Salmonella, E. coli, and more can be dished out by buzzing files. Flies leave pathogens on your household surfaces and food via fly regurgitation, feces, and from their legs or mouthpieces after landing. Yuck!
Since nobody wants to deal with disgusting diseases —Can you say: “Shoo fly, don’t bother me!”? —Mosquito Joe® wants you to learn more about fly species that can plague your home and how to make your space a fly-free zone.
Overview of Fly Species in North America
You’ve seen one fly, you’ve seen them all, right? Not necessarily! In fact, there are more than 18,000 different types of flies in North America alone!
Chances are that you’ve seen many of the common fly species, including the house fly, fruit fly, and gnat. While most of them are fairly harmless, some can transmit dangerous diseases to humans, be dangerous to pets, or signify a more significant sanitation issue.
Common Fly Species and Their Characteristics
Each fly species has specific characteristics and behavioral traits that can help you identify them.
House Fly
The common house fly, also known as Musca domestica, is most likely what you think of when you think of flies. Known for their medium-sized body, black coloring, and red eyes, they fly erratically, often landing on food and other household surfaces they use as breeding grounds to reproduce quickly.
Fruit Fly
Fruit flies are much smaller than typical house flies. Only about ⅛ inch long with bright red eyes, their bodies can range in color from tan, yellow, or brownish-black.
They often hover near ripe or rotten fruits and vegetables; the sweeter, the better! Their rapid breeding cycles can quickly turn into an indoor fly infestation that can be hard to get rid of.
Gnat
Not often thought of as flies, gnats are around the same size as fruit flies. Their color can vary between species. Most often, they are black, brown, or gray. Some species of gnats may even be yellow or iridescent.
They are attracted to moist areas with lots of light. Sweet smells, such as overripe fruit, sugar, or perfume, can also grab a gnat’s attention. Often found in houseplants or on food residue, they are so small that they can fit through window screens.
Horsefly
Horseflies are significantly larger than most other types of flies, often the largest of the common fly species. With iridescent, rainbow, or spotted eyes, their large bodies range in color from black or brown to gray or pale yellow.
They live and breed near bodies of water, like oceans, lakes, or creeks, and have the ability to ruin a great summer day. Female horseflies require blood to reproduce, so watch out for their painful bites!
Blowfly
Have you seen a large, metallic-colored fly near your garbage cans or around a decaying wild animal on your property? It was probably a blowfly. These flies feed and lay their eggs on decaying meat or garbage. If you notice them in your home, it’s probably a sign of a bigger problem, such as a dead animal or an underlying sanitation issue.
Understanding Fly Habitats and Behaviors
Each species of fly is attracted to different areas of your home. Knowledge is power! Obtaining this information can help you develop a plan to get rid of them!
For example, fruit flies and gnats are often found near sweet-smelling locations, such as ripe fruit or rotten vegetables. If you’ve noticed a swarm of tiny flies in your kitchen or near your sink drains, chances are it’s one of these types of flies! They either come into your home following the smell or are brought in on groceries.
Other flies, like blow flies, like stronger, more off-putting scents such as garbage or decaying meat. Their habitats tend to be hot, humid, and full of decaying matter.
Some flies, like house flies, aren’t as picky about their environments. They can be found almost anywhere, including indoors, in drains, around houseplants, in outdoor open areas, or near garbage cans. As long as they have access to food in a moderate climate, house flies are happy!
Take a Stand Against Bothersome Flies
Install and Maintain Screens
The first line of defense against flies is to prevent them from entering your living space in the first place. To keep house flies outside, invest in screens for your windows and doors that will allow the air to move through freely but will block flies from entering.
Toss Food Scraps
Proper hygiene and cleanliness will also help you get rid of most types of flies in North America. Make it a habit to keep all food covered and stored properly. Remember to take out any trash and rotten food immediately. And since flies like hanging out in and near your garbage cans, make sure decaying or rotten food is properly sealed to decrease the chance of attracting even more flies.
Clean Your Drains
If fruit flies or gnats are causing you stress, try cleaning your drain to end the infestation. Start by pouring salt, baking soda, and vinegar down the drain, following it up with boiling water. If you need something stronger, try a fruit fly drain repellent that contains active ingredients such as citronella or cinnamon oil.
Build Fly Traps
If the flies aren’t coming from your sink drains, try to catch them with a homemade fruit fly trap made of apple cider vinegar and liquid dish soap in a glass and place a funnel on top. After setting it on your counter, the vinegar scent attracts flies, and the dish soap will help trap them by breaking the liquid’s surface tension, causing them to sink.
Buy Fly Traps
If you don’t want to DIY your fly control, pick one of the many store-bought solutions available. Some popular options include countertop fly traps, fly spray, sticky fly trap papers, or a plug-in device that uses blue and UV lights to attract most flying insects, including house flies, fruit flies, and gnats.
Contact a Professional for Expert Fly Control
Are your DIY solutions not working? Call in a professional to inspect your property and get to the root of the problem.
Whether it’s a common house fly or a crew of fruit flies, our Mosquito Joe® services and our proven barrier spray solution are designed to control all types of flies in North America. Plus, we are sure you’ll love our outdoot fly pest control services so much that we’ve backed them with Neighborly Done Right Promise® and the Mosquito Joe Satisfaction Guarantee!
Say goodbye to annoying flies by scheduling your free estimate with your local Mosquito Joe today!
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and may not be applicable to every situation. You are responsible for determining the proper course of action for your home and property. Mosquito Joe is not responsible for any damages that occur as a result of this blog content or your actions. For the most accurate guidance, contact your local Mosquito Joe location for a comprehensive, on-site assessment.
