It’s a common household nuisance – the persistent buzzing of flies indoors, especially as the weather warms up. One minute your home is fly-free, and the next, you’re swatting at these unwelcome guests. But how exactly do these pesky insects find their way inside? Understanding how flies get into your house is the first step to keeping them out.
Common Fly Entry Points: Where Flies Find Their Way In
Flies aren’t magical; they need physical access to your home. They are opportunistic and can exploit even the smallest openings. Here are the most common ways flies gain entry:
Open Doors and Windows: The Most Obvious Invitation
Open window with a screen
Perhaps the most straightforward entry point is simply leaving doors and windows open. Flies are adept fliers and will readily take advantage of open access, especially when lured by indoor scents or light. This is particularly true during warmer months when you might be tempted to air out your home.
Damaged Screens: Ripped Barriers are Open Doors
Screens on windows and doors are your first line of defense against flies. However, if these screens are ripped, torn, or improperly fitted, they become ineffective. Even small holes can be large enough for flies to squeeze through. Regular inspection and repair of screens are crucial for keeping flies out.
Cracks and Gaps: Tiny Openings, Big Problems
Flies are surprisingly small and can exploit tiny cracks and gaps in your home’s structure. These openings can be found in various locations:
- Around Doors and Windows: Gaps around the frames of doors and windows, especially if weather stripping is old or damaged, provide easy access.
- Vents and Utilities: Entry points for pipes, cables, and vents can have gaps around them that flies can utilize.
- Sealed Pipes: Even where pipes are sealed, small cracks can develop over time, offering entry.
Plumbing Systems: An Unlikely Highway
Certain types of flies, like drain flies, can actually breed within your plumbing system, particularly in drains. While house flies aren’t typically drain breeders, poorly sealed drains or vents can still provide a route into your home.
Following Scents: Lured by Food and Garbage
Flies have a keen sense of smell and are strongly attracted to food odors, especially decaying organic matter. If they can detect these scents emanating from your home through any of the entry points mentioned above, they are more likely to investigate and find a way inside. This includes:
- Pet Food: The smell of pet food, especially if left out in the open, can attract flies.
- Garbage: Uncovered or overflowing garbage cans are a major attractant.
- Outdoor Cooking Areas: Food smells from grills or outdoor dining can draw flies closer to your house, increasing the chance they’ll find an entry point.
Why Flies Are Attracted to Your House: More Than Just Entry
It’s not just about how they get in; it’s also about why they want to be inside. Your home offers several attractions for flies:
Food Sources: A Buffet for Flies
Open window with a screen
House flies are not picky eaters. They are attracted to a wide variety of food sources found in homes, including:
- Human Food: Anything from sugary drinks and fruits to leftovers and crumbs.
- Pet Food: As mentioned, pet food is a strong attractant.
- Garbage and Rotting Organic Matter: Flies thrive on decaying food and waste.
Warmth and Shelter: Comfort Indoors
Flies are cold-blooded and seek warmer environments, especially when outdoor temperatures drop. Your house provides a stable and comfortable climate, particularly during cooler seasons. They may also seek shelter indoors to escape harsh weather conditions like strong winds or heavy rain.
Moisture: Essential for Survival
Flies need moisture to survive and reproduce. Leaky pipes, damp areas, or even condensation can attract flies. Fruit flies, in particular, are drawn to fermenting fruit and moist environments.
Understanding House Flies: Facts and Risks
To effectively prevent flies, it’s helpful to understand a bit more about them:
Housefly Appearance
The common housefly is typically:
- Dark gray in color.
- 1/8 to 1/4 inch long.
- Characterized by six legs, antennae, and a small, oval body with two wings that overlap.
- Their larvae are maggots, creamy white, rice-like creatures often found in decaying matter.
Housefly Diet: Filthy Feeders
House flies have a less-than-appetizing diet. They feed on:
- Garbage
- Manure
- Rotting fruit
- Dead animals
This feeding behavior is what makes them vectors for disease.
Housefly Life Cycle
Open window with a screen
The housefly life cycle consists of four stages: egg, larva (maggot), pupa, and adult. Understanding this cycle can help in targeting control measures. Eggs are laid in decaying organic matter, larvae hatch and feed, pupae develop, and finally, adult flies emerge. The entire cycle can be completed in a short time, especially in warm conditions.
Diseases Spread by Houseflies: A Health Hazard
House flies are more than just a nuisance; they pose a health risk. They are known to carry over 100 pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and parasites. They spread these diseases through:
- Contamination: Flies land on food preparation surfaces, utensils, and food itself, transferring pathogens.
- Defecation and Vomiting: Flies frequently defecate and regurgitate while feeding, further contaminating surfaces and food.
- Egg-laying: They lay eggs in unsanitary places, spreading contamination to breeding sites.
Diseases potentially spread by house flies include salmonella, E. coli, cholera, and typhoid fever, among others.
Effective Fly Prevention and Control: Keeping Flies Out
Preventing flies from entering is always better than dealing with an infestation. Here are effective strategies:
Seal Entry Points: Close the Doors to Flies
- Inspect and Repair Screens: Regularly check window and door screens for tears and holes. Repair or replace damaged screens promptly.
- Seal Cracks and Gaps: Caulk or seal any cracks and gaps around windows, doors, vents, and utility entrances. Pay attention to weather stripping and replace it if it’s worn.
- Door Sweeps: Install door sweeps at the bottom of exterior doors to close gaps.
Maintain Cleanliness: Eliminate Attractants
- Proper Garbage Management: Use trash cans with tight-fitting lids, both indoors and outdoors. Empty indoor trash cans frequently, especially kitchen trash. Clean trash cans regularly to eliminate odors and residue.
- Food Storage: Store food in airtight containers. Don’t leave food or dirty dishes out in the open. Clean up spills and crumbs immediately.
- Pet Waste Management: Clean up pet waste in your yard promptly.
- Clean Drains: Regularly clean drains to prevent drain fly breeding and eliminate organic buildup.
Natural Fly Repellents: Deter Flies Naturally
- Essential Oils: Certain essential oils like peppermint, eucalyptus, and lemongrass are known to repel flies. Diffuse these oils or create a spray to deter flies.
- Fly-Repelling Plants: Planting basil, mint, lavender, or marigolds around your home can naturally repel flies.
- Vinegar Traps: Apple cider vinegar traps can attract and trap flies.
Professional Pest Control: When to Call for Help
If you have a persistent fly problem or suspect a significant infestation, it’s best to contact a professional pest control company. They can:
- Identify the Source: Professionals can pinpoint the source of the infestation, including hidden breeding sites.
- Provide Targeted Treatments: They can use appropriate and safe treatments to eliminate flies and prevent future infestations.
- Offer Expert Advice: Pest control experts can provide tailored advice on preventing flies based on your specific home and situation.
Differentiating House Flies from Cluster Flies: Are They Different?
While this article primarily focuses on house flies, you might also encounter cluster flies. While they look similar, there are key differences:
- Size: Cluster flies are noticeably larger than house flies.
- Behavior: Cluster flies are clumsier fliers and tend to “cluster” together, especially around windows.
- Disease Transmission: Cluster flies are less likely to transmit diseases as they don’t feed on the same filthy materials as house flies. They primarily feed on plant matter.
- Entry into Homes: Cluster flies often enter homes in the fall to overwinter, often congregating in attics and wall voids.
While cluster flies are less of a health concern, they can still be a nuisance due to their sheer numbers. Prevention methods are similar for both types of flies – sealing entry points is key.
By understanding how flies get into your house and taking proactive steps to prevent entry and eliminate attractants, you can significantly reduce fly problems and enjoy a more pest-free home. If infestations persist, professional pest control services are available to provide effective solutions.
