Small flying bugs in house can be problematic and sometimes even dangerous. For this reason, it’s important to identify these pests and get rid of them as quickly as possible.
In today’s article, we are going to talk about how to get rid of small flying bugs in house issues, as well as how to identify them. But before we begin, let’s talk about why you might have small flying bugs in house issues to begin with.
Keep reading.
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Small Flying Bugs In House – What Gives?
Small flying pests are more than annoying – they can also be dangerous.
There are many reasons why people get small flying bugs in house issues. One of the most common reasons could be if you live near a body of water or near a field or wooded area insects may be attracted to. Flying insects may also be attracted to your home by the lights you turn on at night, or other sources like food on your counters and tables, garbage, or pet waste. (More on this further down)
While pests like small flying insects can be common and active year-round, there is a time of year you might notice these pests are most active. In fact, spring and summer are often considered “pest season” due to the warmer weather and the fact that many pests are hatching, matching, and searching for food sources.
Not only are pests more active around spring and summer, but you may notice an influx of small flying bugs in house issues during the warmer weather when you are most likely to keep windows and doors open.
This means that yes, there is a pest season when these little bugs are most common. Many homeowners have noticed small flying bugs in house during the spring and summer months. This is not surprising because this is when many people open their windows and doors more often, which allows for more of these little critters to enter the home.
What Attracts Small Flying Bugs In House?
Flying pests are often attracted to food sources and excess water.
Small flying bugs can be a nuisance in your home. These tiny insects usually come in through an open window or door. They may also enter your home through cracks and holes in the walls, as we mentioned above.
Once these pests are inside, they can be hard to get rid of, especially if they find a good source of food or shelter inside your home and begin breeding. Below are a few things that could attract small flying bugs to your home:
Improperly stored garbage
Garbage is one of the most common attractants for small flying bugs in houses. If you do not properly store your garbage, it can attract a variety of pests into your home like ants, roaches, gnats, flies, and more. But that’s not all – improperly stored garbage might also attract other pests like rodents.
Fruit bowls on the counter
Fruit bowls left out on your counter may seem appetizing to you, but these bowls are not only attractive to people – but they are also attractive to pests. This is especially true if the fruit is left out to become too ripe. If you want to keep fruit on your counter, be sure to eat it within a day or two to ensure pests are not attracted by the scent of overly ripe fruit.
Wine or beer
Open containers of wine or beer can attract pests like small flying bugs as well as other types of pests including ants. You should always clean up any wine or beer spills immediately so that they do not become an attraction for these annoying little pests!
Crumbs or food left in the sink overnight
Another one of the most common reasons you might see small flying bugs in house issues is because there could be crumbs on your counter or floor or food left on your counters overnight. If this happens regularly, then it could lead to flying pests in the home.
Excess water sources in the house
If there is excess water in your home like leaky pipes or drains and this water has been left unattended, then it can attract small flying bugs into your home. This will create an environment where these pests can breed easily as well as thrive in large numbers. Be sure to repair leaks and dry excess water sources quickly.
Pet waste building up outdoors
Many small flying bugs in house are attracted first to pet waste in the yard. Pet waste can attract flies, mosquitoes, and other pests to the outside of your home, where they can then get into your home. Flies that lay eggs in it can then hatch into maggots that feed on the poop.
If you have pets, be sure to clean up after them regularly and often to keep pests at bay. Also, consider investing in a pest control product that is safe to use around pets and in pet runs.
Accidentally bringing in contaminated food from stores
Accidentally bringing in contaminated food from the grocery store can also attract small flying bugs in house. This is most common with packaged foods you might buy from the grocery store, including foods like flour, grains, processed wheat, barley, or rye products.
Most Common Types of Small Flying Bugs In House Pests You May Encounter
Houseflies are some of the most common home invading pests, but there are many others.
Most Common Types of Small Flying Bugs In House Pests You May Encounter
There are hundreds of thousands of species of insects in the world and over 111,00 species of flying pests. However, only about 91,000 species of insects can be found in the United States.
When people think of small flying bugs in house issues, they commonly think of flies. Flies are common insects characterized by their four legs and two wings, and the most common flies you might be thinking of belong to the order Diptera.
However, not all flying bugs in house pests are going to be due to flies. In fact, many insects can have wings and fly and they may not be related to the type of fly you are thinking of.
When it comes to getting rid of the most common flying pests that are bugging you indoors, it’s important to identify the pests so you can get rid of them properly. Remember, some flying insects can be more dangerous than others. Luckily, most of the small flying bugs in house issues you’re facing are harmless and simply annoying.
Still, it helps to know what you’re up against. Below is a list of some of the most common small flying bugs you might be dealing with inside your home.
- Mosquitos
- Black House Flies
- Wasps
4. Drain Flies - Common Fruit Flies
- Cluster Flies
- Phorid Flies
- Fungus Gnats
- Whiteflies
- Swarmer Ants
Are you wondering which of the above pests have been driving you crazy? Let’s learn more about each of the below pests in more detail.
1. Mosquitoes
Mosquitos are some of the most dangerous flying pests that invade homes.
Mosquitoes are small, flying insects that feed on the blood of mammals and birds. They have a pair of wings, a slender body, three sets of legs, and long antennae. The female mosquito needs blood to develop her eggs and is the culprit behind those annoying, itchy bites. She is most active in warm weather and she needs stagnant water in which to lay her eggs.
Mosquitoes are members of the family Culicidae, which includes more than 3,500 species worldwide. In North America, there are more than 40 different types of mosquitoes that bite humans. Of these, only a few species will bite people indoors. Unfortunately, mosquitoes are considered quite dangerous. In fact, they are considered one of the most dangerous pests not only in the United States but also in the world.
These pests can carry several diseases including West Nile Virus, Zika Virus, and Typhus.
The first step in identifying mosquitoes as the small flying bugs in house culprits is learning what they look like. Mosquitoes are quite small and they are clumsy flyers. They tend to prefer stagnant water sources like ponds or lakes but can get inside through open windows or doors.
Mosquitoes are most easily identified by their long proboscis which they use to bite people and animals. If you do have mosquitos, you can prevent them by keeping doors and windows closed during dusk and dawn, removing excess water sources around your home, and wearing a pest repellent that contains DEET to keep these pests from biting.
2. Black House Flies
The common black house fly is a common pest in homes and can even spread food-borne illnesses.
Black house flies are small, dark-bodied flies. They are usually about 1/2 to 3/4 inches long. Their coloration varies from black to gray or brown with yellow stripes on their abdomens. The female flies have a larger abdomen than the males, but both sexes have very short stubby legs.
These flies can be found around homes and buildings throughout the world. They feed on decaying organic matter such as garbage and feces, making them common small flying bugs in house culprits.
The adult black house fly has large compound eyes and short antennae (feelers). The female has a longer abdomen than the male, but it can be difficult to tell them apart unless you know what you are looking for. Black house flies do not bite people, but they can still be dangerous because they can spread serious food-borne illnesses due to their filthy lifestyle. These pests commonly walk through food, spreading bacteria and germs.
Black house flies are the most common fly in the United States. They are attracted to human food and garbage, which makes them a pest in the home. These flies can carry diseases and contaminate food, as mentioned so it’s important to get rid of them as soon as possible.
Common attractants for black house flies include dirt, dead animals, animal feces, garbage, leftover food, rotting fruit, and pet waste.
To get rid of these pests, work to eliminate their food sources by storing garbage in proper containers with sealing lids. Avoid leaving dirty dishes in the sink overnight, sweep and vacuum often, and clean up pet waste every day.
3. Wasps
Wasps can get into your home when they build nests in eaves or attics.
Another common culprit for small flying bugs in house issues are wasps. Wasps are often seen as frightening and aggressive insects, though most are docile and won’t sting unless they feel threatened or are handled.
But what is a wasp? Wasps are flying insects that are closely related to bees, however, there are distinct differences between the two. The main difference between wasps and bees is that wasps do not live in hives like bees do. Instead, they build their own nests from wood pulp and saliva; this process is called paper nest building or papery construction. A typical wasp nest contains cells for the queen and her offspring, workers, and males.
Though not always aggressive, wasps can be dangerous. This is especially true if you are allergic to them. Wasps can sting repeatedly if disturbed by people or pets because they have very short stinger tubes compared to bees; this makes it easier for them to sting repeatedly without dying.
Wasps have several different food sources, including nectar from flowers, honeydew from aphids and other insects, and other small bugs. Wasps will also eat meat or sweet foods if they can find it. The most common reason wasps visit homes are because of their sweet tooth; they like sugar! If there is any sort of sweet substance in your home (such as soda pop or candy), then you’ll probably attract wasps to your home.
The best way to keep wasps away from your home and out of your house is to make sure that you don’t attract them with sweets or other potential food sources. Also keep your eaves, porch, and garage clean and watch for early signs of potential wasp nests being built too close for comfort.
4. Drain Flies
Drain flies are pests that live in drains, as their name suggests.
If you’re dealing with small flying bugs in house issues or in your bathroom, you might be dealing with drain flies. Drain flies are small, dark-colored flies that live in sewers, septic tanks, and other sources of sewage. They are very common in the southern United States, where they can be found from May through August. In the rest of the country, drain flies appear sporadically during warm weather.
Drain fly larvae measure about 1/8 inch long and have a black head and yellowish body. Adult drain flies are about 1/8 inch long with short antennae and a yellowish thorax (the middle part of an insect’s body). Drain flies look similar to small moths and are often confused for them.
Drain flies can be found in sinks, tubs, and showers. They feed on organic matter and sludge that builds up in drains, though they are not considered a health threat. Still, these small flying bugs in house pests can be annoying, especially if they reproduce in large numbers in your kitchen or bathroom.
Drain flies are attracted to light, which is why they often appear at night. They also like warmth and moisture, which makes it easy for them to find their way inside homes in the summer months. They prefer humid environments over dry ones, so if you live in a dry climate or use air conditioning frequently, you may not have as many problems with drain flies as those who live in humid climates do.
Drain fly infestations are most common in the spring when temperatures begin to rise above freezing at night. The flies will lay their eggs in wet areas such as sewer lines, cesspools and septic tanks where it’s warm enough for them to hatch but too cold for them to mature into adults. Once these larvae hatch, they climb up through the soil until they reach an opening into your home’s plumbing system where they can feed on whatever organic matter is available until winter arrives again when it’s too cold for them to survive indoors anymore!
If you notice drain flies in your home during warmer months then chances are good that there is something going on outside that is attracting them to your home.
5. Common Fruit Flies
Fruit flies are often attracted to fermenting fruits and even wine or beer.
Common fruit flies are tiny insects that can be a problem for many homeowners and could be the culprit behind the small flying bugs in house issues you’re having. They are often confused with other similar-looking insects, such as vinegar flies or drain flies.
Common fruit flies are a type of vinegar fly (Drosophila melanogaster) that commonly infests homes and businesses.
Identifying these pests can be tricky, but when you know what to look for you can determine what you are dealing with. Common fruit flies are small and black with yellow stripes on their heads. They have dark wings and clear wings, with brownish veins running through them. Their abdomens also have yellow stripes running down the center.
The common fruit fly is often found in homes where there is rotting fruit or vegetables, especially during the summer months when fruits are in season and it’s common for home owners to leave fruit baskets on the counter. However, fruit flies can also be found year-round if the temperature stays above 55°F.
The good news is that common fruit flies pose no danger to humans or pets. Instead, they are most commonly a nuisance pest.
Common fruit flies are attracted to ripe or fermenting fruits, especially those that have been contaminated with yeast. This means they may also be attracted to wine and beer. They also feed on overripe melons, bananas and other soft fruits. If you have ripe fruit in your house and want to get rid of common fruit flies, it’s important to remove any food sources they may be attracted to.
Getting rid of common fruit flies is not difficult if you know how they breed and live. The easiest way to get rid of them is by using traps that lure them into sticky surfaces where they can’t escape. You can also use insecticidal sprays and liquids in areas where you’ve seen them congregate.
6. Cluster Flies
Cluster flies are famous for clustering along walls or windows.
Cluster flies, or humpbacked flies, are small, humpbacked flies with long legs and a distinct black-and-yellow pattern on their abdomen. The scientific name of this pest is Polistes fuscatus. A cluster fly will enter a home through an open door or window and then disperse throughout the house. Cluster flies are attracted to bright lights and warmth, and they often will be found inside homes clustering near windows or in corners, hence their names.
These small flying bugs in house pests are easy to identify due to their habits of clustering together. However, you can also identify them by their unique appearance. Cluster flies have a black head and thorax with yellow stripes on the abdomen. These pests have black wings that resemble a paper wasp’s wing coloration, but they don’t have the same hook at the end of their wing. The hind legs are larger than the front legs and can be up to twice as long as the front legs.
These species of flies don’t bite or sting humans or animals, but they can be quite the nuisance.
The best way to get rid of cluster flies is by using an insecticide spray that contains pyrethrins or pyrethroids. These chemicals are known for being safe for use around pets and children as they do not leave any residue behind after application. When you do get rid of cluster flies, be sure to reinforce your home to keep them from returning.
7. Phorid Flies
These tiny black flies are natural decomposers that feed on dead animals and rotting meat.
Phorid flies are tiny, black flies that live in houses and breed in animal corpses. They can be identified by their long legs and wings. These insects are also known as coffin flies due to their attraction to dead animals.
Phorid flies don’t bite or sting humans. They prefer feeding on dead animals instead of living ones, making them an important part of a healthy ecosystem. However, they may cause problems if they infest your house or office area, as they’re known for spreading diseases due to their unclean habits.
The most common way that phorids get into homes is through doors or windows left open during warm weather. These small flying bugs in house pests are attracted to light at night, so they may fly into a room if there is a light on inside. The flies can pass through small cracks in screens or open doors and windows; some may even enter through vents in attics or basements.
To keep phorid flies from entering your home, make sure all doors and windows have tight-fitting screens that close securely at all times when the weather permits them to be open. Also be sure to store garbage properly, as rotting foods and meats can attract these pests.
8. Fungus Gnats
Fungus gnats are attracted to overwatered house plants.
Fungus gnats are small (1/10 inch long), dark-colored flies that feed on plant roots, often in potting soils or other moist environments. They can be a problem in houseplants, especially if the plants are kept in low light conditions.
These small flying bugs in house pests can be difficult to see but they can be seen with the naked eye. The adult insects are about 1/8 of an inch long and have two sets of clear wings that cover their entire body when they fly. They have a slender body and long legs with three segments at their end. Their bodies are usually black or gray but sometimes they may be brownish-red or greenish-yellow depending on their diet while they were larvae.
Fungus gnats are attracted to moisture and decaying organic matter. They thrive in damp places such as soil-filled pots, houseplants and even under kitchen sinks. They can also be found in bathrooms where moisture is high due to showering or bathing.
To control fungus gnat populations, you must first identify the source of their food supply. Once you have identified this, then you can take steps to eliminate it by cleaning up any plant debris that may be lying around or keeping your plant pots dry by not over-watering them. If there are no signs of fungal growth on your plants then the next step would be to change their potting soil completely with fresh potting soil that does not contain any decaying matter.
9. Whiteflies
These small white pests are often found in greenhouses.
Whiteflies are small, white, winged insects that feed on the undersides of leaves. Whitefly infestations can cause leaves to yellow or drop off the plant, and in some cases, they may also cause stunted growth.
Whiteflies are common pests found in gardens and greenhouses, and they can sometimes be the cause of small flying bugs in house issues.
The most noticeable sign of a whitefly infestation is the excessive amount of tiny flies buzzing around your plants or crawling across your window screens or walls. If you see these small flying insects around your plants or house windows, then there’s likely an infestation of whiteflies nearby.
Whiteflies could have entered your home because they are attracted to light. You can see them flying around the window screens or even on walls near windows and doors where there’s a lot of light coming in. They also like moist areas, so if you have potted plants or water sitting around, that could attract them as well.
To get rid of whiteflies, remove excess water sources and clean up any standing water from plants or houseplants. Also consider replacing wet potting soil with dry soil. Be sure you keep doors and windows closed, use screens, and invest in fly traps at night when you have lights on around your windows.
10. Swarmer Ants
Swarmer ants are often ants that are breeding.
Swarmer ants are a type of breeding ant that is common in the United States. They are about 1/16 inch long and their bodies are light brown to black in color. The head, thorax, and abdomen of this type of ant are a uniform color and their antennae have 12 segments.
The most obvious sign of swarmer ants is when you see them flying around your home. These tiny flying insects can be seen during certain times of the year, especially during spring and summer months. Though not dangerous, swarmer ants could be a sign that you have an ant infestation nearby and these ants may be breeding.
The main cause of swarmer ant infestation is moisture. If there is enough water present in your home or yard, then it becomes an ideal breeding ground for these insects who thrive in warm temperatures with lots of moisture available to them. Another common attractant could be food. Like many pests, ants are attracted to food sources left behind by humans.
To get rid of these pests, invest in a quality pest control product designed to get rid of ants and ant colonies. It’s also important to keep ants at bay in the future by practicing good home maintenance habits.
How To Keeping Small Flying Bugs In House Under Control
Avoid leaving dirty dishes in the sink over night.
Getting rid of small flying bugs in house issues can seem daunting, but in reality these pests can be controlled using common products you purchase online or at your local store. You can also keep these pests at bay by following the below tips and tricks from experts:
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- Keep garbage stored properly
- Keep doors and windows closed during dusk and dawn
- Invest in yellow bug-repellent porch lights
- Check foods before purchasing them
- Keep up with routine home maintenance
- Keep up with yard maintenance to keep outdoor pests from getting inside
- Invest in screens that are bug-proof
- Clean up pet waste properly
- Avoid leaving dirty dishes in the sink overnight
- Sweep and vacuum often
- Remove excess water sources
- Use a quality pest control product year-round
We hope this has been a helpful guide on the most common small flying bugs in house culprits. Now we want to hear from you. Which small flying bugs in house issues are you dealing with on our above list? Tell us below in the comment section.
Jack founded our blog after two decades of working in the pest control industry. His vast experience dealing with a wide array of pests allows him to diagnose issues quickly and get to the heart of pest problems quickly and effectively. He has serviced more than 2,000 homes over his career and there is hardly any pest situation that he has not seen before.