How To Get Rid of Flies in the House

House flies are more than just unpleasant to be around – they are known to carry bacteria and diseases such as salmonella. Though dealing with flies in the house can be a frustrating and persistent problem, there are effective preventative measures that can be taken to minimise their presence in the house. This article will discuss how to get rid of flies in the house, the different types of flying pests and what keeps bringing them back.

Types of Houseflies in the UK

In the UK, various houseflies are commonly found all year round, each with unique features and behaviours. Below are the three most common:

Bluebottle Fly

Bluebottle flies are metallic-blue in colour. They play a vital role in the ecosystem by being the decomposers of flies. They’re attracted to decaying matter and will lay their eggs/larvae to help break down the organic material. They’re usually found in kitchens and around outside compost and dustbins.

Fruit Fly

Fruit flies are tiny insects that have a notoriously quick life cycle. They can go from egg to adult in about a week under ideal conditions, leading to quick infestation. These pests are attracted to sweet, organic materials such as overripe fruits and vegetables to lay their eggs on. Therefore, they’re commonly found in kitchens and dining areas.

Housefly

Houseflies are common household pests. They’re recognised for their grey bodies and large compound eyes. As they have tastebuds on their feet, houseflies land on nutritious and contaminated surfaces, spreading diseases that can be transferred to humans and animals. Their presence in homes is often due to poor sanitation practices, such as leaving food uncovered or not disposing of rubbish properly.

Causes of flies in UK Homes

Homes with unscreened windows and doors offer easy access for flies to enter. They’re attracted to overflowing, dirty bins and uncovered fruits and vegetables. Any exposed food, food scraps and organic waste are perfect for flies to eat and lay their eggs.

What are Cluster Flies?

Cluster flies are grey or olive with golden hairs on their back, making them look fuzzy. Unlike bluebottles, fruit flies and houseflies, cluster flies are not attracted to human food or waste. Therefore, they do not pose a direct health risk to humans, for they do not spread disease nor lay their eggs in human food.

Their sole interest is to keep warm, accessing UK homes with much sun exposure to survive the cold winter months. Once inside, they tend to remain inactive, clustering together in large numbers until the warmth of spring.

The Problem with Cluster Flies

Due to their large numbers, cluster flies can be a nuisance for homeowners, especially during late summer and autumn when they start to seek shelter. They cluster around windows and attic spaces to seek warmth, creating an unpleasant sight of alive and dead matter. Unfortunately, as they die in large numbers, they can attract secondary pests, worsening the pest problem.

How Does ULV Fogging Treatment Work?

Ultra-low volume (ULV) fogging machines convert specially formulated liquid pesticides into light fumigation. The machine emits droplets that are so small that they remain suspended in the air for an extended period and cover large areas efficiently.

Can ULV Fogging Solve the Fly Issue?

ULV Fogging Treatment can help solve the fly problem in UK homes by spreading a fine mist deep into places where flies tend to hide and breed, giving them nowhere to go. As ULV fogging treatment is usually combined with a residual coarse spray, it promptly reduces the number of flies.