What You Need To Know About Flies
Flies are an important part of the ecosystem, but they should not be part of our homes and businesses. Outside flies are scavengers helping to get rid of decaying organic matter; inside, they are both a nuisance and a danger.
Frequently Asked Questions About Flies
What are flies?
Flies are common invaders of both homes and businesses in Texas. Flies belong to the insect order Diptera, which means “two wings”. Flies have two wings (1 pair) while most other adult insects have four wings (2 pairs). Flies are prolific breeders, and if the conditions are right, can become problematic for any home or business owner.
Some of the most common species of flies living in the Houston, Dallas, and Fort Worth areas of Texas are drain flies, fruit flies, and house flies.
y. They are gray to dark gray in color, and their bodies and wings are covered in fuzzy hairs. Drain flies are poor fliers and have a short, frenzied flight path. Their worm-like larvae are whitish in color and legless.
Drain flies
Drain flies are a small species of fly. They are gray to dark gray in color, and their bodies and wings are covered in fuzzy hairs. Drain flies are poor fliers and have a short, frenzied flight path. Their worm-like larvae are whitish in color and legless.
Fruit flies
Fruit flies have small, oval-shaped bodies and large compound eyes that are red, brown, or black in color. Their bodies are yellowish-brown to brownish-black and their wings are translucent. Their larvae bodies are whitish in color except for their two dark-colored mouth-hooks. Their bodies are tapered at the head and rounded at the back-end.
House flies
House flies are dull gray in color. They have two velvety stripes on their faces and their thorax has four narrow stripes running down it. They also have specialized spongy mouthparts that they use for feeding on liquids. Their greasy-appearing larvae (maggots) are eyeless, legless, taper from rear to head, and are cream in color.
Are flies dangerous?
Flies have the potential to be dangerous pests. They have the ability to spread many diseases, human pathogens, and parasites to people. Flies pick up bacteria on their bodies and legs as they fly around feeding and landing on unsanitary things like carrion, excrement, decaying vegetation, and debris found in drains. Flies spread dysentery, diarrhea, cholera, conjunctivitis, and parasitic tapeworms.
Why do I have a fly problem?
Flies are attracted to properties that offer easy access to their preferred food, water, and shelter sources. Flies feed on a variety of foods, including decaying vegetation, meat, excrement, fruits and vegetables, carrion, and fermenting liquids. Flies typically make their way inside homes through spaces around windows and doors, torn screens, and through cracks in the foundation while foraging for food sources. Fruit flies often make their way into homes on infested fruits and vegetables that were purchased from the grocery store. Drain flies mate and lay eggs in areas of moisture or standing water. Their favorite breeding spot is in the slimy debris that builds up inside drains.
Where will I find flies?
Outside, flies gather around food and water sources. Flies can be found in large numbers buzzing around compost piles, gardens, clogged gutters, garbage bins, and animal excrement. Inside homes and other buildings, house flies are most often found in kitchens, pantries, and other areas where food is stored. Drain flies feed and breed inside sinks, showers, and bathtub drains. Fruit flies feed and breed on ripe or decaying fruits and vegetables. Fruit flies can become problematic in homes, grocery stores, restaurants, and food processing facilities.
How do I get rid of flies?
The best way to solve your property’s fly problem is to partner with a local pest control company. When you partner with Cantu Pest & Termite, our knowledgeable and friendly professionals will provide the comprehensive services needed to eliminate flies and prevent their return. With over 30 years in the pest control industry, we are proud to provide all of our customers with dependable, affordable, and eco-friendly home pest control and commercial pest control solutions. To learn more about eliminating flies and other household pests from your Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, or surrounding area home, reach out to Cantu!
How can I prevent flies in the future?
In addition to our professional pest control services in Dallas, the following tips can help to prevent problems with flies on your Texas property:
- Eliminate entrance points by sealing cracks and crevices in the foundation and exterior walls of your home.
- Remove easy access to water by ensuring that gutters are well-maintained.
- Make sure that door and window screens are completely intact.
- Place weather stripping around windows and doors.
- Make sure outdoor trashcans have locking lids on them.
- Store food at your home either inside the refrigerator or in containers with air-tight lids.
- Reduce access to food sources by planting vegetable and fruit gardens a distance away from the outside of your home.
- Limit breeding sites by keeping drains clear of clogs, securing lids on trashcans and compost bins, and cleaning up after pets daily.