Flies are one of the most common, annoying, germ-carrying insects. Learn how you can keep them out of your house safely and easily.
Flies are one of the most common and annoying insect pests that can invade your home. These germ-carrying insects usually lay their eggs in excrement, decaying animal tissue or garbage. Each female lays 100 to 200 eggs. These eggs hatch into maggots in one day and then pupate before maturing into adults. The adult flies live several weeks and can fly as far away as 80 feet from their original hatching site. Most flies die in the winter but enough pupae survive to hatch when the weather warms up. If you would like to keep flies out of your house, here is the information you will need to deter these annoying insects.
The fly uses its two thick, short antennae between its eyes to smell decaying substances. It feeds by depositing a drop of digestive liquid on its food, sucking it back up and leaving a residue, which may contain disease-causing organisms from previous meals. Disease is also transmitted on the fly's sticky footpads and hairy body.
Since flies delight in consuming refuse, garbage, and rotting meat it is very important that you eliminate anything in your yard or around your house that could be a breeding ground for these insects. Keep your yard clean and free from decaying leaves, manure, garbage, and any decomposing material. If you have large animal pets such as horses, clean the stables or barns weekly and arrange to have the manure disposed of. If at all possible large animals should be housed at a distance from your home.
Installing and maintaining screening in the home can also successfully control flies. Mount screens at each window and before each door. The window screen size should be small enough to block flies but not too small to prevent air circulation. Screens can also be sprayed with a fly repellent to provide extra protection from flies. The fly repellent should be reapplied every six weeks to ensure maximum effectiveness.
Another fly control method is to use space sprays with rapid knockdown effect and residual surface sprays. Many hardware stores sell pressurized poisonous fly killing mists that can be sprayed on flies. The sprays kill rapidly and are low in toxicity to humans. The mists must hit the target fly in order to be effective in eliminating the insect. Pressurized foggers are also available for large rooms, sheds, garages, and barns. Surface or residual sprays can be used on entryways, windowsills, light fixtures, walls, and screening. The sprays are effective even when they have dried on the surfaces since they leave a poisonous fly killing coating. Surface sprays provide more long-term protection against flies but are slower to knock them down when compared to the space sprays.
Using hanging fly killers that emit toxic vapors can also deter flies. However, they should be used with caution. Do not hang them in the kitchen, near food or close to dining areas. Read warning labels carefully. Sticky flypapers can also be hung before doors and other areas that are easily accessed by flies. You can also purchase electronic traps that attract houseflies and kill them on contact.
Small fruit flies can be eliminated by practicing good household sanitation. This includes keeping under sink cupboards clean and uncluttered. Wash mops, cleaning rags, and trash containers frequently. During the warmer months of the year, keep fruit in the refrigerator or in sealed containers. Be sure to clean spaces in-between kitchen appliances and under sinks frequently. You should also use plastic, sealable trash, and garbage containers.
Flies are persistent, noisy, germ-carrying insects but they can be safely controlled. Keeping flies out of your home will not only give you peace of mind but it will contribute to the health of your family.
