House Flies

Color: House flies are generally dull gray with four dark stripes on their thorax. Their abdomen may appear yellowish or have a checkered pattern. 

Characteristics: House flies are attracted to all kinds of decaying organic matter, including food scraps, garbage, and feces. They are commonly found around homes, farms, and other areas where sanitation may be poor.

Size: Adult house flies are typically ¼ to ⅓ of an inch long, slightly larger than fruit flies.

Danger Level: House flies are considered a significant health risk as they can spread a variety of diseases, including salmonellosis, typhoid fever, and cholera. They pick up pathogens on their feet and body hairs and then transfer them to surfaces and food.

WHAT ARE HOUSE FLIES?

House flies, scientifically known as Musca domestica, are one of the most common fly species in Wisconsin (alongside the fruit fly).

The house fly’s life cycle consists of four stages: egg, larva (maggot), pupa, and adult house fly. During the larval stage, the legless maggots feed on decaying matter, while in the pupal stage, they form a protective pupal case or puparium before emerging as adult flies.

These pests are considered ‘filth flies’ because they thrive in environments with decaying organic matter, such as garbage, feces, and spoiled food, where they lay their eggs.

House flies are not just a nuisance but a serious health hazard. They can spread diseases like dysentery, typhoid, cholera, tuberculosis, and ophthalmia by contaminating food and surfaces with bacteria they carry from feces and other unsanitary sources.

HOW MANY TYPES OF HOUSE FLIES ARE THERE?

There are actually several species of house flies that can end up in homes. Beyond the common house fly, there are filth flies like blow flies, flesh flies, and stable flies, all known for their association with decaying organic matter. Other common types include cluster flies and drain flies, which also find their way indoors.

Each species plays a role in spreading bacteria and contaminating food, making efficient and quick fly extermination vital for any home (or commercial space) affected by fly infestations.

WHY DO I HAVE HOUSE FLIES?

House flies are drawn to environments that provide food, moisture, and breeding sites. If you’re dealing with house flies, it’s likely because your home or property offers one or more of these elements:

ACCESS TO FOOD, WASTE AND ORGANIC MATTER

House flies are general feeders, attracted to a wide range of organic matter. This includes food waste, spilled liquids, pet food, and even solid foods that they can liquefy by regurgitating digestive enzymes. Garbage bins, compost piles, and improperly stored foods are prime targets for house flies. Even small traces of food left on countertops or uncleaned dishes can invite these pests.

OPEN WINDOWS, DOORS, AND CRACKS

House flies are adept at finding their way indoors, especially when windows, doors, or vents are left open. Even small cracks in walls or window screens can allow them entry. Once inside, they seek out food sources and warm, moist areas where they can reproduce.

STANDING WATER

House flies need moisture to survive, so standing water in clogged drains, leaky faucets, or poorly maintained gutters can also attract them. These wet environments provide ideal conditions for fly larvae to develop, contributing to an infestation.

POOR SANITATION AND WASTE MANAGEMENT

Overflowing garbage bins, unsanitized pet waste, and unclean kitchen surfaces all provide the flies with easy access to food and breeding sites. Once flies establish a presence, their population can multiply quickly.

BREEDING AREAS NEARBY

Sometimes, the source of a fly infestation may not be in your home but in nearby areas like farms, restaurants, dumpsters, or animal carcasses. Flies from these sites can easily migrate indoors through open windows or doors, especially if they sense food or waste.

To prevent house flies from becoming a problem, it’s essential to maintain strict cleanliness, remove decaying organic matter promptly, and seal off potential entry points. A combination of sanitation and pest control measures is necessary to break the breeding cycle and reduce fly populations in your home or commercial establishment.

ARE HOUSE FLIES DANGEROUS?

Yes, house flies are more than just a nuisance—they pose serious health risks. House flies are known to excrete and regurgitate whenever they land, contaminating food and surfaces with bacteria, viruses, and parasites.

Since they feed on decaying organic matter, feces, and garbage, they often pick up disease-causing organisms and spread them to whatever they touch. Additionally, their legs and bodies can pick up pathogens from contaminated surfaces and transfer them to human food, utensils, and even skin.

These flying pests are also notorious for transmitting diseases such as dysentery, typhoid, cholera, and tuberculosis and can carry bacteria that lead to food poisoning by contaminating food with their regurgitated digestive fluids and feces. That’s why house flies are often known as ‘filth flies’ – because they thrive in unsanitary environments.

Small fruit flies, also found to be common in the Wisconsin area, can also transmit human diseases, though not to the same extent as house flies.

Click here to learn more about identifying and managing fruit flies.

HOW TO GET RID OF HOUSE FLIES

Getting rid of flies can be a difficult task on your own.  Removal of larva development sites by emptying, cleaning and drying garbage containers is extremely important. Other control methods include securing screens, sealing holes and installing various types of traps.

To ensure your property is safe from house flies, you’ll need professional exterminators. Our team at Terminix Wil-Kil safeguards your home or commercial space. From installing discreet Lumnia LED fly traps (where necessary) to keep your space clean without wasting energy to our effective Integrated Pest Management (IPM), we guarantee our pest control will help reduce the risk of disease spreading.

Contact Terminix Wil-Kil today to keep your home or business safe from house flies.

HOW TO GET RID OF HOUSE FLIES NATURALLY

Do-it-yourself sprays and treatments aren’t always effective in resolving fly problems and may contain chemicals that are harmful to people and pets if mixed improperly.

 House fly management can be tricky to resolve without professional help. Flies reproduce rapidly, are highly adaptable, and breed in sites that can be difficult to access without the right tools.

Contact Terminix Wil-Kil today to see what we can do for you!

MANAGING & TREATING HOUSE FLIES

At Terminix Wil-Kil, we use a thorough, multi-step pest-management approach to manage and prevent house fly infestations in your home or commercial space:

Inspection and Assessment
We start with a detailed inspection to identify the extent of the infestation and locate breeding sites, such as decaying organic matter, garbage, and standing water. We also check for entry points where flies might be getting in.

Sanitation and Exclusion
We provide recommendations to improve sanitation, including effective cleaning practices, proper waste management, and addressing moisture issues. Our team also helps seal potential entry points, like gaps in doors and windows, to prevent future infestations.

Targeted Treatments
We apply targeted treatments to reduce fly populations. This includes using insecticides and strategically placing fly traps. One of our key tools for commercial fly control is the Lumina LED Fly Trap, which effectively attracts and captures flies using energy-saving LED light technology. These traps are non-toxic, discreet, and save on costs.

Ongoing Monitoring and Follow-Up
Our approach includes regular follow-up visits to assess the effectiveness of our treatments and make any necessary adjustments. We aim to ensure long-term control of fly populations.

Education and Prevention
We educate clients on maintaining cleanliness, managing waste, and performing regular inspections to prevent future fly problems.

IS HOUSE FLY TREATMENT SAFE?

Yes, our house fly treatment is safe.

The health and safety of our customers, their family or employees is important to us and that is why we only use products that are EPA registered for pest control use. All of our pest control professionals are registered and licensed by the state or local jurisdictions where we provide service to ensure proper application.

HOW SOON CAN YOU GET HERE?

Our customers are our top priority, and your Terminix Wil-Kil technician is 100% committed to helping you as soon as possible.

HOW TO PREVENT HOUSE FLIES

A few house flies here and there  Flies are difficult to prevent, given their ability to breed on the food we eat. However, there are practices you can do to prevent an infestation from occurring.

Start by maintaining cleanliness by promptly cleaning up food spills, properly disposing of garbage, and regularly sanitizing surfaces. Ensure all food is stored in sealed containers and eliminate any sources of standing water, such as clogged drains or leaky faucets. 

Also, make sure to seal entry points, such as gaps in doors and windows, to prevent flies from entering. Regularly inspect and clean areas where flies are likely to breed, such as compost bins and pet waste areas. Implementing these practices can significantly reduce the likelihood of a fly infestation.

Finally, if flies have infested your property, call Terminix Wil-Kil Pest Control as soon as you spot them to prevent a larger fly problem.

FAQs

HOW LONG DO HOUSE FLIES LIVE?

House flies have a relatively short life cycle, typically living 15 to 30 days depending on environmental conditions.

WHAT DO HOUSE FLIES EAT?

House flies primarily feed on decaying organic matter, including garbage, feces, and rotting food. They have sponging mouthparts and can only consume liquids, so they regurgitate digestive enzymes to liquefy solid foods. They are attracted to a variety of substances, from sugary foods to feces and even organic matter like decaying plants.

WHAT IS THE LIFE CYCLE OF A HOUSE FLY?

House flies have a four-stage life cycle: egg, larva (maggot), pupa, and adult. Females lay eggs on decaying materials like food waste and feces. In just a day, these eggs hatch into maggots, which feed and grow rapidly. They then form a tough pupal case, where they develop into adults. Once emerged, adult flies are ready to breed, allowing them to multiply quickly and cause infestations. Eggs hatch within 24 hours, and after the larval and pupal stages, adult flies emerge. It should be noted that warm, moist environments speed up this cycle.

WHAT ATTRACTS HOUSE FLIES?

House flies are attracted to anything that’s decaying or giving off a strong smell. This includes garbage, pet waste, and rotting food. They’re also drawn to sugary items and fermenting liquids like beer or vinegar. Flies rely on their keen sense of smell to find food sources, so open trash cans, uncovered food, and even standing water make it easy for them to invade homes and businesses in search of food and places to breed.