Products: Your Toolkit for a Fly-Free Home
Take decisive action to reclaim your space from flies. Explore a wide selection of fly control products designed for both indoor and outdoor environments. Whether you’re battling house flies, fruit flies, or any other type, find solutions ranging from eco-friendly options to advanced traps and repellents. Each product is chosen for its effectiveness and safety, ensuring you can confidently tackle your fly problem. Don’t let flies dominate your home any longer.
Shop Fly Control Products
FAQs About Fly Extermination
What attracts flies to my home or garden?
Flies are primarily attracted to food sources, including food waste, overripe fruits, spills, pet waste, and decaying organic matter. Standing water and moisture can also attract certain types of flies, like drain flies and gnats.
Are there any natural remedies to get rid of flies?
Yes, effective natural remedies include vinegar traps, wine traps, fruit traps, essential oil repellents (like lavender, eucalyptus, peppermint), fans to disrupt fly flight, and citronella candles for outdoor deterrence.
How can I prevent flies from entering my house?
Prevent flies from entering by sealing cracks and openings, installing and maintaining window and door screens, keeping doors closed, especially during peak fly hours, and using air curtains for frequently opened doorways.
How do I get rid of flies in my kitchen/food areas safely?
For safe fly control in kitchens, use non-toxic methods like sticky traps, UV light traps, vinegar traps, and maintain rigorous sanitation. Keep food stored in airtight containers and regularly clean food preparation areas.
Can flies transmit diseases?
Yes, flies are known carriers of numerous diseases, including food poisoning, dysentery, typhoid fever, and cholera. They can transmit pathogens through physical contact with food and surfaces. Maintaining hygiene and controlling fly populations is crucial for health protection.
