Flies are found just about everywhere humans set foot and have been a bain of our existence for as long as we've been around (annoying dinosaurs for millions of years prior to that).
Most types of flies commonly found in our area can't sting or bite (with horseflies being the only notable exemption). Still, their ability to spread pathogens and make every surface they land on absolutely disgusting is far above their minuscule size.
While in most cases, flies are nothing more than a nuisance; a large infestation can be a serious health hazard and expose you to a number of diseases.
Let's take a look at what to watch for to recognize signs of a fly infestation, what you can do to keep flies away, and what the Kittitas County pest control professionals at Prosite recommend as the best way to get rid of flies in your home.
How To Tell If You Are Dealing With A Fly Infestation
In our area, we are blessed with an ecosystem unlike any other. Unfortunately, it includes many different types of flies, each with a distinct appearance and behavior pattern to help you recognize an infestation.
Flies found in our area are:
- House flies are the most common type of fly to encounter, 1/8 to 1/4 inch long and with dark grey, slightly hairy bodies.
- Horse flies are much larger and the only type of fly likely to bite. Horse flies are 3/8 to 1 1/8 inches long with stout grey or black bodies.
- Fruit flies are small, usually around 1/8 inch in size, with tan thorax and grey abdomen. As the name suggests, they are huge fans of overripe fruit.
- Drain flies are about 1.5 to 5mm in size, with grey, fuzzy bodies reminiscent of moths. You will usually find them around standing water or inside drains.
- Cluster flies are around 1/2 inch, with dull grey bodies with black markings. You can easily identify them by the golden sheen given to them by the yellow hairs on their thorax.
Unfortunately, the only reliable way to identify a fly infestation is by seeing the insects themselves, their larva, or hearing the buzzing produced by the house flies as they go by. On the positive side, flies are not nocturnal and do nothing to hide from view, as is the habit of many more crafty pests.
All The Ways Flies In The House Can Be Dangerous
Flies in your home are often much more than a simple nuisance. They are one of the world's least hygienic creatures and joyfully spread every disgusting pathogen they come in contact with on surfaces in your home.
Among the diseases these disgusting little creatures spread are:
- Salmonellosis
- Typhoid
- Tuberculosis
Horse flies will also inflict very painful bites on your and your pets. Add to that the utterly disgusting fact that flies defecate just about every time they land, and it becomes pretty clear why they are an unwelcome guest in our homes.
How To Remove Factors That Attract Flies Into Your Home
Keeping flies out of your Kittitas County home is not a complicated task if you can remove everything that attracts them in and around your house. Follow these preventive measures:
- Dispose of garbage regularly and keep it in well-sealed containers
- Clean garbage cans weekly
- Make sure there is no standing water in the vicinity of your house
- Store food in air-tight containers
- Don't keep ripening fruit in the open
The other leg of an effective fly protection approach is making sure your home is as impenetrable to flies as possible. Keep the window and door screens in good shape, put filter screens in the sinks, and seal cracks and crevices in your outside walls to stop flies from making their way in.
The Most Effective Way To Get Rid Of A Fly Infestation
If prevention didn't do the trick and you're starting to see signs of a fly infestation-it's time to call the professionals. Flies multiply fast, with a single female laying over 100 eggs in each batch, turning a fly or two that made their way inside your walls into a hundred-strong infestation in no time.
Our experienced Prosite pest control technicians will be able to quickly identify the species you're dealing with and develop an effective strategy to get rid of flies and keep them from coming back. Reach out today to get started and to learn more about our residential and commercial pest control services in Kittitas County.