You may think that house flies are nothing more than a nuisance but they can be very problematic. Below we share why infestations should be taken seriously and what you can do about them.
Flies can escalate quickly
Female house flies will enter your property when they find a source of organic material to lay their eggs (normally rubbish or decaying food such as fruit). They are capable of laying up to 500 eggs in just a few days and because they hatch within 24 hours, fly infestations can escalate quickly.
Flies carry diseases
House flies are more than just unpleasant to be around – they also carry many diseases. The World Health Organisation estimates that they harbour at least 65 different illnesses which can infect humans including conjunctivitis, gastroenteritis, salmonella, tuberculosis, typhoid, cholera and dysentery.
You can catch an infection by using contaminated cutlery or utensils, consuming infected food or drink or if flies come into direct contact with eyes, sores and scratches.
As you can imagine, it’s almost impossible to know if flies have come into contact with your food or eating utensils. The best way to avoid fly-related illnesses is to keep them out of your house altogether.
Flies are bad for business
If you’re running a business, the last thing you want is a fly infestation. If you’re preparing, serving or selling food in any capacity, you risk making your customers very sick. Whether you make someone ill or not, the mere presence of flies isn’t going to be good for business either. They could even damage your reputation beyond repair which is why it’s so important to deal with an infestation as soon as you spot the signs.
What are the signs of a fly infestation?
While the odd fly is to be expected during the summer months, signs of a more serious issue include:
- Small, dark clusters of spots
- You’re seeing more flies than usual
- You have maggots (these are flies in their larval stage and could indicate a potential breeding site on your property)
How to get rid of flies
Clean
Sanitation is the first measure of defence when it comes to flies so carry out a thorough deep-clean. As well as disinfecting countertops, pull out furniture and clean and hoover behind it. This is especially important in areas where food is stored, prepared or eaten.
Eliminate food sources
- Keep any rubbish (both inside and outside) in a bin with a tight-fitting lid
- Take the rubbish out regularly (especially when it’s warm)
- Clean bins regularly so they’re free from food debris
- Clean your drains regularly
- Store fruit and vegetables in the fridge
- Clean up any food spillages immediately
- Don’t leave pet food out
Natural remedies
Flies don’t like basil, lavender, mint, bay leaf, tansy, wormwood, citrus peel or eucalyptus and lavender essential oils. Simply place them anywhere in the house or near an open window to stop them coming into your house.
Hang a bag full of water outside windows and doors – this reflects light everywhere which is very confusing to flies as they have a remarkable amount of lenses in each eye.
Call a professional pest controller
If you have a problem with flies, please call a local pest controller. They will be able to effectively assess the situation, tell you if any damage has been caused and they will be able to fully eliminate the problem rather than simply contain it for a short period.
To book your free pest control audit by getting in touch with us today either via our online form or by calling us on 0800 328 9354.
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