How Are Flies Getting In My House? Why You Have Flies And How To Get Rid Of Them 

How are flies getting in my house?

This is likely a question you’re asking yourself, especially if you’ve noticed an influx of flies around your home. An abundance of flies in your house could be a sign of a serious infestation, and the more flies you have the worse the infestation is.

Flies are problematic not just because they are a nuisance, but because they tend to breed and feast in filth. This means flies are some of the most common pests known to transmit disease to people inside the home due to the spread of bacteria.

So, how are flies getting in my house, why are flies getting in my house, and how can I stop flies from getting in my house in the future? These are all questions we are here to answer.

But first, let’s talk about the most common types of house flies you might be dealing with. Keep reading.

What Are The Most Common Types Of Flies That Get Inside?

Different types of flies could mean different problems in your home.

When questioning why are flies getting in my house, you may also be questioning which types of flies are getting in.

Many of us think of house flies as common black flies we come across often, but the reality is that there are many different species of house flies you could be dealing with. Different flies require different methods of removal and treatment, and this goes for different types of house flies.

There are two types of house flies, and most experts like to divide these species by size when it comes to identification.

While there are a number of species of houseflies, there are six common species you’re the most likely to be dealing with when asking yourself why are flies getting in my house.

Large house fly or fifth fly species include the common house fly, the cluster fly, and the blowfly. Smaller species include the fruit fly, the lesser house fly, and the drain fly.

With that noted, let’s take a look at the most common types of house flies you may be dealing with.

The Common House Flies

The common housefly is considered the most common type of house fly homeowners contend with. These flies are either black or grey, with dark lines down their thorax. Common house flies are about six to seven mm in length. They have reddish eyes, transparent wings, and six legs.

Like many types of flies, house flies are attracted to decaying organic matter like garbage, feces, rotting food, and other waste. They tend to congregate in areas where people and pets are present and are commonly responsible for causing illnesses like typhoid fever, cholera, shigellosis, and E. coli.

Cluster Flies

Also known as attic flies, cluster flies are large, slow-moving flies that are named for their propensity for “clustering” near windows and ceilings. They are larger than common house flies and are often a grayish color with black markings. Like houseflies, cluster flies have transparent wings and six legs.

Cluster flies are primarily attracted to light, which is often why people find them congregating near windows. Unlike common house flies, cluster flies are not attracted to rotting organic matter.

In fact, male cluster flies feed on plant sap and flower nectar, making them somewhat beneficial pollinators. Though cluster flies can be unnerving when looking into how are flies getting in my house, we should note here that cluster flies are not known to carry or spread harmful diseases.

Blow Flies

Blow flies may also be found in homes and are some of the most formidable. These pests are a shiny green or blue color with transparent wings and six legs. They can lay hundreds of eggs at a time and are some of the most dangerous types of filth flies due to their propensity for laying eggs and feeding on dead carcasses, feces, and other rotting organic matter.

Blow flies are known to spread diseases like the plague, tularemia, anthrax, tuberculosis, and other illnesses.

Fruit Flies

If you’ve noticed small flies in your kitchen, you’re likely wondering how are flies getting in my house and what are these small pests? Chances are, these tiny flies are fruit flies.

Fruit flies belong in the smaller family of house flies. They are highly attracted to fruits, especially rotting fruits that are left on the counter to become overripe. Fruit flies are also commonly found clustering around wine.

Though very small, fruit flies can lead to illnesses in people due to the spread of bacteria. One of the most common illnesses fruit flies are responsible for in people is dysentery.

Drain Flies

Also known as moth flies, drain flies are commonly mistaken for small moths. They congregate in areas where there is plenty of moisture, as they primarily feed on the buildup inside drains and pipes.

Drain flies also lay their eggs inside these pipes, which means your bathroom or kitchen could quickly become infested with these pests.

Though these pests can be serious problems due to the fact that they infest in large numbers, they are not known to spread diseases to people or pets.

Lesser House Fly

Smaller than house flies, lesser houseflies are attracted to decaying organic matter and fecal matter, making them highly unsanitary.

Like the common house fly, the lesser housefly is known for spreading serious diseases to humans. Some of the illnesses they spread include cholera, typhoid, dysentery, and anthrax.

So, while not all of the above houseflies are dangerous to your health, many are. For this reason, we’re glad you’re here asking how are flies getting in my house.

But in order to answer this question more specifically, we must understand what attracts these types of flies in more detail.

How Are Flies Getting In My House And What Attracts Flies Inside?

Flies are attracted by a number of things and it’s easier than you may realize for them to get inside your home.

As we now know, many of the houseflies you’re dealing with are attracted to different things. However, there is a common theme with most of them, and understanding what these flies are attracted to can help to answer how are flies getting in my house and why.

Most house fly species are attracted to the following:

• Light
• Pet Waste
• Human Waste
• Garbage
• Food
• Rotting Fruit
• Rotting Vegetables
• Rotting Meat
• And Water

While all of the above attractants to house flies don’t guarantee an infestation, a buildup of the above can contribute to one. Remember, house flies are commonly called filth flies for this very reason.

But how are flies getting in my house, you ask?

Most flies get in through vulnerabilities in your home. They can enter through cracks and crevices in your siding, gaps in doors, tears in screens, and entrance points in attics, chimnies, or crawl spaces.

Flies can also get into your home simply by flying through open doors or windows at the right moment.

We should note here that a single pregnant female fly can be responsible for an infestation in your home. If you have suddenly noticed an influx of flies in your house and are wondering how are flies getting in my house, you may have simply had one female get in and lay her eggs.

Once this happens, it’s important to quickly move on to treatment and preventative measures.

How Can I Get Rid Of Flies In My House? Methods And Products That Work

Flies reproduce quickly and can transmit bacteria that can lead to illness.

Finding one or two flies in your home is a normal occurrence, but when you notice an abundance of these pests, it’s important to ask yourself, “how are flies getting in my house?”.

Now that we understand the answer to the question, how are flies getting in my house, we should now talk about methods of treatment and prevention.

Along with taking precautions to ensure flies cannot get in as easily (which we’ll cover further down), we will first talk about treatment.

Remember, if you’ve noticed an abundance of flies in your home, there is a chance an infestation has already occurred. This could mean that eggs have been laid and have hatched, which will lead to another lifestyle and even more eggs being glide and hatched if this problem isn’t handled right away.

In order to treat a house fly problem, it’s important to use the right products. Below are some of the best fly removal products you can use for how are flies getting in my house. Take a look.

Wondercide Indoor Pest Control Spray

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Getting rid of flies indoors often means using a pest control spray or product to kill and repel them. This can be concerning for those with children and pets, and especially if you have flies congregating in your kitchen or in other areas where food is stored and prepared.

The good news is that there are natural options for fly control, and one of our favorites is a product called Wondercide. Wondercide provides a plant-best insecticide that uses essential oils for pest control like peppermint, cedarwood oil, rosemary oil, and more to control and repel pests like houseflies, spiders, gnats, fruit flies, cluster flies, ants, roaches, and other common household pests.

This product is perfectly safe to use around children and animals and it is also environmentally friendly.

Katchy Indoor Automatic Fly Trap

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If you have an abundance of flies in your home, a fly trap will be an essential tool to catch and remove them. We like the above automatic fly trap by Katchy because it is small, effective, discrete, and uses light to lure flies in as opposed to a foul-smelling bait.

This product keeps working to catch flies using a fan, and there is no loud zapping sound. This quiet fly trap continues to work inside your home and not only works for pests like flies but also many other flying insects as well.

Terro Indoor Fly Traps

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Another indoor fly trap you might consider when asking yourself how are flies getting in my house is a product by Terro. Again, this is a discrete fly trap product that works using a lure and traps the flies using an odorless bait.

The product is designed to go on windows and walls and comes with adhesive stickers already attached that will not damage the paint. Each order includes two traps and four lures, as well as four glue board inserts.

Best Products For Fly Prevention

Stopping flies inside could mean stopping them outside first.

Now that we know how to treat flies and now that you understand how are flies getting in my house, it’s time to talk about prevention. We always like to say that prevention is key when it comes to pest control, and this is especially true when it comes to not only how are flies getting in my house, but how to keep them out.

When it comes to prevention, you can use tactics like common home maintenance and natural remedies to keep flies under control. You can also purchase products that allow you to implement a routine pest control management system year-round.

Some of the best products you can use for how to keep flies from entering your home include those listed below.

Neatmaster Ultrasonic Pest Repellent

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We like ultrasonic pest repellents for fly control because these products are very user-friendly and consistent. They work using ultrasonic sounds and vibrations that are extremely annoying to pests like flies but are harmless and even unnoticeable to people and pets.

The above ultrasonic pest repeller by Neatmaster comes with several frequencies that you can choose depending on the severity of your pest problem inside. However, we should note that when turned to its highest frequency, you will be able to hear this product and this sound could be irritating to pets.

Not only do ultrasonic pest repellents work for flies, but they also work for other pests like rodents, lizards, spiders, scorpions, roaches, ants, and more.

Wondercide Outdoor Pest Control Spray

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We did mention that Wondercide came in both an indoor and outdoor formula, and while we are focusing on how are flies getting in my house, it’s important to keep in mind that most fly problems begin outdoors.

When it comes to fly control and keeping flies out of your home, we suggest using a year-round pest control spray like the above Wondercide spray for outdoors. This product is harmless to beneficial insects but works great to repel flies, mosquitoes, earwigs, and many other pests you don’t want in your yard or garden.

Again, this product is perfectly safe to use around children and pets and it will not harm the environment.

Home Remedies For Flies Getting In The Home

While flies can be annoying, there are some products you may already have at home to help control them.

While using store-bought products can work well for getting rid of pesky and dirty house flies, you also have the option of using home remedies and do-it-yourself pest control methods.

Many household ingredients can work effectively for getting rid of house flies. So, now that we’ve answered how are flies getting in my house, let’s talk about home remedies you can use to manage them if you’re in a pinch.

Make Your Own Fly Trap

First, we recommend starting by making a fly trap. This will not only help control the flies that are getting into your home, but it will help you monitor your control methods to ensure they are working. You can also identify the pests easier if you are able to catch them.

There are a few different methods you can use to make a DIY fly trap in your home. The first method is to use construction paper and honey.

Simply coat a piece of paper with honey and leave the paper out on countertops and tables. The flies will be attracted to the sweet honey and get stuck on the paper. You can dispose of fo the paper anytime it becomes full of flies, or replace it if the honey begins to dry up.

The other method for making a fly trap once you have answered “how are flies getting in my house”, is to use a jar, a funnel or piece of paper, and a slice of fruit.

First, slice a piece of fruit and place it in a clear jar or cup. Next, either roll a piece of paper into a funnel shape or use a funnel and place it with the narrow side down into the jar. Then leave the jar out in the open where you have noticed fly activity.

The fruit will entice the flies to enter the jar, and the funnel shape of the paper will keep them from escaping back out again.

While we do like both of these methods for fly control once you know how are flies getting in my house, we should note that these methods are not going to stop fly infestations. Use these in conjunction with other products or home remedies for house fly control.

Use Essential Oils

Another home remedy you can use to control house flies once you have answered how are flies getting in my house is to use essential oils.

There are several types of essential oils experts recommend for pest control, but not all of them will work when it comes to dealing with flies. The best essential oils to help repel flies include:

• Peppermint Oil
• Citrus Oil
• Citronella Oil
• Eucalyptus Oil
• Tea Tree Oil
• Lavender Oil
• Tea Tree Oil
• And Cinnamon Oil

You have a couple of options when it comes to how you use essential oils for fly control. You can either use the cotton ball method, or you can make your own fly repellent spray.

The cotton ball method is perhaps the easiest method to use, as all you need are a couple of cotton balls and the essential oil of your choice.

Simply saturate a few cotton balls in your chosen essential oil and place these cotton balls in areas you have noticed fly activity. While this method may not help treat severe fly infestations, it can help repel flies as they are repulsed by the strong smell of the above-listed oils.

You can also use a homemade essential oil spray. This recipe requires 15 to 20 drops of the essential oil of your voice, two cups of water, and a few drops of liquid dish soap. Mix this solution into a spray bottle and shake it until it is sudsy.

You can spray this solution anywhere you have noticed fly activity and also spray it directly on flies to kill them on contact.

Once you have figured out how are flies getting in my house, you can also target specific areas to treat. For example, you can spray this spray around doorways, windows, and attics to help repel flies and keep them from returning.

Try Apple Cider Vinegar And Dishsoap

While you can use vinegar to repel certain pests, apple cider vinegar actually works to attract flies. You can use this to your advantage and make your own apple cider vinegar trap by placing a bowl of apple cider vinegar mixed with soap in areas with high levels of fly activity.

The flies will land in the apple cider vinegar to get a drink and end up drowning in the soapy concoction.

You can also use the jar and funnel trick we mentioned above to entice the flies, and instead of using a slice of fruit, you can use some vinegar.

Make Your Own Ginger Spray

Another spray you can use when asking yourself “how are flies getting in my house” is a ginger spray to repel flies. For this, you will need two tablespoons of ground ginger powder and four cups of water. Combine this mixture into a spray bottle and spray it around the entry and exit points of your home to keep flies at bay.

How Are Flies Getting In My House And How Can I Stop Them For Good?

Staying on top of fly control means less work and money on your part in the future.

No matter where you are in the country, chances are you’ll be dealing with flies in some form or fashion. These pests are some of the most common and annoying pests in the insect world.

Unfortunately, and as we’ve mentioned above, filth flies are the most common fly species known to congregate around humans and in homes. These pests are highly unsanitary and can spread serious diseases, so it’s not only wise to treat flies once you have figured out how are flies getting in my house but to also prevent them in the future.

There are several methods of prevention you can use, according to experts, when it comes to keeping flies out of your home. Take a look.

Keep Your Home Clean and Tidy

First and foremost, the best way to reduce flies is to ensure your home and property are clean. Most houseflies prefer filth, so keeping your home clean and clutter-free will make your home less hospitable to these pests.

Removing debris, clutter, dust, and buildup can also help reduce your chances of dealing with other pests in your home like rodents, spiders, roaches, and ants.

Don’t leave dirty dishes in the sink overnight, and remember to clean and vacuum often to remove any leftover food crumbs or organic matter that could entice flies.

Keep Your Yard Free Of Pet Waste

Pet waste is a sure way to attract flies, and when flies are in your yard they can easily make their way into your home.

If you have dogs or cats, it’s important to remove and dispose of their waste properly to prevent a buildup of flies near or inside your home.

Store Garbage Appropriately

Invest in garbage bins with lids that seal shut. Not only will this prevent flies from being more attracted to your home due to the smell of rotting foods and garbage, but it can also stop other pests from becoming a problem like ants and roaches.

Implement Proper Home Maintenance

When asking yourself how are flies getting in my house, one of the biggest causes is due to gaps in doorways, cracks, and crevices, ripped scenes, and open doors. Because flies are small, they can use almost any vulnerability around your home as an entry point, which could lead to an infestation.

Do routine home maintenance and repair any potential entry points you find around your home to help keep flies from getting inside.

Use A Pest Control Regiment Year-Round

And finally, it’s important to implement a routine form of pest control year-round. While flies may be more of a seasonal pest for some, it’s still wise to be proactive and use products and methods you trust.

Doing this and following our above steps for fly removal should hopefully mean you never again have to ask yourself “how are flies getting in my house?”.

Best of luck and thanks for reading!