House flies are a common nuisance, but understanding How Do House Flies Get In The House is the first step to keeping them out, and flyermedia.net is here to help. Implementing effective prevention strategies, along with practical tips for control and elimination, can ensure a fly-free environment and maintain a clean and healthy living space. Explore fly control services, prevention tips, and discover how to keep these unwanted guests at bay, and check the pest control options at flyermedia.net.
1. Understanding House Fly Behavior
House flies, scientifically known as Musca domestica, are ubiquitous pests found in homes and businesses worldwide. Before diving into how they enter your home, it’s essential to understand their basic behavior and biology.
1.1 What Attracts House Flies?
House flies are attracted to a variety of organic materials, including:
- Food Waste: Uncovered garbage cans, compost piles, and leftover food scraps are prime attractants.
- Animal Waste: Pet feces and farm animal manure provide breeding grounds and food sources.
- Moisture: Damp areas such as leaky pipes or standing water offer ideal conditions for fly larvae to thrive.
- Sweet Substances: Sugary spills, fruit juices, and sweet-smelling plants can draw flies indoors.
- Decaying Matter: Rotting fruits, vegetables, and dead animals emit odors that attract flies from considerable distances.
1.2 Where Do House Flies Come From?
The life cycle of a house fly consists of four stages: egg, larva (maggot), pupa, and adult. Understanding this cycle is crucial for effective pest control:
- Eggs: Flies lay their eggs in decaying organic matter, such as garbage or manure.
- Larvae (Maggots): The eggs hatch into larvae, commonly known as maggots, which feed voraciously on the surrounding organic material.
- Pupae: After a period of feeding, the larvae transform into pupae, which are encased in a hard shell.
- Adults: Finally, the pupae hatch into adult flies, ready to reproduce and continue the cycle.
According to research from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, understanding insect lifecycles is crucial for developing effective pest management strategies.
2. Common Entry Points for House Flies
House flies are opportunistic pests and can enter your home through a variety of entry points. Identifying and sealing these entry points is essential for preventing infestations.
2.1 Open Doors and Windows
The most obvious entry point for house flies is through open doors and windows. Flies can easily fly into your home, especially if they are attracted by food odors or indoor lighting.
- Solution: Ensure that all doors and windows have screens in good repair. Keep doors closed as much as possible, especially during peak fly season. Consider using air curtains or plastic strip doors in commercial settings to prevent flies from entering.
2.2 Damaged Screens
Even small tears or holes in window and door screens can provide an easy entry point for house flies. Regularly inspect and repair or replace damaged screens to keep flies out.
- Solution: Conduct regular inspections of all screens in your home, paying close attention to corners and edges. Patch any holes or tears with screen repair kits, or replace the entire screen if necessary.
2.3 Cracks and Gaps
Cracks and gaps in the foundation, walls, or around doors and windows can provide entry points for house flies. Seal these openings with caulk or weather stripping to prevent flies from entering.
- Solution: Inspect the exterior of your home for cracks and gaps. Use caulk to seal small openings and weather stripping to seal gaps around doors and windows. Consider using expanding foam for larger gaps in the foundation.
2.4 Vents and Utilities
Flies can enter your home through vents, such as dryer vents, bathroom vents, and attic vents, as well as through openings around utility pipes and cables.
- Solution: Cover all vents with fine mesh screens to prevent flies from entering. Seal any gaps around utility pipes and cables with caulk or sealant. Regularly clean vents to remove any accumulated debris that could attract flies.
2.5 Plumbing Systems
Drain flies, a type of small fly, are known to breed in the moist organic matter that accumulates in drains. These flies can enter your home through plumbing systems, particularly if drains are not properly maintained.
- Solution: Regularly clean drains with a drain cleaner or enzymatic cleaner to remove organic buildup. Ensure that all drain traps are properly functioning to prevent flies from emerging from the plumbing system.
2.6 Hitching a Ride
Flies can sometimes enter your home by hitching a ride on objects or materials brought indoors, such as grocery bags, potted plants, or firewood.
- Solution: Inspect all items brought into your home for flies or fly larvae. Store firewood away from the house and inspect it before bringing it indoors. Be cautious when bringing in potted plants, as they can harbor fly eggs or larvae in the soil.
3. Fly Prevention Strategies
Preventing house flies from entering your home is more effective than trying to eliminate them once they have already established themselves. Here are some proactive strategies to keep flies at bay.
3.1 Maintain a Clean Environment
Cleanliness is key to preventing fly infestations. Regularly clean and sanitize your home, paying particular attention to areas where flies are likely to be attracted.
- Kitchen: Clean up spills and crumbs immediately. Store food in airtight containers and regularly clean out the refrigerator and pantry.
- Garbage Disposal: Empty garbage cans regularly and keep them tightly sealed. Clean garbage cans with soap and water to remove food residue.
- Pet Areas: Clean up pet feces promptly and regularly clean pet food and water bowls.
- Outdoor Areas: Remove any decaying organic matter from your yard, such as fallen fruit or leaves.
3.2 Proper Waste Management
Proper waste management is crucial for preventing fly infestations. Ensure that all garbage is properly contained and disposed of in a timely manner.
- Garbage Cans: Use garbage cans with tight-fitting lids to prevent flies from accessing food waste.
- Composting: If you compost, maintain your compost pile properly to prevent it from becoming a breeding ground for flies.
- Recycling: Rinse out all bottles and cans before placing them in your recycling container to remove any food residue that could attract flies.
3.3 Use Fly Traps
Fly traps can be an effective way to capture and kill flies indoors. There are several types of fly traps available, including:
- Sticky Traps: These traps use a sticky surface to capture flies. They are non-toxic and can be placed in areas where flies are commonly seen.
- Light Traps: These traps use ultraviolet light to attract flies, which are then electrocuted or trapped on a sticky surface.
- Bait Traps: These traps use bait to attract flies, which are then trapped inside the container.
3.4 Natural Repellents
Certain natural substances can repel flies and help keep them away from your home.
- Essential Oils: Essential oils such as peppermint, eucalyptus, and lavender can repel flies. Dilute a few drops of essential oil in water and spray it around your home, or use an essential oil diffuser.
- Herbs: Planting herbs such as basil, mint, and rosemary around your home can help repel flies.
- Vinegar: Place a bowl of apple cider vinegar near areas where flies are common. The vinegar will attract flies, which will then drown in the liquid.
3.5 Professional Pest Control
If you have a severe fly infestation or are unable to control the problem on your own, consider hiring a professional pest control company. A professional exterminator can identify the source of the infestation and implement effective control measures to eliminate the flies and prevent them from returning.
4. Understanding Fly Species
While house flies are the most common type of fly found in homes, there are several other species of flies that can also become pests. Understanding the different types of flies and their behavior can help you target your control efforts more effectively.
4.1 Fruit Flies
Fruit flies are small flies that are attracted to ripe or fermenting fruits and vegetables. They are commonly found in kitchens and pantries, where they can quickly multiply and become a nuisance.
- Control: Store fruits and vegetables in the refrigerator or in airtight containers. Clean up spills and crumbs immediately and regularly clean drains to remove any organic buildup that could attract fruit flies.
4.2 Drain Flies
Drain flies, also known as moth flies or sewer flies, are small, fuzzy flies that breed in the moist organic matter that accumulates in drains and sewers. They are commonly found in bathrooms and kitchens, where they can be a nuisance.
- Control: Regularly clean drains with a drain cleaner or enzymatic cleaner to remove organic buildup. Ensure that all drain traps are properly functioning to prevent flies from emerging from the plumbing system.
4.3 Cluster Flies
Cluster flies are larger than house flies and are often found clustering together in large numbers, particularly in attics and wall voids. They are attracted to warmth and often enter homes in the fall to overwinter.
- Control: Seal any cracks and gaps in the exterior of your home to prevent cluster flies from entering. Consider hiring a professional pest control company to treat infestations in attics and wall voids.
4.4 Blow Flies
Blow flies, also known as carrion flies, are attracted to decaying organic matter, such as dead animals and garbage. They are often found near dumpsters and compost piles and can enter homes in search of food sources.
- Control: Ensure that all garbage is properly contained and disposed of in a timely manner. Remove any dead animals from your property and clean up any decaying organic matter that could attract blow flies.
5. Housefly Control Measures
Here are effective methods to eliminate houseflies from your home and prevent their return:
5.1 Keep a Clean House
Maintaining cleanliness is the first line of defense. Here are some essential cleaning tips:
- Change your kitchen trash often: Emptying the trash regularly prevents the accumulation of food waste that attracts flies.
- Clean out your kitchen trash can regularly: Scrubbing the trash can with disinfectant removes lingering odors and residue.
- Cover all food and drinks: Exposed food and drinks are magnets for flies.
- Wipe up any spills and crumbs from the table or countertop: Immediate cleanup prevents flies from finding a food source.
- Make sure there are tight lids on outdoor trash cans: Secure lids keep flies out of your garbage.
- Fix any broken seals, vents, or torn screens inside your house: Repairing these entry points prevents flies from getting inside.
- Rinse out all bottles and cans before placing them in your recycling container: Removing sugary residue reduces fly attraction.
- Clean up your yard too, including dog waste: Pet waste is a breeding ground for flies.
- Dispose of any food lying around: Overripe or discarded food is a major attractant.
- Scrub your outdoor grill and remove any bits of food that are in the grill: Grills often accumulate food debris that attracts flies.
5.2 Use Biological Controls
Introducing natural predators can help control the housefly population:
- Spiders and Wasps: These predators prey on houseflies. Consider allowing them to live in areas where they won’t bother you.
- Parasitic Wasps: These wasps lay their eggs inside housefly pupae, killing them. They are harmless to humans.
- Predator Plants: Venus flytraps and other carnivorous plants can capture and digest flies.
5.3 Call Your Local Exterminator
For severe infestations, professional help is often necessary.
- Professional Assessment: Exterminators can identify breeding grounds and entry points that are not easily visible.
- Targeted Treatments: Professionals use safe and effective treatments to eliminate flies.
- Prevention Strategies: They can also provide advice on preventing future infestations.
Warning: Always follow safety precautions when using pesticides. Keep them out of reach of children and pets, and dispose of containers properly.
6. Houseflies: Spreading Disease
Many people ask, “Are houseflies dangerous?”
Yes, actually they are. Houseflies carry over 100 pathogens that they spread when they land on your hamburger or when they lay eggs on your dog’s waste. Plus, these filthy flies constantly defecate—wherever they happen to land, including your kitchen island.
Additionally, houseflies will eat a piece of food or garbage, throw it back up, and then eat it again in liquefied form. When flies go through this eating process on your counter or table, they’re spreading bacteria.
Houseflies lay their eggs in the same places where they eat. These pests will lay eggs on garbage, manure (including any dog or cat feces), or dead animals (also known as carrion).
As stated earlier, houseflies carry over 100 diseases, such as salmonella, malaria, and tuberculosis, among many others.
Of course, houseflies don’t only hang out in your home. They will also pester you and your friends when you’re enjoying your backyard. If you have a cookout, you may spend half your time swatting flies away from your grill.
Will houseflies bite you? Nope. But other types of flies will bite, including the horsefly, mosquito (yes, mosquitoes are part of the fly family), and the stable fly. If your home is in a rural area, you may notice more houseflies and other fly species.
7. Environmental Factors Influencing Fly Entry
Several environmental factors can influence how house flies get into your home. Understanding these factors can help you take proactive measures to prevent fly infestations.
7.1 Temperature
Temperature plays a significant role in fly behavior. During warm summer months, flies are more active and tend to seek out cooler environments, such as your air-conditioned home. Conversely, during cooler months, flies may seek out warmer environments, such as your heated home.
- Prevention: Keep your home properly ventilated to prevent flies from being attracted to indoor temperatures. Use screens on windows and doors to prevent flies from entering when they are open.
7.2 Wind Currents
Wind currents can also influence fly entry. Flies may be carried by the wind into your home through open doors or windows. They may also be attracted to the scent of food or other organic materials carried on the wind.
- Prevention: Close doors and windows during windy conditions to prevent flies from being blown into your home. Use air curtains or plastic strip doors in commercial settings to prevent flies from entering when doors are open.
7.3 Humidity
Humidity can create favorable conditions for fly breeding and development. Flies thrive in moist environments, and high humidity can promote the growth of mold and bacteria, which serve as food sources for fly larvae.
- Prevention: Keep your home properly ventilated to reduce humidity levels. Repair any leaks or water damage to prevent the growth of mold and bacteria. Use dehumidifiers in damp areas to reduce humidity.
7.4 Sunlight
Sunlight can attract flies to your home, particularly if there are food odors or other attractants nearby. Flies may be drawn to the warmth of sunlight and may enter your home through open doors or windows.
- Prevention: Keep your home shaded during peak sunlight hours to reduce fly attraction. Use curtains or blinds to block sunlight and prevent flies from entering.
8. Addressing Common Misconceptions About House Flies
There are several common misconceptions about house flies that can hinder effective pest control efforts. Addressing these misconceptions can help you take more targeted and effective measures to prevent and eliminate fly infestations.
8.1 Misconception: Flies Are Only a Problem in Dirty Homes
While cleanliness is important for preventing fly infestations, flies can also be a problem in clean homes. Flies are attracted to a variety of organic materials, including food waste, animal waste, and decaying matter, which can be present even in well-maintained homes.
- Reality: Flies can enter your home through a variety of entry points, regardless of cleanliness. Maintaining a clean environment is important, but it is also essential to seal entry points and implement other prevention strategies to keep flies out.
8.2 Misconception: Flies Are Harmless Pests
Flies are often dismissed as mere nuisances, but they can actually pose a significant health risk. Flies carry a variety of pathogens that can cause disease, including bacteria, viruses, and parasites.
- Reality: Flies can transmit diseases such as salmonella, E. coli, and dysentery. They can also contaminate food and surfaces with their feces and vomit. Taking steps to control fly populations is essential for protecting your health and the health of your family.
8.3 Misconception: Fly Sprays Are the Only Effective Control Method
While fly sprays can be effective for killing flies on contact, they are not the only effective control method. In fact, relying solely on fly sprays can be counterproductive, as it can lead to the development of insecticide resistance in fly populations.
- Reality: A comprehensive fly control strategy should include a variety of methods, such as maintaining cleanliness, sealing entry points, using fly traps, and implementing natural repellents. Fly sprays should be used sparingly and in conjunction with other control measures.
8.4 Misconception: Flies Only Live for a Day
Flies have a relatively short lifespan, but they can live for several weeks under favorable conditions. During this time, they can reproduce rapidly and create large infestations.
- Reality: The lifespan of a house fly is typically 15 to 30 days, but they can lay hundreds of eggs during this time. Taking steps to control fly populations early is essential for preventing infestations from becoming overwhelming.
9. Fly Control Solutions
- Professional Pest Control Services: Green Giant Home Pest Control offers comprehensive pest control solutions tailored to your specific needs. They use environmentally friendly methods to eliminate pests and prevent future infestations.
- DIY Fly Control Products: Several DIY fly control products are available, including fly traps, fly sprays, and natural repellents. These products can be effective for controlling small fly populations, but professional help may be needed for larger infestations.
- Integrated Pest Management (IPM): IPM is a holistic approach to pest control that focuses on preventing pest problems before they occur. It involves using a combination of methods, such as maintaining cleanliness, sealing entry points, and using natural repellents, to create an environment that is inhospitable to pests.
10. FAQ: How Do House Flies Get In The House
10.1. What are the most common entry points for house flies in a home?
House flies commonly enter through open doors and windows, damaged screens, cracks in walls, gaps around pipes, and vents.
10.2. How can I prevent house flies from entering my home?
To prevent house flies, seal cracks and gaps, repair damaged screens, keep doors and windows closed or screened, and maintain cleanliness, especially around food areas.
10.3. What smells attract house flies?
House flies are attracted to the smell of decaying organic matter, such as food waste, garbage, and pet feces.
10.4. Are house flies dangerous?
Yes, house flies can carry and transmit diseases like salmonella, dysentery, and E. coli.
10.5. How do I get rid of a house fly infestation?
To eliminate a house fly infestation, use fly traps, insecticides, and ensure proper sanitation to remove breeding sources.
10.6. What are some natural ways to repel house flies?
Natural repellents include essential oils like peppermint and lavender, as well as herbs like basil and rosemary.
10.7. Can house flies breed indoors?
Yes, house flies can breed indoors if they find suitable breeding sites, such as garbage, decaying food, or moist areas.
10.8. How quickly do house flies reproduce?
House flies can complete their life cycle in as little as 7 to 10 days under optimal conditions, leading to rapid reproduction.
10.9. What role does humidity play in house fly infestations?
High humidity can create favorable conditions for house fly breeding and development, promoting the growth of mold and bacteria that serve as food sources for larvae.
10.10. When should I call a professional pest control service for house flies?
If you have a severe infestation, cannot identify the breeding source, or DIY methods are ineffective, it’s best to call a professional pest control service.
Addressing these misconceptions and implementing the right control strategies can help you effectively prevent and eliminate fly infestations in your home.
By understanding how house flies get into your home and implementing effective prevention and control strategies, you can keep these unwanted guests at bay and maintain a clean and healthy living space. Remember to maintain cleanliness, seal entry points, use fly traps and natural repellents, and consider professional help for severe infestations.
Keep your home protected from flies and other common pests with a visit to flyermedia.net and discover all the possibilities that you can get with our pest control program. Contact us to find out more. Address: 600 S Clyde Morris Blvd, Daytona Beach, FL 32114, United States. Phone: +1 (386) 226-6000.
