How to Get Rid of and Prevent a Fly Infestation

The first step to getting rid of a fly infestation in your home or business is to track down the source of the problem.

Here are the most common early warning signs of a fly infestation:

Small Dark Clusters of Spots

It’s not pleasant, but just like the rest of us; flies poop. And when they do, they appear in the form of tiny black or brown dots.

Where these black dots appear depends on where the flies hang out the most. Generally speaking, you may find these spots on your:

• Light fittings
• Walls and ceilings
• Windows
• Hard-to-reach corners of a room

Also, keep an eye out for areas where the flies are most likely to find food, such as the pantry or kitchen. The flies will usually defecate not long after they have eaten. Also, it’s quite uncommon to find black spots on the floor.

Regular Sightings of Flies

It’s pretty simple. If you’re seeing flies in large numbers on a frequent basis, then you could have a problem.

To track down the source of the infestation, be sure to investigate sources that can increase the risk of fly activity, such as:

• Exposed trash cans and wheelie bins
• Leaking sewer drains
• Leftover or exposed food in the kitchen, dining areas, or pantry.
• Pools of water – i.e. swimming pools, puddles, and gutters.
• Waterlogged pot plants

Keep in mind you may have more than one problem area in your building.

From there, you should take the necessary steps to remove the source of the problem. You may need to make a few minor lifestyle changes, carry out a few repairs, or replace a defective part or item.

You could try a few commercial products, but if used incorrectly they might only provide temporary relief.

If you cannot resolve the issue yourself, then contact All Bugs for free advice and a quote on professional fly treatment.

Maggots

Before a fly can reach adulthood, they must transform from an egg into larvae (i.e. maggot) and then a pupae.

Most flies stay in their larvae stage for around 3 to 5 days. During this period, they will feed on a range of leftover food and organic matter. Maggots must continue to feed non-stop, so they will reside in a safe, protected place with plenty of food.

Maggots are easy to recognise. They measure at 3-9mm in length and are white coloured. Due to the nature of their lifecycle it is normal for maggots to stick together in clusters. This makes sense from a survival perspective.

Preventive Measures

There are many steps you can take to reduce the risk of a fly infestation. These range from improved sanitation and exclusion through to professional treatment.

Below are some of the most effective preventive measures:

• Immediately store leftover food in a secure container either in the fridge or pantry.
• Empty your kitchen bin every night before going to sleep. And always have a secure lid on top.
• Keep both your inside and outside bins clean as often as possible – you might even destroy a few hidden eggs in the process!
• Repair any leaking or damaged water-based appliances, along with leaking pipes and air conditioner units.
• Regularly clean your drains with Draino or another gentle yet effective drain cleaning product.
• Attach flyscreens to all windows in the building.
• Minimise how often you keep doors open to the outside.
• Check for deceased wildlife around the building as this will quickly attract hungry flies.

Professional Fly Treatment

Having no luck with the DIY approach so far? Pest control companies like All Bugs can help you.

Our licensed technicians will assess your home or commercial space to pinpoint the source of the infestation. From there, they will follow a custom treatment plan in order to remove the flies and prevent future infestations.

To achieve these outcomes, the plan will do the following:

• Block entryways to prevent more flies from entering.
• Prevent flies that are already inside from leaving and spreading the infestation.
• Install proven destruction methods in order to eliminate the current infestation.
• Monitor the treatment until the desired outcomes have been achieved.

Got a fly problem? Contact All Bugs today for free advice and a quote for treatment.