How to Get Rid of Flies in Your House?

Flies can be a major nuisance, particularly during the warmer months in Australia. Not only are they irritating, but flies can also pose a health risk by spreading bacteria. Whether you’re dealing with houseflies, fruit flies, or blowflies, taking proactive measures is key to keeping your home fly-free.

In this article, we’ll explore practical ways to get rid of flies in your house and prevent future infestations. From simple DIY solutions to professional pest control, we’ve got you covered.

Let’s get straight to the point

To get rid of flies in your house, focus on eliminating food sources and breeding grounds, like garbage, pet waste, and stagnant water. Keep your home clean, seal entry points, and use light traps or natural methods like vinegar traps and fly-repelling plants.

For severe infestations, pyrethrin-based insecticides can help, but overuse may lead to resistance. Consider professional pest control if the problem persists. By maintaining good sanitation and using preventative measures, you can keep flies at bay.

Common Entry Points and Habitats for Flies

Flies tend to make their way into your home through open doors, windows, or even tiny cracks. In Australia, especially during the summer, flies are drawn to homes in search of food and shelter.

Outdoor garbage bins, mulch piles, and even pet waste serve as perfect breeding grounds for flies, and once inside, they can multiply quickly. Let’s dive into how you can stop flies in their tracks.

Eliminate Food Sources for Flies

Cleaning and Sanitation

Flies are primarily attracted to decaying food and organic material. To get rid of flies, the first step is to eliminate their food sources:

• Clean up food spills immediately: Flies love greasy spills and sugary residues. Be vigilant about wiping down surfaces.
• Dispose of garbage properly: Make sure your indoor and outdoor bins are tightly sealed. This prevents flies from laying eggs in the rubbish.
• Sanitise pet areas: Flies are drawn to pet waste. Regularly clean your cat’s litter box and dispose of pet waste from your yard.
• Check recyclables: Rinse out bottles, cans, and containers before tossing them in the recycling bin. Even tiny food remnants can attract flies.

Monitor Outdoor Areas

Outdoor areas often harbour flies, which can easily enter your home. To minimise their presence outside:

• Move mulch piles and compost bins away from your home.
• Keep outdoor bins clean and tightly sealed.
• Check for stagnant water, as flies, especially blowflies, are attracted to moisture.

Use Light Traps to Catch Flies

How Light Traps Work

A great tool for catching flies indoors is the light trap. These devices use ultraviolet light to attract flies. Once they come close, they either get trapped in a sticky board or zapped by electricity, depending on the type of trap.

For maximum effectiveness, place the light trap about 4 to 6 feet above the ground, as this is the typical flying height for houseflies. However, ensure the trap is away from windows, as natural light can reduce its effectiveness.

Types of Light Traps

• Indoor light traps: Use a sticky board to catch flies. Ideal for kitchens and living areas.
• Outdoor zapper-style traps: Work well in gardens and patios but avoid using them too close to windows, as they may attract more flies from the outside.

Non-Toxic Methods to Get Rid of Flies

If you’re looking to avoid harsh chemicals, several non-toxic methods can effectively control flies in your house.

Vinegar and Dish Soap Trap

A simple homemade trap involves using vinegar and dish soap:

• Pour about an inch of apple cider vinegar into a glass.
• Add a few drops of dish soap.
• Cover the glass with plastic wrap and poke small holes.

Flies will be attracted to the vinegar, but the dish soap will trap and drown them.

Carnivorous Plants

Venus flytraps are a natural way to control flies. These plants lure flies with their sweet scent and then trap and digest them. They are low-maintenance and can be an attractive addition to your garden or indoors.

DIY Fly Baits

Another effective way to trap flies is by using food or drink as bait. Some items that attract flies include:

• Fruit: Especially overripe bananas and apples.
• Honey or sugar: A sweet, sticky surface is irresistible to flies.
• Wine: The aroma of wine attracts flies, and the alcohol can trap them in the liquid.

Using Pesticides to Get Rid of Flies

Pyrethrin-Based Insecticides

If you prefer a quick and aggressive approach to getting rid of flies, pyrethrin-based pesticides are a go-to solution. Pyrethrin is an organic compound derived from chrysanthemum flowers, which is highly effective in eliminating flies. It’s available in aerosol sprays, which can be used indoors with proper ventilation.

However, keep in mind that overuse of insecticides can lead to resistance in fly populations, making them less effective over time. Always follow the instructions on the product label and ensure you ventilate the space properly after use.

Preventing Flies from Entering Your Home

Seal Entry Points

Flies can enter your home through the smallest gaps and cracks. To stop them:

• Repair any broken window screens or doors.
• Seal cracks around windows and doors with caulk.
• Install fly screens on windows and doors to provide an extra barrier.

Keep the Trash Covered

Outdoor garbage bins are magnets for flies. To reduce the chances of flies laying eggs in your bins:

• Always cover your trash tightly.
• Wash the bins regularly to remove any food residue.
• Store your bins as far away from the house as possible.

Manage Pet Waste

Flies are also attracted to animal waste, which can be a significant breeding ground. Be diligent about cleaning up after your pets, whether in the yard or litter box and dispose of the waste properly.

Use Fly-Repelling Plants

Certain plants have natural fly-repelling properties. Consider planting mint, lavender, or basil around your home to deter flies. These herbs not only smell great but can also be used in your cooking!

When to Call a Professional

If you’ve tried all these methods and still struggle with a fly infestation, it might be time to contact a pest control professional. Professionals can assess the extent of the infestation, identify hidden breeding grounds, and use more targeted treatments to eliminate the problem.

In Australia, pest control companies use a variety of safe, effective techniques to manage flies. From fly baits to strategic spraying, experts can ensure that your home remains fly-free in the long term.

Conclusion

Flies are more than just an inconvenience – they can carry bacteria and contaminate food. To get rid of flies in your house, it’s essential to eliminate the factors that attract them, such as food sources and waste. Light traps, natural baits, and non-toxic solutions offer effective ways to reduce fly populations, while pyrethrin-based insecticides provide a quick fix for severe infestations.

By sealing entry points, keeping your bins covered, and using fly-repellent plants, you can minimise the risk of flies entering your home. And if you’re dealing with a persistent problem, don’t hesitate to seek professional help.

With these strategies, you can maintain a fly-free home and enjoy the Australian summer without the buzzing bother of flies!

FAQs About Fly Infestation

How Do You Get Rid Of A Fly Infestation?

• Find the source. 
• Clean common areas. 
• Use the rotten fruit against them. 
• Make a swimming pool trap. 
• Mix a vinegar solution. 
• Try a store-bought trap. 
• Hire an exterminator.

How Do You Find The Source Of Fly Infestation?

Open, unsealed garbage and trash cans can act as beacons for flies to come into your home. Flies are attracted to decomposing, often smelly, organic material. If you carelessly dispose of organic waste inside your home, you are setting the stage for a fly infestation.

Why Are There So Many Flies In My House All Of A Sudden?

Flies tend to reproduce a lot in the summer and your area might just happen to have a lot of a certain species at certain times of the summer. If you’ve left the lights on in your house during the night, it will draw flies, and with the window open you could discover hundreds of them occupying a room suddenly.

How Long Does A Cluster Fly Infestation Last?

The larvae will then pupate in the soil for 11-14 days, after which a new generation of adult cluster flies emerge. From egg to death, the cluster fly lifespan lasts from one to three months.

How Do I Find A Cluster Fly Nest?

The obvious sign of a cluster fly infestation is to see a large quantity of lame or dead flies. It’s also very common to find them in your loft, in sunken spot lighting or under insulating felt layers. Cluster flies typically return year after year, unless eaves and other entry ways are adequately sealed.