What You Need to Know About Flies in Your House

Sweet summertime – there’s nothing better! At least that’s what I think until the flies, ants, and spiders flood my home. Nothing is more frustrating than trying to enjoy a nice summer day with flies constantly swarming your food. Fortunately, this is a relatively common problem with several easy solutions! 

So, why are there so many flies in my house? If you suddenly notice lots of flies in your home, you likely have an infestation in your home or the surrounding yard. Flies are attracted to a variety of things such as spilled drinks, crumbs from dinner, open garbage cans, and even your pet’s poop in the yard. Once flies enter your home, they quickly reproduce, leaving you with a pesky infestation. 

Flies are not welcome houseguests. In addition to being quite a nuisance, they are also potentially dangerous to both humans and pets! For this reason, it is important to rid your home of flies as quickly as possible.

In this post, we will discuss some of the most common ways that flies enter your home as well as the many substances that commonly attract them. Finally, we will share some simple ways to rid your home of flies once and for all! 

How Do Flies Get in Your House?

Like many other pests, flies are sneaky creatures. There are countless ways they enter your home. The most common, however, is through open doors and windows. They don’t need much space though! Flies can enter your home through the smallest crack in a window screen.

Drain flies, a specific type of fly, often enter through the tiniest gaps that form around your pipes. Because there are so many ways for flies to enter your home, it is virtually impossible to prevent these pests completely. The important thing is to create a clean environment in which they are not able to survive and reproduce. 

What Attracts Flies in Your House?

The better question perhaps would be what doesn’t attract flies in your house? This common household pest seems to be attracted to anything and everything.

Most frequently, flies are attracted to spilled drinks, food crumbs, and garbage. While you may think your home is clean, flies will find the smallest speck of food that was left on the floor after dinner! 

Even your attempts to keep a clean home may create further problems! Flies are not dissuaded by your waste.

They are just as attracted to the smallest speck of food in your garbage disposal or your discarded leftovers in the trash can. 

For this reason, it is important to be especially vigilant about properly disposing of waste when you find yourself in the middle of a fly infestation.

Flies in your home are not always a sign of a dirty house! In some cases, flies are attracted to things directly outside your home such as your garbage cans or even pet poop. Unfortunately, these outdoor attractions often result in flies reproducing in close proximity to your home. Inevitably, these flies will move indoors before too long.

Are House Flies Dangerous?

Many, if not most, household pests are just that – pests. However, there are a few, including flies, that do pose a threat to not only your health but the health of your pets! 

Flies Transmit Disease

Many doctors and healthcare professionals are quick to speak to the dangers of common house flies. House flies are one of the filthiest creatures, transmitting over 65 diseases! Two of the most common diseases transmitted by house flies include food poisoning and dysentery. Flies can also carry typhoid fever, cholera, and several other parasites and pathogens.

How do flies carry these diseases? After landing on garbage, manure, and even dead animals, flies then land on the food that you are about to put in your mouth. Gross, right?! Unfortunately, this can lead to illness or disease for both humans and other animals. 

Best Ways to Get Rid of Flies in Your House

Whether you have an occasional fly or your home is infested with flies, there are many ways to rid your home of these unwelcome guests. As with most other pests, it is important to take a multifaceted approach to get rid of flies. 

First, treat the root of the infestation, riding your home of the flies that are present. Second, take steps to maintain your fly-free environment, preventing further infestation. Doing so will not only save you time and money but will also eliminate unnecessary frustration.

1. Keep Your House Clean

The first thing to do when you notice an influx of flies in your home is to conduct a deep clean! Flies are attracted to the smallest crumb or drip and are often drawn to the kitchen and bathroom. It is important, however, that you clean your entire home to get rid of anything that could be contributing to your fly infestation.

Don’t forget to clean your cabinets, pantry, and anywhere else food is stored as oftentimes cans and jars leave a residue that goes unnoticed. 

2. Repel the Flies

Once you have cleaned your home, there are several natural solutions that will repel flies. Some of the most common natural fly repellants include basil, peppermint, citrus, and lavender. While some homeowners opt to use the essential oils that these plants produce, others choose to take advantage of the beauty of nature and decorate their homes or yards with the plants themselves. 

3. Trap the Flies

Utilizing a bait trap kit can help eliminate flies.  Use a trap that will attract the flies and then trap them. You can hand these on your porch or around the perimeter of your property and catch the flies before they enter your home.

4. Maintain Your Yard

As we mentioned previously, a fly infestation in your home may actually be the result of a fly infestation in your yard! To rid your home of flies, it is important to maintain your yard! Dog poop in the yard, overgrown plants and grass, or poorly maintained home exteriors can all attract the unwanted attention of your neighborhood flies. 

5. Make Any Necessary Home Repairs

The most common way that flies enter your home is through cracks in your doors, windows, or screens. If you are dealing with a fly infestation, it is wise to conduct a thorough inspection of your home, making a note of any obvious cracks or tears that you notice. 

Repairing or replacing these damaged areas will go a long way to prevent further fly problems.

6. Work With a Pest Control Professional

Finally, some fly infestations are simply outside of your control. Even if your fly situation seems relatively tame, you may wish to leave the job to experts! Pest control specialists are able to quickly identify the root cause of your fly infestation. Upon doing so, they can implement solutions to both rid your home of flies and prevent a recurrence of the infestation. 

While flies may simply seem like a nuisance, they can create physical illness and harm to you, yourself, and your family. With so many solutions, you can quickly and easily rid your home of those pesky flies!

Related Questions

How many types of flies are there? There are several types of flies, ranging in size and food preference. Some of the most common types of flies include house flies, flesh flies, fruit flies, horse flies, and fungus gnats, to name a few. 

Are there chemical approaches to getting rid of flies? There are, of course, products that are made to rid your home of flies. Without addressing the cause of the fly infestation, however, these products are simply a waste of money. The best way to rid your home of flies is to eliminate possible entry points and reduce possible attractions within your home.