How do you attract and get rid of flies?

Flies can be a nuisance in homes and businesses. They spread bacteria and contaminate food. Knowing what attracts flies and how to get rid of them can help keep your home clean and sanitary.

What Attracts Flies?

Flies are attracted to certain things and environments that provide food sources, breeding sites, and warmth:

Decaying organic material – Compost piles, overturned earth, grass clippings, garbage cans, and dog feces attract flies looking to lay eggs and feed maggots.

Standing water – Flies lay eggs in damp, soggy materials or standing water found in drain pipes, leaky faucets, empty cans and bottles, and pet bowls.
Ripe and rotting fruit and vegetables – Fruit bowls and kitchen counters containing produce attract flies.
Trash and recycling bins – Food particles, cans, bottles, paper, and other waste bring flies around.

Ponds and birdbaths – Flies are attracted to muddy edges or rotting leaves.
Leaky drains or pipes – Drain flies seek out wet environments to breed.
Cracked walls or damaged screens – Openings around the home let flies enter.

Human and animal excrement – Pet droppings and diapers are sought as food sources.
Sugary substances like syrup, pop, and fruit juice – Flies feed on sugars and liquids.
Open wounds on pets – Flies feed on blood and bodily fluids.

Poor sanitation – Unclean living spaces and sticky spills attract flies.

Flies seek environments with ample food, moisture, and access for breeding and survival. Sanitation and hygiene are key for preventing infestations.

Main Species of Household Flies

There are four common fly species that become pests in and around homes:

House fly – This is likely the most prevalent fly found indoors. They have hairy bodies and are dull gray with black stripes on the thorax. They lay eggs in rotting organic material.
Fruit fly – Tiny flies that gather around ripe produce and fermenting materials. They have red eyes and yellow-brown bodies.
Phorid fly – Small humpbacked flies that breed in damp decaying material. They are dark with distinctively shaped wings.

Drain fly – Delicate flies with long moth-like wings that hover near drains. They reproduce in sewage systems.

Identifying the type of fly helps determine breeding sites that need removal for effective control.

Signs of a Fly Problem

Evidence of flies indicates an infestation requiring management:

Seeing adult flies buzzing around – They gather anywhere food particles, juices, or breeding sites exist.
Spots on walls or windows – Fly excrement leaves bumpy black spots wherever they land.
Buzzing sounds – The high-pitched drone of beating wings signals fly activity.

A foul odor – Dead flies and larvae emit unpleasant odors.
Maggots – The worm-like larval stage of flies indicates reproduction.
Fruit with tunnels or grooves – Flies bore into ripening fruit to lay eggs.

Spider webs – Flies get caught in webs while spiders try trapping them.

Prompt fly removal keeps them from multiplying into large infestations over time.

Natural Fly Deterrents

There are many low-cost, natural ways to repel flies without using harsh chemicals:

Screens – Well-fitting screens on windows and doors keep flies out of homes.
Fans – Circulation from fans disrupts flies’ ability to land and become bothersome.
Fly swatters – Swatting is an easy way to get rid of flies that find their way inside.

Sticky traps – Ribbon strips and fly paper capture flies so they can’t escape.
Scented oils – Oils like lavender, lemongrass, peppermint and eucalyptus repel flies.
Plant-based sprays – Non-toxic sprays made with clove, thyme, lemongrass, or rosemary eliminate flies.

Venus flytraps – These carnivorous plants capture and digest flies.

Employing several deterrents at once amplifies their effectiveness at keeping flies at bay.

Sanitation and Prevention

Sanitizing the environment removes fly attractions and breeding spots:

Take out trash regularly. Use covered waste bins.
Clean dirty drains, pipes, and sinks that attract flies.
Install window and door screens to keep flies out.

Clean up pet waste immediately so flies can’t lay eggs.
Clean countertops and wipe up spills to remove food particles.
Store ripe produce in the refrigerator. Throw away overripe fruit and vegetables.

Empty recyclables promptly and rinse cans and bottles before recycling.
Fix plumbing leaks and drips that leave standing water.
Fill in cracked walls and damaged screens that give flies entry points.

Keep compost enclosed and contained to prevent flies from breeding.

With vigilant sanitation, flies have fewer opportunities to become established and proliferate.

Trapping Flies

Traps draw in and contain flies so they can’t spread or reproduce:

Funnel traps – Flies enter through funnels but can’t find the exit.
Sticky traps – Glue boards or fly paper lets flies land but not take off.
Light traps – Ultraviolet bulbs lure flies into an enclosed trap.

Bait traps – Containers with bait allure and drown flies.
Bottle traps – Partly filled bottles tempt flies to enter but not escape.
Ribbon traps – Flies stick to strands of ribbons saturated with glue.

Traps should be monitored and replaced frequently to remain effective at decreasing fly populations.

Vinegar Fly Traps

A homemade solution for trapping flies is vinegar mixed with dish soap. The vinegar attracts flies while the soap causes them to sink and drown. To make one:

Take a bowl or empty container like a jar or bottle.

Fill it halfway with apple cider vinegar. Any vinegar works but apple cider attracts the most flies.
Add a few drops of liquid dish soap, shaking gently to mix it in.
Position the trap wherever flies are problematic.

Replace the solution weekly or when full of dead flies.

This simple, non-toxic homemade trap can capture dozens of flies at a time.

Chemical Fly Control Methods

When natural options fail to control flies, chemical agents can be applied:

Surface sprays – Residual sprays directly kill adult flies resting on treated areas.
Larvicides – Target fly larvae before they mature into adults.
Baits – Granules, gels, or powders tempt flies to eat poison.

Fumigation – Foggers and mists suffocate flies with gases or smoke.
Insect growth regulators – Hormone-like compounds disrupt fly development.

Chemicals should only be applied according to label directions to get results without harming people or pets.

Professional Fly Extermination

For serious infestations across large areas, professional exterminators have specialized tools and expertise. Services include:

Site evaluation – Inspecting to pinpoint fly sources.
Proper identification – Determining fly species to target.

Sanitation recommendations – Advise on improving cleanliness.
Multiple control methods – Employing an integrated pest management plan.
Follow-up visits – Retreating as needed until flies are eliminated.

With right chemicals and equipment, professionals can tackle fly problems customers cannot effectively solve alone.

Natural Predators That Eat Flies

In nature, flies get preyed on by many species that help limit their numbers:

Predator	About
Frogs	Catch flies with long, sticky tongues.
Spiders	Weave webs to trap flies.
Birds	Robins eat up to 40% flies. Swallows catch flies in midair.
Bats	A single bat can devour hundreds of flies per hour.
Dragonflies	Swift flyers that snatch flies from the air.
Centipedes	Poisonous legs paralyze and kill flies.
Fireflies	Glowworms and larvae feast on flies.
Praying mantises	Clawed forelegs grasp and eat flies.
Venus flytraps	Trap flies in specialized leaves and digest them.

Encouraging these natural predators provides biological fly control around homes and gardens.

Conclusion

Controlling flies takes eliminating breeding spots through sanitation and employing multiple deterrents and traps. Prevention is key to avoid major infestations. In extreme cases, chemical and professional treatments may be needed to successfully get rid of flies and keep them away.