Dealing with flies buzzing around your home is more than just an annoyance. These pests can carry pathogens that lead to serious illnesses, including food poisoning and dysentery. Keeping flies out is crucial for maintaining a healthy and comfortable living space.
While there are over 110,000 species of flies, only a few become common household pests. According to entomology experts, “filth flies” are the primary culprits, attracted to decomposing organic matter. Understanding their behavior and taking preventive steps is key to effective fly control. There’s no single “magic bullet” solution, but a combination of strategies can significantly reduce fly infestations.
This guide will explore the most effective and natural methods to keep flies out of your house, ensuring a fly-free environment for you and your family.
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Image: A cluster of common house flies, highlighting the nuisance and potential health risks they pose when they invade homes.
Identifying Common Types of Flies in Your Home
Knowing the type of fly you’re dealing with can help you target your fly prevention and control efforts more effectively. While any fly species might wander indoors, some are more frequently encountered in homes than others.
House Flies
House flies are easily recognized by their size, about 1/4 inch long, and the four distinctive dark stripes on their backs. These flies are attracted to decaying organic materials and commonly lay eggs in garbage, compost, and even the residue inside recycling bins.
House flies have a rapid life cycle, especially in warm conditions, reproducing in under a week. A forgotten trash bag before a short trip can quickly lead to a fly larvae problem upon your return.
Blow Flies and Bottle Flies
Blow flies and bottle flies are similar in size to house flies but are distinguished by their metallic sheen, appearing green, blue, or bronze. These flies are attracted to animal waste and carcasses and are strong indicators of potential issues like a dead animal (bird, squirrel, etc.) in hidden areas of your house, such as attics or chimneys, if found in large numbers indoors.
Filth Flies (Drain Flies)
Often called drain flies, these small flies breed in the sludge and decaying matter that accumulates in drain pipes. Resembling tiny moths, drain flies are about 1/16 inch long with hairy, yellow-to-brown-black bodies and wings that they hold over their bodies when at rest. They are typically found in kitchens and bathrooms, near drains and garbage disposals.
Fruit Flies
Fruit flies are small, about 1/8 inch long, and often have red eyes. They are attracted to ripening or fermenting fruits and vegetables, and can be brought into the home on already infested produce or fly in from outside attracted by the scent. Fruit flies lay eggs on the surface of overripe produce, as well as in trash cans, drains, and recycling bins.
Are Flies in the House Harmful?
While most common house flies don’t bite, some types like horse flies and black flies do, and their bites can be painful. More significantly, all flies can spread harmful germs. They are known carriers of pathogens that cause diseases like dysentery, typhoid fever, tuberculosis, food poisoning, and cholera. It’s essential to discard any food that has come into contact with flies to prevent potential illness.
Practical Steps: How to Prevent Flies from Entering Your House
Preventing flies from entering your house is the most effective strategy for fly control. Here are key steps to make your home less inviting to these pests:
Maintain and Repair Window Screens
Window screens are your primary defense against flies and other insects. Regularly inspect your window screens for holes and tears and repair them promptly. Ensure screens fit snugly in window frames, leaving no gaps for flies to sneak through.
Manage Trash Properly
Proper trash management is crucial for preventing fly infestations.
- Indoor Trash: Dispose of rotting produce immediately and avoid leaving food waste, such as fruit peels, on countertops. Take out indoor trash bags at least once a week, or more frequently, to prevent food from decaying and attracting flies.
- Outdoor Trash: Securely tie trash bags and seal them tightly inside garbage cans to contain odors. Position garbage cans far away from house entrances. Keep compost bins as far from the house as possible as well.
- Pet Waste: Clean up pet waste in your yard daily to eliminate another breeding ground for flies.
Regularly Clean Garbage and Recycling Containers
Beyond just removing trash, cleaning your garbage and recycling bins regularly is important. Flies are attracted to fermentation, including residues in beverage cans. Rinse cans and food containers before placing them in recycling or trash bins to reduce attractants. Periodically wash bins with soap and water to eliminate lingering odors and residues.
Protect Food, Especially Outdoors
When eating or cooking outdoors, always protect food. Use fine mesh food covers for picnic dishes. Flies carry pathogens on their bodies and can contaminate food by defecating and regurgitating on it.
Consider using a box fan when dining or relaxing outdoors. Flies dislike moving air, and a sufficient breeze, enough to ruffle hair, can deter them effectively.
Keep Drains Clean and Clear
Flies, particularly drain flies, are attracted to the buildup of organic matter in drains. Clean drains regularly to prevent blockages and remove potential breeding grounds. If you notice buildup, use a long-handled brush to scrub drainpipes thoroughly. Consider using drain cleaners periodically to break down organic matter.
Recognizing Signs of a Fly Problem
If you’re unsure whether you have a fly infestation, be alert for these signs:
- Increased Fly Sightings: A sudden increase in flies indoors can indicate a breeding source nearby.
- Fly Swarms Outdoors: Swarms of flies around your property can signal potential breeding sites that may eventually lead to indoor problems.
- Fly Droppings: Small dark spots on surfaces might be fly droppings.
- Maggots: The presence of maggots is a clear sign of a fly breeding infestation.
Testing for Drain Flies: To confirm drain flies, use a simple trap. Smear petroleum jelly inside a clear container and place it upside down over the drain overnight. Drain flies attempting to emerge will get stuck to the petroleum jelly. If drain flies are present, use a stiff drain brush and drain cleaner to eliminate the sludge buildup.
Debunking Fly Repellent Myths
Many DIY fly repellents lack scientific backing and are ineffective. These include:
- Pungent Soap Bars: Not proven to repel flies.
- Essential Oils: While some scents might be disliked by flies, their repellent effect is minimal and short-lived.
- Sonic Repellent Devices: Scientifically unsupported for fly control.
- Water Bags with Pennies: An internet myth with no repellent properties.
Using insecticides indoors is also not the best long-term solution. Flies can develop resistance to pesticides, and these chemicals address symptoms rather than the source of the infestation. For significant fly problems, identifying and eliminating breeding sources is essential.
Effective Fly Removal Methods
For flies that do make it indoors, simple methods are often the most effective and environmentally friendly:
- Fly Swatters: The classic fly swatter remains a highly effective, pesticide-free method for killing individual flies. Keep sanitizing wipes handy to clean the swatter and the surface after swatting a fly.
- Sticky Fly Traps: Hang sticky traps in garages or near doorways to intercept flies before they enter living areas. While not aesthetically pleasing, they can significantly reduce fly numbers.
Outdoors, focus on eliminating fly food sources and breeding areas. Plants like citronella, lavender, rosemary, catnip, and basil are often cited as natural fly deterrents when planted around outdoor spaces. Switching to yellow outdoor light bulbs can also be helpful, as white lights tend to attract flies. Eliminate any standing water to reduce breeding sites.
By combining these preventative measures and removal techniques, you can effectively keep flies out of your house and maintain a pest-free home.
