Flies: More Than Just Annoying
Flies are all over the place, and they have a huge effect on our health and the environment. There are at least 120,000 different types of flies around the world that we know about, and probably a lot more that we haven’t even discovered yet. One thing’s for sure: flies can reproduce super quickly and spread diseases.
Here, we’ll dig into the different types of flies, especially the ones you’re likely to find buzzing around your home or business. We’ll break them down into categories like filth flies (the ones that love decaying stuff) and biting flies (the ones that want your blood!).
Knowing how flies live and act is key to keeping them away. Effective fly control means targeting where they breed.
We’ll cover how to identify them, their habits, and how to manage them. That includes things like keeping things clean, blocking them from getting in, using traps, and, when necessary, using insecticides.
Small Indoor Flies: Identifying and Managing Common Pests
Pesky flies can quickly turn your home into an irritating place to be. Here’s a look at some common types of flies you might find buzzing around inside.
Fruit Flies
You’ve probably seen these little guys hanging around your fruit bowl. Fruit flies are small, only about 2 to 4 mm long, and often light brown. They’re famous for their bright red eyes and their love of fermenting fruits and veggies. They breed in any kind of decaying organic matter they can find indoors, and a female can lay up to 500 eggs that hatch in just 24 hours.
They love overripe produce, spills that haven’t been cleaned up, and gunk in your garbage disposal. Get rid of overripe fruit and veggies, make sure your trash is disposed of properly, and you’ll be taking steps to get rid of them. The adult lifespan is typically 25 to 30 days.
Phorid Flies
Phorid flies, sometimes called humpbacked flies, also breed in moist, decaying stuff. They can be found in drains, garbage, and, believe it or not, even caskets.
They have a relatively short life cycle, ranging from 14 to 37 days. Like with fruit flies, sanitation is key. Get rid of moisture and decaying organic matter and you’ll be on your way to getting rid of phorid flies.
Drain Flies
Drain flies, also known as moth flies, are drawn to damp areas, especially drains and the microbial films that build up inside them. They lay egg masses of 20 to 100 eggs, and their larval stage lasts 8 to 24 days.
Cleaning your drains with a stiff brush, hot water, and antibacterial drain treatments can be effective. You might also try S-hydroprene (Gentrol) for drain fly control.
Fungus Gnats
Fungus gnats breed in moist potting soil and are attracted to houseplants. Allow your plant soil to dry out between waterings, and get rid of any decomposing plant material you find. They are small and can be a real nuisance in homes and greenhouses.
Fungus gnats are small black flies that are attracted to decaying organic matter in soil.
Large Indoor Flies: Occasional Invaders and Their Significance
While many types of flies are tiny and barely noticeable, some larger flies can find their way indoors. Their presence usually indicates something is amiss, such as a sanitation problem or, worse, a dead animal.
House Flies
House flies are more typically an outdoor pest, but they’re perfectly happy to come inside, and they can carry diseases. They’re fairly easy to spot, being about 1/8 to 1/4 inch long, gray in color, and with four black stripes on their backs. They also have compound red eyes.
House flies are surprisingly athletic. They can travel up to 20 miles from their breeding ground. Even worse, they can transmit over 100 different pathogens, contaminating anything they land on, including your food.
Female house flies are prolific breeders, capable of producing between 350 and 900 eggs in their short lifetimes.
The best way to control house flies is through good sanitation practices. That means taking out the trash regularly and keeping your counters and food prep areas clean and sanitized.
Blow Flies and Flesh Flies
If you find blow flies or flesh flies indoors, especially in their larval form, it could mean there’s a decaying animal carcass somewhere in your home. Adult blow flies are about 1/4 to 7/16 inch long (6 to 11 mm), while flesh flies are a bit bigger, measuring 3/8 to 5/8 inch (10 to 16 mm).
These flies are attracted to decaying organic matter, so the only way to get rid of them is to find and remove whatever dead animal is attracting them.
Soldier Flies and Carrion Flies
Like blow flies and flesh flies, soldier flies and carrion flies found indoors, particularly as larvae, are often a sign of a dead animal somewhere in the building. Soldier fly larvae can be up to an inch long, while adult soldier flies are about 3/4 inch long.
Again, the key to getting rid of these flies is to locate and remove the source of the decaying matter.
Biting Flies: Identification, Risks, and Control
Some flies are more than just a nuisance; they bite. Here’s a look at some common biting flies, the risks they pose, and how to control them.
Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes are probably the best-known biting fly. They’re notorious for spreading diseases like malaria and Zika virus. Mosquitoes need standing water to reproduce, so control measures include getting rid of standing water and using mosquito repellent.
Horse Flies and Deer Flies
Horse flies and deer flies are large biting flies that mostly feed on mammals. Horse flies are generally between 10 and 30 mm in length. Their bites can be painful and irritating, and they’re usually found outside, near water.
Thankfully, horse flies aren’t common indoors. If you’re outside, you can control them by avoiding areas where they’re common and using insect repellent.
Biting Midges and Black Flies
Biting midges and black flies are tiny biting flies that can be quite annoying. Biting midges are usually less than ⅛ inch long, while black flies are between 1 and 5 mm.
You’ll often find these pests near water and in wooded areas. Their bites can cause intense itching and irritation. As with horse flies and deer flies, you can control them by using insect repellent and staying away from areas where they’re common.
Fly Prevention and Control: A Multifaceted Approach
It’s best to keep flies away in the first place. Here are some proven strategies for preventing and controlling fly infestations.
Sanitation: The Foundation of Fly Control
Good sanitation is the single most effective way to prevent flies from taking over your home or yard. Flies are attracted to filth, so regularly removing trash, keeping your counters clean, and storing food in sealed containers can go a long way toward keeping flies away.
Flies also like to breed in spills and decaying organic matter, so clean those up right away. You can also keep flies away by cleaning your sink and tub or shower drains regularly.
Make sure your garbage disposal area is clean, and take out the trash regularly, placing it in covered bins for pickup.
Exclusion: Preventing Fly Entry
Flies can’t make a mess of your house if they can’t get inside, so seal any potential entry points to prevent them from getting in.
Make sure your windows and screens are in good repair and seal any cracks and crevices around your home’s foundation, pipes, and wiring.
Proper screening and caulking are essential for sealing access points on doors, windows, and other openings. Keep doors and windows closed as much as possible.
Trapping and Insecticides: Supplementary Control Methods
Fly traps can be useful for capturing adult flies. Light traps are best for larger flies and should be placed strategically throughout the area.
Bait traps can be used to target breeding sites. You can buy these at the hardware store or make your own.
Insecticides should be used carefully and sparingly, targeting breeding sites and adult flies only when absolutely necessary. Always follow the label instructions carefully when using insecticides.
Summary
If you’re dealing with a fly problem, the most effective way to control it is to combine sanitation, exclusion, and specific treatments. Knowing which type of fly you’re dealing with is crucial for choosing the right treatment methods.
Prevention is key to keeping fly populations down. Keeping your spaces clean and sealing off entry points goes a long way.
When you can’t get rid of an infestation on your own, it’s time to call in the pros. A licensed pest control company can provide effective solutions to help you reclaim your home or business.
By taking these steps, you can create a healthier, more comfortable environment for yourself, your family, your employees, and your customers. Don’t let flies ruin your day!