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July 22, 2020Pests

How to Get Rid of House Flies

If you’ve been hearing buzzing in your home, followed by a large “THUD” and a nasty fly trying to get out of your home through your window, we’ve got some tips for you on how to get rid of house flies. 

House flies can’t bite you, but they can spread as many as 65 diseases to humans, some of which can be dangerous. They land on and feed on garbage, sewage waste, and animal feces. When they land on food to feed (including your own food), they defecate, spreading bacteria and diseases with ease. YUCK!

So how are flies getting into your home?

Typically, when you find house flies inside, it’s because they made it through cracks around windows, doors and vents. They’re especially likely to enter your home if you have a trash can near your home or if you don’t pick up pet feces right away.

Did you know: one pair of flies can produce more than 1 million offspring through their offsprings’ offspring in just a few weeks! 

How to repel house flies

• Limit access to your home as much as possibly by keeping doors and windows closed
• Screen windows, doors, and vents, and check to make sure screens are fully intact 
• Check for openings around windows, doors, and vents, and patch them up as soon as possible. This may include replacing weather stripping 
• Keep trash cans clean and securely closed – this goes for trash cans inside and outside!
• Empty indoor trash regularly, especially if it fills up with a lot of food
• Clean trash cans when you notice any food particles, spilling, or lingering smells
• Keep surfaces in your home clean
• Remove standing water in or near your home – including around pipes and sinks
• Store produce and condiments in the refrigerator 
• Keep other food items in airtight containers with tight-fitting lids
• Always rinse glasses as soon as you’re done using them
• Clean up spills immediately and do a quick sweep of your floors regularly 
• Remove debris such as dead leaves from your yard
• If you compost, keep it at least 20 feet away from your home 
• Don’t be afraid of using a fly swatter or some fly traps to catch any stragglers once you’ve eradicated the issue

Don’t let house flies get you down! They can certainly feel like a nuisance during the summer when you swear you’ve already gotten rid of three and you find three more buzzing around your window. But follow these steps and create these clean habits, and you’ll find yourself fly-free soon. If you need any more help or tips for your home, give us a call!