How to get rid of flies?

How to get rid of flies?

How to get rid of flies in the house quickly?

Flies are winged insects with one pair of wings. They belong to one of the largest orders of insects referred to as ‘Diptera.’ This order consists of an estimated 1,000,000 species of ‘true flies’ of which about 125,000 species have been described. Out of the two wings possessed by flies, one is for flight while the other is for balance.

Some flies are regarded as household pests, invading homes and other structures worldwide. Most indoor flies cause a nuisance when indoors, but a few of them can harm humans and pets. Filth flies such as houseflies can spread diseases like food poisoning and dysentery. Some flies, including stable flies, typically feed on human and animal blood, inflicting painful bites. Some species of flies have been reported to transmit life-threatening diseases to humans and animals worldwide.

Read on to learn more about the common flies found in homes, how to get rid of flies outside, and how to get rid of flies inside a building.

What are the Common Small Flies Found in Buildings?

House-infesting flies that are generally less than 4 mm (one-eighth inch) in length when in the adult stage are put under the group of small flies. These flies can breed and complete their life cycle inside human homes and other structures. Most of these flies are outdoor species that get indoors through open windows or doors in people’s houses. The common small indoor flies that infest buildings include fruit flies, drain flies, phorid flies, and fungus gnats.

What are the Common Large Flies Found in Buildings?

House-infesting flies generally above ¼ inch in length at adulthood are classified as large flies. These large flies are typically an outdoor species that may enter homes and commercial buildings, usually through open windows and doors. While they may also be regarded as indoor pests, these larger flies can rarely breed and complete their life cycle indoors. The three common large indoor flies found in homes and commercial buildings include house flies, cluster flies, stable flies, flesh flies, and blowflies.

The Four Common Flies Found in Homes

1. Fruit flies (Drosophila)

Fruit flies are common household pests in homes, restaurants, and other places where foods are usually served. They are also known as ‘vinegar flies’ and are regarded as one of the smallest flies found in homes. They range in size from 2.0 mm to 2.5 mm, and they’re usually light-brown in color with bright red eyes.

These flies are distinguished from other small flies found in homes by the feathery bristle (arista) located on the tips of their third antennal segment. Fruit flies infestation usually occurs during the summer – this is the period of the year fruit flies are most active outdoors. However, an indoor infestation can occur at any period of the year.

They have varied food preferences, but they love to breed on fruits that are about to go rotten (especially banana), spoiling vegetables (especially rotting onions or potatoes), and almost any other decaying fruits and vegetables. Fruit flies are attracted to any sweet or fermented liquids, including spilled syrup, open wine bottles, beer, soda pop, and vinegar. Indoor fruit flies are often found in moist areas in human homes, such as under commercial kitchen equipment, bars, or cracked tile or flooring.

Their larvae typically feed on yeasts associated with decaying fruits and vegetables.

2. Phorid flies (Phoridae)

Phorid flies are another small indoor flies that commonly invade residential and commercial buildings. They are similar to fruit flies (both have the same size) but distinguished by their hump-backed appearance. Phorid flies range in color from tan to dark-brown or black and have dark veins that run along the front edge of their two wings.

Their unique movement pattern, which involves repeated running and stopping before taking their wings, gives these small flies another name, ‘scuttle flies.’ The flies take between 14 to 37 days to undergo complete metamorphosis from egg to adult stage.

They are filth flies that usually breed on moist, decaying materials, including decomposing animal carcasses, garbage, drain pipes, garbage, dung, and feces. Due to their potential of picking germs from these unsanitary sites, their presence in your space is highly undesirable.

Their larva often feeds on a variety of decaying organic matter.

3. Drain flies (Psychodidaespp)

Drain flies are small flies of about 2 to 5 mm () 1/16 to 1/5 inch) long when fully grown. Their fuzzy, moth-like appearance inspires its other common name: Moth flies. They are occasional household insect pests that prefer to live near drains of sinks and bathtubs. Adult drain flies are often seen resting on bathroom walls and are attracted to outdoor lighting, especially during the night. They are recognized by their broad, hairy wings and dark gray to black color. Once indoors, these flies breed in a protected place in human homes, including under broken or cracked tile and near dirty floor drain.

4. House flies (Musca domestica)

The common house flies are about one-fourth inch long when fully grown. They are among the most common flies known to share space with humans. They are generally gray in color with four dark stripes on the thorax (middle section) of their body.

House flies can fly for one or two miles in search of food and suitable breeding sites to lay their eggs. Adult house flies are usually found around garbage and animal wastes where they lay their eggs, and they can live for up to three weeks.

Due to their filthy feeding habits, houseflies are considered serious public health pests and carriers of disease-causing organisms. Thus, their presence in homes, restaurants, or any other structure that deals with food is deemed unsanitary.

How to Get Rid of Flies in the House Quickly

Good sanitation, eliminating attractants, and sealing/caulking of opening flies may use to get indoors could help prevent the ingress of these insect pests. However, the best advice to getting rid of flies quickly from your space is to involve a professional pest control company specializing in the extermination of flies. Only a pest control pro can help identify the species of flies infesting your area and develop reliable and effective treatment plans to get rid of them.

Here at Provincial Pest Control (PPC), we have experts who know how to get rid of fruit flies and other fly species that invade the human environment. We have a firm understanding of the biology and feeding habits of all flies commonly found in homes and commercial buildings. We can recommend the best methods of preventing small and large flies problems.

Flies Exterminator Near Me (Canada)

If you’re in Canada and looking for a pest control company that knows how to get rid of houseflies at home naturally, Provincial Pest Control (PCC) can help.

We are a reliable pest control company that serves homes and businesses in major cities and towns across Canada. Our expert-level services are available for individuals in Canadian cities, including Ottawa, Ontario, Toronto, and Vaughan. Our experts know how to get rid of small flies and larger flies that have become a nuisance in your space.

When you notice a particular fly in your space, call Provincial Pest Control (PPC) immediately for free fly inspection and same-day deployment of customized treatments. You can request for your free pest inspection (in which we help inspect your building for more than 30 pests) here.