Having small flies buzzing around your space isn’t any fun. When pests gather in your home, it’s important to identify what’s causing them. Knowing what attracts small flies to your house will be helpful when trying to get rid of these pests. Check out what can cause small flies to sneak into your home.
Moisture
Small flies are attracted to moisture build-up in your home. Phorid flies prefer areas with chronic dampness. Plumbing leaks or leaky faucets can cause these flies to show up. Drain flies thrive in stagnant water found in drains. Clogged or slow drains can make your home welcoming to these flies. Mop buckets with residual water could also attract small flies.
Food Sources
Many pests, including small flies, head indoors in search of food. If you have a habit of leaving food on the counter, flies are more likely to visit. Fruit flies are drawn to homes with overripe fruit and vegetables. Not only do they feed on produce, they also lay eggs under the skin. Trash and rotting food are attractants of phorid flies. Be careful to clean up crumbs and spills, and don’t forget to check under appliances and other hard-to-reach areas in your kitchen.
Plants
Plants are a great natural décor option, but they could also attract some small flies. Fungus gnats are known to spend time near houseplants because they’re attracted to damp soil. These pests lay eggs on the surface of soil. Phorid flies may also enjoy your plants, especially if leaves have fallen off. These flies feed and lay eggs on decaying plants. Take the time to remove fallen or dead leaves, and avoid overwatering your plants.
Light
Fungus gnats are attracted to bright lights. You are likely to spot these flies near windows and glass doors. You may notice them hanging out near your lamps or television. Sometimes exterior lights can draw fungus gnats to your home. To help deter these pests, you can try switching to yellow light bulbs instead of white bulbs, since these are generally less attractive to pests.
Easy Entry Points
Things in your home may attract flies, but these pests can only bug you if they find a way inside. Cracks and gaps on your home’s exterior can provide flies with an easy entry point. Damaged weatherstripping can also be problematic. Small flies can slip in through small tears on door and window screens too. Regularly checking for and sealing entry points can help keep your home free of these pests.
Understanding why pests are likely to infest your home is key to preventing and eliminating an infestation. To keep small flies away, you’ll want to remove attractants including food and moisture. If small flies are bugging you, we want to help! Check out our Maggie’s Farm Simply Effective™ Pest Control products for a more environmentally and family-friendly solution.