Flies, those buzzing, bothersome insects, have been a human nuisance for ages. More than just annoying, they pose health risks by spreading diseases. Common houseflies, often called filth flies, thrive in unsanitary environments like rotting food, manure, and garbage, making them vectors for pathogens.
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. The most effective long-term solution to get rid of flies is through diligent sanitation and exclusion practices.
This guide will help you identify different types of flies and provide comprehensive strategies to eliminate fly infestations in your home.
Comprehensive Fly Control Management
Effective fly control hinges on two primary strategies: sanitation and exclusion management. Once these foundational steps are in place, a range of insecticides, including residual treatments, aerosols, fogging solutions, and baits, can be employed for further control.
Strategic Fly Control Options
Various products and methods are available for fly control. These include liquid insecticide concentrates, insecticide dusts, fast-acting pyrethrin aerosols, fly light traps, space-treating fogging materials, highly attractive fly baits, and outdoor fly traps designed for area-wide control.
For specific problems like drain flies, commonly found in home and commercial kitchens, Invade Bio Treatment Gel offers an effective solution. This natural, microbe-based product breaks down organic scum buildup in drains, eliminating the flies’ breeding ground.
Fly lights, utilizing specific UV light spectrums, are highly effective at attracting and trapping flies, especially in commercial settings. Commercial fly lights are a popular choice for businesses due to their proven efficacy. Fly glue traps are also readily available for capturing flies.
For detailed information on specific fly types and their control methods, explore resources on Filth Flies, Small Flies, and Nuisance/Biting Flies.
Natural and DIY Remedies to Repel and Kill Flies
Outdoor fly problems often respond well to fly traps. Many outdoor traps utilize attractants made from putrescent ingredients, often rotten eggs, which emit a strong, unpleasant odor to humans but irresistibly lures flies. For indoor fly issues, essential oils and other natural repellents can be effective, particularly in confined spaces.
Fly traps are capable of capturing large numbers of flies and should be replaced as they become full. For severe infestations, consider deploying multiple traps around the perimeter of your property. Position outdoor traps away from your house to prevent inadvertently drawing flies closer to your living areas.
Here are 5 highly effective natural remedies to help you get rid of flies:
1. Homemade Rotten Food Fly Trap
Instead of discarding spoiled food, repurpose it into a fly trap. Place rotten food in a container and tightly cover it with plastic wrap. Create several small holes in the plastic wrap, just large enough for flies to enter. Position the container in areas with high fly activity. Flies will be attracted to the decaying food, enter the trap, and become stuck. Once trapped flies have died, dispose of the container and repeat the process as needed.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar and Dish Soap Fly Trap
A popular and effective DIY fly trap is the apple cider vinegar trap. In a disposable container, mix water, a spoonful of sugar, a squirt of dish soap, and a few tablespoons of apple cider vinegar. Gently stir the mixture without creating excessive bubbles.
Place the container in a fly-prone area. The sweet scent of apple cider vinegar attracts flies, while the dish soap reduces surface tension, causing flies to drown when they land on the liquid surface. Replenish or replace the trap as needed until the fly problem is resolved.
3. Red Wine Fly Trap
Don’t discard leftover red wine; it can be used to trap flies. Pour leftover red wine into a container, add a few drops of dish soap, and cover the container tightly with plastic wrap.
Poke small holes in the plastic wrap to allow flies to enter. Flies are drawn to the aroma of red wine and will enter the trap seeking the source. The dish soap will trap and drown the flies, preventing their escape.
4. Essential Oils as Natural Fly Repellents
Essential oils with strong, pungent fragrances can effectively repel flies. Scents like clove, pine, lemongrass, eucalyptus, lavender, mint, rosemary, peppermint, tea tree, and citronella are known to be particularly offensive to flies, acting as natural deterrents.
Lemon eucalyptus essential oil is especially noted for its effectiveness as a natural fly repellent. To deter flies from your property’s perimeter, apply a few drops of these oils to strips of cloth to create DIY fly paper. Alternatively, use a spray bottle to apply diluted essential oil mixtures to outdoor areas like decks and patios.
5. Fans and Citronella Candles for Outdoor Fly Control
For outdoor fly control, especially in smaller spaces, consider using fans. Flies prefer calm air for flying, and the constant movement of air from a fan disorients them, making it difficult for them to land and linger. Citronella candles are another effective natural deterrent for outdoor flies. While commonly used for mosquito control, they can also effectively repel flies, particularly in confined outdoor settings.
Identifying Fly Types for Targeted Control
Accurate identification of the fly species infesting your home is crucial for implementing the most effective control strategies. Flies are broadly categorized into filth flies, small flies, and nuisance/biting flies, each with distinct characteristics and habits.
Filth Flies
Filth flies, including common house flies, are more than just a nuisance; they represent a significant health hazard to humans and animals. Their feeding and breeding habits in garbage, manure, and decaying matter facilitate the spread of bacteria and disease-causing organisms. Filth flies readily contaminate food and food preparation surfaces. House flies, for example, are known vectors for diseases like food poisoning and dysentery.
COMMON TYPES OF FILTH FLIES:
- House Flies
- Blow Flies
- Flesh Flies
Small Flies
Small flies, often less than 1/4 inch in size, are frequently found in kitchens and food handling areas. Like filth flies, they can carry and transmit disease-causing organisms. Common examples include fruit flies and drain flies.
COMMON TYPES OF SMALL FLIES:
- Fruit Flies
- Drain Flies
- Phorid Flies
- Fungus Gnats
- Moth Flies
- Sphaerocerid Flies
Nuisance and Biting Flies
Many fly species are simply nuisances, while others inflict bites. These flies often breed in decaying organic matter and animal waste and can transmit bacteria and viruses. Biting flies, such as stable flies and horse flies, feed on mammalian blood, delivering a painful bite.
COMMON TYPES OF NUISANCE AND BITING FLIES:
- Stable Flies
- Horse Flies
- Deer Flies
- Biting Midges
Correctly identifying the type of fly you are dealing with is a critical first step in effective fly eradication.
Preventing Flies from Entering Your Home
As with most pest management, prevention is paramount. Keeping your home and surrounding areas clean is the best defense against fly infestations. Focus particularly on maintaining a clean kitchen, storing food properly, and managing waste effectively.
Sanitation: The Cornerstone of Fly Prevention
Sanitation is fundamental to any successful fly management program. The primary goal of sanitation is to eliminate or minimize breeding sites where fly larvae can develop. It’s equally important to remove attractants for adult flies, such as garbage and animal waste. Moisture is a key factor in fly breeding, so ensuring good drainage and reducing standing water is also crucial. Without adequate water sources, flies will struggle to survive and reproduce.
Decomposing Organic Waste: A Major Fly Attractant
Decomposing organic waste is a powerful attractant for flies. They are drawn to plant and animal-based materials like compost, rotting fruits and vegetables, and animal feces, providing ideal sites for laying eggs. The hatched eggs develop into maggots (larvae), which quickly mature into adult flies. Eliminating these sources is essential for preventing fly infestations.
- Regularly clean garbage cans with a bleach solution. Keep compost bins covered and, if possible, away from the house.
- Use probiotic cleaners like Invade Bio Foam to treat organic debris in dumpsters and garbage cans. This helps break down waste and reduce fly attraction. Ensure garbage cans have tight-fitting lids and are located as far from doors as possible.
- Repair or replace damaged window and door screens. Use fine mesh screens on all building openings. For doors that must remain open in commercial settings, install air curtains with a velocity of 1,600 feet per minute or higher to effectively prevent fly entry.
- Promptly pick up pet waste from yards. Flies readily breed in animal waste due to its moisture content and organic matter.
- Regularly wipe down kitchen surfaces, especially those that come into contact with food.
- Remove dead rodents or birds from your property. Flies will lay eggs on decomposing carcasses, leading to maggot infestations and subsequent fly problems.
- Avoid overwatering indoor potted plants. Saturated soil provides a breeding ground for fungus gnats. Ensure plant pots are well-drained.
- Maintain clean outdoor areas, removing soiled flower bedding, decaying plants, straw, and animal matter to minimize fly attractants and breeding sites.
Explore Our Fly Control Products
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FAQs About Effective Fly Control
What Commonly Attracts Flies to Homes and Gardens?
Flies are primarily attracted to food waste, pet excrement, overripe fruits, and standing water sources. Minimizing these attractants through consistent cleanliness, prompt garbage disposal, and eliminating standing water can significantly deter fly infestations.
Are There Effective Natural Remedies for Getting Rid of Flies?
Yes, several natural remedies are effective. These include using essential oil sprays (lavender, eucalyptus), setting up vinegar or wine traps, and strategically planting fly-repelling plants like basil and lavender around your home’s perimeter.
What Are the Best Preventative Measures to Keep Flies Out of My House?
Prevent flies from entering your home by sealing cracks and crevices, installing fine-mesh screens on windows and doors, practicing diligent waste management, and keeping doors closed as much as possible, especially during peak fly activity times.
How Can I Safely Eliminate Flies in Kitchens and Food Preparation Areas?
For safe fly elimination in kitchens and food areas, use non-toxic methods such as sticky traps or UV light traps. Maintain strict cleanliness, store food in airtight containers, and dispose of garbage regularly and promptly.
Is There a Risk of Disease Transmission from Flies?
Yes, flies are known to transmit various diseases, including food poisoning and dysentery, by contaminating food and surfaces. Protect your household’s health by maintaining high standards of cleanliness, implementing effective fly control measures, and ensuring food is properly covered and stored.
