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Getting Rid of All Kinds of Flies

YESpestpros • August 29, 2020

Shoo, fly, don’t bother me! 

We can all relate to the words to this classic nursery rhyme. The sound and sight of a single fly buzzing around your home is enough to disturb your peace of mind. 

Beyond being a nuisance, flies can also pose a threat to the health of your family. Since they are known to land on both feces and food, some flies have been proven to spread disease. Other flies even bite!

The National Environmental Health Association warns that houseflies “Can carry more than 1 million bacteria on their bodies and can transfer these to contaminate surfaces and food,” adding that “The common housefly can transmit the pathogens that cause shigellosis, typhoid fever, E. coli, and cholera.”

The point is, you don’t want flies in your home. What kinds of flies live in Indiana, and how can you get rid of them? 

Here are the most common types of flies in Central Indiana, along with tips on how to get them out of your home, besides the classic fly swatter approach.    

House Flies

Perhaps the most common fly, the house fly, is easily identifiable with its characteristic blackish-yellow body, translucent wings, and often red-toned eyes. The house fly’s multi-directional vision and speedy reflexes make it hard to catch.

Tips for getting rid of house flies: 

  • Frequently take out the trash and keep a lid on garbage bins
  • Keep your home sanitized
  • Clean up pet droppings and empty litter boxes daily 
  • Get strong-smelling, fly repellent plants such as mint, basil, and rosemary
  • Use fly strips
  • Keep window screens in good repair 
  • Infuse your home with essential oils, such as lavender 

Fruit Flies

Only 1/8-inch in length, the fruit fly is known for its tiny brown body and its ability to reproduce quickly. You may find fruit flies swarming in your trash or around your fruit bowl. Since they are so small and are often found by the hundreds, it can be hard to get rid of them.

Tips for getting rid of fruit flies: 

  • Make a homemade trap by mixing vinegar with dish soap, covering it with cling wrap, and poking a few holes in the top  
  • Store fruit in the fridge
  • Keep your kitchen clear of crumbs, food scraps, and damp cloths
  • Cover your trash tightly
  • Wash your produce and quickly toss anything rotten 

Drain Flies

Due to their resemblance to moths, drain flies are also called moth flies. Drain fly larvae can be found in the decomposing, organic sludge found in kitchen and bathroom drains. Some adult moth flies appear hairy, and their scales leave behind a film of fine dust when touched. 

Tips for getting rid of drain flies: 

  • Clean your kitchen and bathroom drains with a metal pipe brush
  • Make a drain fly trap with equal parts sugar, water, and vinegar and a couple of drops of dish soap
  • Keep all areas in your home dry and clean
  • Use a dehumidifier 

Horse Flies

Though similar in appearance to house flies, there is one key difference; female horse flies bite! Larger in size than a housefly, horse flies typically have bright green or black eyes and colored or transparent wings. 

Tips for getting rid of drain flies: 

  • Use a store-bought or homemade fly trap
  • Clear your home and surroundings of stagnant water 
  • Bathe your animals frequently
  • Keep tall grass and weeds to a minimum around your home

Pest Control Services in Bloomington, IN 

If you’re struggling to get rid of flies in your home, contact Yes Pest, Inc. for professional fly pest control. We have the expertise and equipment necessary to manage pests in a safe and environmentally-responsible way. With offices in both Columbus and Bloomington, we’re here to help free your home of pests. 

Contact us to schedule an inspection. 

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