Flies, those persistent buzzing insects, have been a common nuisance for centuries. More than just annoying, they pose health risks by transmitting diseases. House flies, in particular, are known as filth flies because they thrive in unsanitary environments like decaying food, animal waste, and garbage.
The rapid life cycle of a fly, from egg to adult in as little as ten days, means a small fly problem can quickly escalate into a major infestation. Effective long-term fly control hinges on diligent sanitation and exclusion practices.
This guide will help you identify different types of flies and provide you with comprehensive strategies to eliminate fly infestations in your home and prevent future problems.
Get Rid of Flies
Effective Fly Control Strategies: Sanitation and Exclusion
The cornerstone of any successful fly control plan is a two-pronged approach: sanitation and exclusion. Sanitation eliminates breeding grounds, while exclusion prevents flies from entering your home in the first place. After implementing these preventative measures, targeted treatments can address any remaining flies.
Sanitation: Eliminating Fly Breeding Grounds
Flies are attracted to and breed in decaying organic matter. Removing these attractants is crucial for long-term control.
- Proper Waste Management:
- Garbage Disposal: Use trash cans with tight-fitting lids and ensure they are emptied regularly. Clean garbage cans frequently, especially in warmer months, using soap and water or a bleach solution to eliminate odors and residue.
- Compost Bins: Keep compost bins away from your house and ensure they are properly sealed. Turn compost regularly to speed up decomposition and reduce fly attraction.
- Pet Waste: Promptly clean up pet waste in your yard. Animal feces are a prime breeding ground for flies.
- Food Storage and Handling:
- Store Food Properly: Keep food, especially fruits and vegetables, stored in airtight containers or in the refrigerator. Do not leave food scraps or leftovers exposed on countertops or tables.
- Clean Spills Immediately: Wipe up any food or drink spills immediately. Sticky residues are highly attractive to flies.
- Clean Drains Regularly: Kitchen and bathroom drains can accumulate organic matter that attracts drain flies. Use drain cleaners or enzymatic drain gels like Invade Bio Treatment Gel to break down this buildup.
- Outdoor Sanitation:
- Clear Yard Debris: Remove decaying plant matter, fallen fruit, and other organic debris from your yard.
- Manage Standing Water: Eliminate standing water in and around your property. Flies can breed in stagnant water sources like clogged gutters, bird baths, and puddles.
Exclusion: Keeping Flies Out of Your Home
Preventing flies from entering your home is just as important as eliminating breeding sites.
- Seal Entry Points:
- Repair Screens: Inspect window and door screens for holes or tears and repair them promptly.
- Weatherstripping and Caulking: Seal cracks and crevices around windows, doors, and foundations with weatherstripping or caulk.
- Door Management:
- Keep Doors Closed: Minimize the time doors are left open, especially during peak fly activity times (daylight hours).
- Air Curtains: For doorways that must remain open in commercial settings or homes, consider installing air curtains. These create a downward stream of air that deters flying insects. Air curtains are most effective at velocities of 1,600 feet per minute or higher.
Fly Control Products and Treatments
While sanitation and exclusion are fundamental, sometimes additional measures are needed to manage existing fly populations. A variety of products are available to help control flies indoors and outdoors.
Indoor Fly Control Products
- Fly Paper and Sticky Traps: These are non-toxic and effective for catching flies. They are coated with an adhesive that traps flies upon contact.
- Fly Light Traps: Fly light traps, especially those with UV lights, are highly attractive to flies. They lure flies to an electrocuted grid or a sticky board, effectively removing them from the environment. These are particularly popular and effective in commercial kitchens and food processing areas.
- Insecticides:
- Aerosol Sprays: Pyrethrin-based aerosol sprays provide a quick knockdown of flies. Use these sparingly and according to label directions.
- Residual Insecticides: Liquid concentrates and insecticide dusts can be applied to surfaces where flies land and rest, providing longer-lasting control.
- Fly Baits: Fly baits contain attractants and insecticides that lure and kill flies. They are available in granular, liquid, and station forms.
Outdoor Fly Control Products
- Fly Traps: Outdoor fly traps are highly effective for managing fly populations in yards and gardens. Many traps use putrescent bait, often made from rotten eggs, to attract flies. Place traps away from your house to avoid drawing flies closer to living areas. Replace traps as they become full.
Natural and DIY Fly Remedies
For those seeking natural and less toxic approaches to fly control, several home remedies can be effective, especially for indoor use.
1. Homemade Rotten Food Fly Trap
Repurpose overripe or rotting fruit and vegetables to create an irresistible trap.
- Instructions: Place rotten food in a container and cover it tightly with plastic wrap. Puncture small holes in the plastic wrap, large enough for flies to enter. Set the trap in fly-prone areas. Flies will be attracted to the decaying food, enter the trap, and become trapped. Dispose of the trap once full of flies and repeat as needed.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar and Dish Soap Trap
This simple trap uses the sweet scent of apple cider vinegar to lure flies, while dish soap breaks the surface tension of the liquid, causing flies to drown.
- Instructions: Fill a jar or disposable container with apple cider vinegar. Add a few drops of dish soap. You can also add a spoonful of sugar to enhance the attractiveness. Place the trap in areas with high fly activity.
3. Red Wine Fly Trap
Don’t discard leftover red wine! It can be repurposed as an effective fly trap.
- Instructions: Pour leftover red wine into a bottle or jar. Add a few drops of dish soap. Cover the opening with plastic wrap and poke small holes. Flies are attracted to the wine, enter the trap, and the dish soap prevents their escape and causes them to drown.
4. Essential Oil Fly Repellents
Certain essential oils possess strong scents that flies find repulsive. These can be used to deter flies naturally.
- Effective Essential Oils: Consider using clove, lemongrass, peppermint, eucalyptus, lavender, citronella, tea tree, rosemary, or pine essential oils. Lemon eucalyptus oil is particularly noted for its effectiveness.
- 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: Dilute essential oils with water in a spray bottle and spray around patios, decks, and other outdoor areas.
- Diffusers: Use essential oil diffusers indoors to repel flies from larger areas.
5. Fans and Citronella Candles
Simple household items can also contribute to fly control, particularly outdoors.
- Fans: Flies prefer calm air and are disoriented by moving air currents. Placing fans in outdoor areas like patios can effectively deter flies.
- Citronella Candles: While primarily known for mosquito control, citronella candles are also effective at repelling flies, especially in confined outdoor spaces.
How to Get Rid of Flies
Identifying Fly Types for Targeted Control
Understanding the type of fly you’re dealing with can help you refine your control strategy. Flies are broadly categorized into filth flies, small flies, and nuisance/biting flies.
Filth Flies
- Characteristics: Filth flies, like house flies, are attracted to decaying organic matter, garbage, and feces. They are vectors for diseases like food poisoning and dysentery due to their feeding habits.
- Control Focus: Emphasize sanitation to eliminate breeding sites and use traps or insecticides in heavily infested areas.
Small Flies
- Characteristics: Small flies (often less than 1/4 inch), such as fruit flies and drain flies, are commonly found in kitchens and food preparation areas. They can also carry disease-causing organisms.
- Control Focus: Focus on sanitation, particularly cleaning drains and properly storing fruits and vegetables. Fruit fly traps are very effective.
Nuisance and Biting Flies
- Characteristics: This category includes flies like stable flies and horse flies, which can deliver painful bites. They breed in decaying organic matter and animal waste.
- Control Focus: Sanitation is key to reduce breeding sites. For biting flies, personal repellents and protective clothing may be necessary, especially outdoors.
Accurate fly identification is a critical first step in implementing the most effective control measures.
Preventing Flies: Proactive Measures
The most effective fly management is prevention. By adopting proactive habits, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of fly infestations.
Maintaining Cleanliness: The Primary Defense
Consistent cleanliness is your best defense against flies.
- Kitchen Hygiene: Keep your kitchen meticulously clean. Regularly wipe down countertops, sinks, and stovetops. Wash dishes promptly and avoid leaving food scraps exposed.
- Floor Cleaning: Sweep or vacuum floors regularly to remove food crumbs and debris.
- Bathroom Cleanliness: Keep bathrooms clean and dry. Address any moisture issues promptly as damp areas can attract certain types of flies.
Waste Management Best Practices
Proper waste disposal is crucial for preventing fly attraction and breeding.
- Regular Garbage Disposal: Empty indoor trash cans daily and outdoor garbage cans at least weekly, more frequently during warm weather.
- Secure Garbage Bins: Ensure all garbage cans have tight-fitting lids to contain odors and prevent fly access.
- Clean Garbage Cans Regularly: Periodically clean garbage cans with a bleach solution to eliminate lingering odors and organic residue.
- Divert Food Waste: Utilize garbage disposals or compost systems to minimize food waste accumulation in trash cans.
Yard Maintenance for Fly Prevention
Extending sanitation efforts to your yard can further reduce fly populations.
- Pet Waste Removal: Pick up pet waste immediately from your yard.
- Manage Vegetation: Keep grass trimmed and remove overgrown vegetation, which can provide harborage for flies.
- Eliminate Standing Water: Address any sources of standing water, such as clogged gutters, leaky hoses, or containers holding water.
Explore Fly Control Products
Ready to take decisive action against flies? Browse our selection of fly control products for both indoor and outdoor use. We offer a comprehensive range of solutions, from natural options to advanced traps and insecticides, to help you effectively manage any fly problem. Shop DIY Pest Control today and reclaim your fly-free environment.
FAQs About Fly Control
What are the main attractants for flies in homes and gardens?
Flies are primarily attracted to decaying organic matter, including food waste, pet waste, compost, overripe fruits and vegetables, and standing water.
Are there effective natural remedies to get rid of flies?
Yes, effective natural remedies include essential oil repellents, vinegar or wine traps, and maintaining cleanliness. Planting fly-repelling plants like basil and lavender can also help outdoors.
How can I prevent flies from entering my house?
Prevent fly entry by sealing cracks and openings, repairing window and door screens, keeping doors closed, and practicing good sanitation to eliminate attractants.
What are safe methods for fly control in kitchens and food areas?
Safe kitchen fly control methods include non-toxic traps like sticky traps and UV light traps, meticulous cleaning, proper food storage in airtight containers, and frequent garbage disposal.
Is there a health risk associated with flies?
Yes, flies can transmit diseases like food poisoning and dysentery by contaminating food and surfaces. Maintaining cleanliness and implementing fly control measures are essential for protecting your health.
