Are you tired of seeing pesky flies buzzing around your home? You’re not alone. House flies are a common problem that many homeowners face. Not only are they annoying, but they can also spread germs and bacteria around your living space. So, what can you do to get rid of them? In this helpful guide, we’ll discuss house flies and provide tips and tricks for handling them.
Know Your Enemy
Before you can effectively get rid of house flies, it’s important to understand their behavior and lifecycle. House flies are commonly found in warmer climates and are attracted to food sources such as garbage, feces, and rotting organic materials. They have a short lifespan of approximately two weeks but can lay up to 500 eggs during that time.
These eggs hatch into larvae (maggots) and then pupate into adult flies. This quick reproduction cycle makes it important to act quickly in order to eliminate house flies from your home. Additionally, house flies are known for carrying and spreading diseases such as E.coli and Salmonella, making them a health hazard.
House Flies
The common housefly is the most widespread species of house fly and can be found all over the world. They are approximately 1/4 inch in length and have a gray color with four dark stripes on their thorax. These flies are attracted to any type of food source, including pet waste, garbage, and even sugary drinks left out. They are most active during the day and rest at night.
Fruit Flies
Fruit flies are smaller than common house flies, measuring in at only 1/8 inch long. They have a brownish-yellow color with red eyes and are commonly found near fruits and vegetables that have started to rot. These flies are known for their ability to reproduce quickly, as a female can lay up to 500 eggs at a time. Fruit flies are most active during the day and prefer warm and moist environments.
Cluster Flies
Cluster flies get their name from their habit of gathering in large clusters, often in attics and other secluded areas. They have a dark gray color with golden hairs on their thorax, giving them a slightly metallic appearance. Unlike common house flies, cluster flies are more active during the cooler months and often seek shelter inside homes in search of warmth. They do not pose as much of a health risk as other types of house flies but can still be a nuisance.
Keep Your Home Clean
House flies love breeding in dirty and cluttered environments. Therefore, it’s crucial to maintain a clean home to keep them away. Start by wiping down all surfaces with a disinfectant cleaner regularly. Ensure that the kitchen counters, floors, and even dishes are clean, and there are no food particles or crumbs remaining on them. Similarly, ensure that all trash cans are emptied regularly, and the bin lids are tightly sealed. Moreover, mop and vacuum your floors to remove any spills or food particles.
Cover Your Food
Common house flies are attracted to food and other organic materials. Therefore, if you leave your food uncovered, it attracts them to your space, and they will likely contaminate your food. Therefore, always keep your food covered, especially when you’re not eating. Use food covers or mesh screens to protect your food from flies. Furthermore, when you’re eating outside, ensure that your drinks have a lid to prevent flies from landing in them.
Keep Windows and Doors Shut
One of the common pathways for house flies to enter your home is through open windows and doors. Therefore, keep your windows and doors shut as much as possible, especially during the peak fly season. If you must have your windows open, use mesh screens or mosquito nets to keep the flies out. Similarly, invest in door sweeps to prevent them from entering through doors.
Use Natural Fly Repellents
There are many natural remedies that can repel common house flies without using chemicals. Some of these include eucalyptus oil, lavender oil, peppermint oil, and lemongrass oil. You can use these oils as sprays or place them on cotton wool balls around your home. Similarly, vinegar, cloves, and sliced onions and lemon pieces can also repel flies.
Use Fly Traps
If you still experience fly problems in your home, invest in fly traps. You can find different types of traps, including sticky traps and light traps. Sticky traps use paper coated with a sticky substance that attracts the flies, and they get stuck on the paper. Similarly, light traps use ultraviolet light to attract flies and kill them. However, it’s essential to ensure that you place fly traps in the right places, away from your living spaces.
When to Call an Expert
If you have tried all the above methods and still can’t seem to get rid of house flies, it may be time to call in a professional pest control service, such as Area Wide Exterminators. They have specialized knowledge and tools to effectively eliminate fly infestations from your home. They can also provide preventative measures to keep future fly problems at bay. Additionally, if you or anyone in your household has allergies or an immune system disorder, it’s best to seek professional help in dealing with the issue.
Common house flies are a nuisance, but with the right steps, you can keep them at bay. Keeping your home clean, covering your food, and keeping windows and doors shut can help prevent flies from entering your home. Additionally, natural fly repellents and fly traps are effective means of keeping your home fly-free. By following these tips and tricks, you can ensure a cleaner, healthier home by avoiding pest infestations caused by common house flies. Best of luck!
