Why Do I Have So Many Flies In My House?

Flies are a nuisance, which is why they aren’t welcome in homes. Unfortunately, one fly can quickly turn into an infestation. If these pests have invaded, you’ll want to figure out why so many are present. Check out why flies gather in your home and what you can do to get rid of these pests.

What Attracts Flies to Your Home?

It’s important to know why flies like to hang out in your home. We’ve made a list of a few things that attract flies.

• Food: Flies often enter homes looking for something to eat. Crumbs and spills are likely to attract these pests. Rotting food in your trash bin not only provides flies with food but also with a breeding spot.
• Overripe Produce: Fruit flies are attracted to overripe or rotting produce. They feed on the produce and lay their eggs underneath its skin. Leaving fruit and vegetables on the counter can cause these flies to show up.
• Decaying Matter: Flies are also attracted to decaying matter. Houseplants with dead leaves could attract flies. These pests may also be drawn to litter boxes.
• Moisture: Flies need moisture to stay hydrated and to breed. Leaky pipes, clogged drains, and standing water can quickly lead to a fly infestation.
• Light: Some flies are attracted to lights. Bright white lights are more likely to attract flies than yellow bulbs.

Why Are There So Many Flies?

Many factors contribute to large infestations of flies including their habits and your home’s environment. Check out why there could be so many flies in your house.  

• Quick Breeding: Flies can lay eggs up to six times in their life, and they lay more than 100 eggs each time. When multiple flies produce eggs, large infestations can occur.  
• Quick Life Cycle: These pests can also develop from an egg to an adult in 7-10 days. This means numerous flies can pop up at the same time. If the cycle isn’t interrupted, this process will continue and more and more flies will arrive.
• Food Sources: Flies aren’t picky when it comes to food, which means they can find plenty of things to eat in your home. Having access to a steady food source means they’ll be able to fly around and reproduce.
• Warm Temperatures: In general, it’s usually fairly warm in your house. This is great for flies. Warm temperatures allow flies to develop faster. It also keeps their body temperatures regulated, letting them stay active.

Are Flies Harmful?

Most flies, like houseflies, are just a nuisance. However, these pests have habits that make their presence problematic. Flies are known to walk on dirty surfaces and then walk on your food or counters. This can lead to contamination. Some flies, like black flies, bite. These flies can leave you with painful, itchy bumps. Fungus gnats can be harmful to plants when their larvae feed on roots.

How to Get Rid of Flies Indoors

Getting rid of flies starts with sealing entry points, removing potential food sources, and minimizing breeding sites. We’ve made a list of tips to help keep these pesky bugs away.

• Seal cracks, crevices, holes, and gaps around windows and doors where flies could get into your home.
• Ensure that door and window screens are in good repair.
• Keep your kitchen clean and wipe down counters.
• Keep food stored in airtight containers.
• Don’t leave dirty dishes in the sink.
• Minimize moisture build-up in your home.
• Keep outdoor lights off when possible or switch to warm hued bulbs.
• Be aware that when trying to get rid of rodents, their carcasses can attract flies.
• Clean your cat’s litter box and keep your yard free of pet droppings as much as possible.
• Some plants, like basil, marigolds, lavender, bay leaves, and catnip, can help repel flies. Incorporating these flowers into your home or garden can help keep flies from bugging you.

How to Get Rid of Flies Outdoors

Getting rid of flies outdoors will help to prevent problems in your house. Once you identify which fly species you’re dealing with and find their breeding spot, you can remove attractants. Check out a few tips to help get rid of flies in your yard.

• Ensure your gutters are clean and working properly.
• Repair or replace leaky spigots and hoses.
• Minimize standing water in your yard.
• Regularly mow your lawn.
• Remove grass clippings, leaf litter, and dead plants.
• If you eat outside, remove trash and clean up crumbs and spills.
• Clean up after your pets.
• Keep dumpster areas and trash bins as clean as possible.
• Don’t store trash bins close to your home.
• Spray your lawn with a plant-based Yard Bug Spray. It kills pests on contact and provides residual repellency that will help deter flies from returning to your yard.
• Spot treat flies with our plant-based Flying Insect Killer or Home Bug Spray.

Unfortunately, flies are known for invading homes in large numbers. Knowing why there are so many flies can help you eliminate an infestation. If flies are buzzing around your space, we’re here to help! For a more environmentally and family-friendly solution, check out our Maggie’s Farm Simply Effective™ Pest Control products.