Why Are There So Many Flies in My House? 3 Effective Ways to Get Rid of Them ASAP

Though houseflies are generally harmless, their presence can lead to unpleasant smells and they’re generally considered unsanitary to have around, especially in the kitchen where they’re most likely to gather. Having flies in the house doesn’t necessarily mean you have a muddy home, but preventing fly infestations often involves being more vigilant about spaces you may have overlooked. We’ve gathered some useful tips and information to lend a hand curb this issue in your home.

Why Are There So Many Flies in My House?

Although flies have a brief life span, they breed quickly, meaning flies can be a continuous problem at certain times of the year or in specific conditions. Once you’re able to identify the cause or causes, this can be helpful in trying to prevent and address future infestations.

Decaying Matter

Flies are attracted to decaying matter. Think of fruit flies and how they suddenly appear, swarming around ripe bananas or apples in a bowl on your counter. Houseflies are attracted to all kinds of decaying matter including meat, vegetables, fruit, feces, soil, and household dirt. Once they find some decaying matter, they will lay eggs on it and soon enough you will have maggots and more flies.

Warm Temperatures and Weather

Perishable foods decay faster in warmer temperatures, and the smells and gases produced attract flies; this is why there tend to be more flies around in the summer. Additionally, the heat is a more conducive environment for flies to breed in.

Rapid Breeding

Flies breed quickly, and in the right conditions it may seem like flies are a constant presence. If you find there is a constant rotation of flies in your home, you will want to figure out the cause and try to address it.

Preventing Flies

In addition to improving cleanliness, lowering temperatures, and preventing flies from accessing food, using fly traps can prevent adult flies from laying eggs. We’ve rounded up some basic methods for preventing and deterring flies in your home.

Keep Your Home Clean

The number one preventive method for discouraging flies is having a spotless home. This is particularly essential in the kitchen and bathroom and having a straightforward cleaning schedule can be helpful to stay on track. Clean areas like sink drains where decaying food waste might linger: baking soda and vinegar are a good basic drain-freshening combo.

Using quick, effortless methods like spray cleaners, discarding trash regularly, storing laundry in hampers, not leaving dishes in the sink, and refraining from wearing shoes indoors are all ways to improve cleanliness indoors.

Prevent Entry

Making sure your windows don’t have any openings to the outside can lend a hand prevent flies from entering. Be sure all window and door screens are in good repair with no holes, and that windows and doors create a tight seal when shut.

Reduce Temperature

Flies like warmth. If you’re seeing more flies in sizzling weather, cooling down the area may lend a hand reduce their numbers. Air conditioners and fans can frigid the air down in a balmy kitchen and other rooms.

Remove Potential Breeding Grounds

The two most common sites for flies laying eggs are in garbage (especially if there is food waste) and on animal feces. Keep your trash can covered tightly to prevent flies getting in, and remove trash regularly, especially if it contains produce or animal products to lend a hand cut down on fly breeding activity. Also, try to keep cat litter boxes spotless of feces and change the litter regularly.

Store Food in Sealed Containers

Leaving fruit in bowls or bread out in the open might invite flies to visit. During balmy weather or in a season when you’re noticing flies around, be sure to keep all food tightly sealed, especially when gathering outdoors.

When to Call a Professional

There may be times when you want to call in a professional instead of handling it on your own. If you’ve noticed maggots in your house—in the trash or another spot where flies have started breeding—you may want to call in a pest control professional. This situation could get worse if the flies move on to other locations indoors. Pest control specialists will apply a range of approaches including bait, traps, fumigation, and other methods to get rid of flies.