Answer
Jun 30, 2018 - 04:51 AM
Every year during the late spring and summer months, the heat seems to bring out the worst of the insect species as pesky flies begin to invade your home.
As potential disease carriers, getting rid of the summer fly problem is a must for many people. The house fly and blow fly, are the two most common types of flies likely to enter your home because they're seeking a food source or they've already found a food source nearby.
Both types of flies share similar life cycles, with both reproducing only in the summer months. They both look for filthy places to lay their eggs. House flies prefer animal waste and garbage, while blow flies are attracted to the bodies of dead animals.
In 7 to 14 days, these eggs can complete the life cycle through larva and pupa to adult.
When the eggs are laid in or near your house, they often fly around inside seeking food and a place to lay more eggs. The most likely place for house flies to lay eggs inside your home is in your garbage can as this is were many people discard left over portions of food, dirty diapers etc.
Blow flies likely come from animals such as squirrels and mice that die inside of walls, under your crawl space or near your home's foundation, although they also breed in animal watse.
Note: While most people may not think about it, it is very possible for small outside animals and rodents such as squirrels and mice to find their way inside the walls of homes where they eventually die attracting flies.
When flies come into your home either through open doors and windows or even the cracks of walls, it's often difficult to get them out. They fly toward the light of windows, but when the windows are closed, the flies can not escape. Blow flies won't breed additional generations once inside your home, unless more animals die inside the walls or in the attic, as an example. House flies, however, can lay eggs inside your garbage can before you even know you have a problem. They gravitate toward sugary liquids for food, but they'll also land on anything sitting out, including meat, which blow flies also enjoy.
Because both species thrive in areas filled with bacteria, they in turn, carry that bacteria with them when they land on your food. This can transmit diseases such as salmonella, E. coli and cholera to you when you unknowingly eat the infected food.
Therefore, you should always cover food when unattended and keep refrigerator doors tightly closed at all times.
Knowing your flies
Common house flies and blow flies are attracted to decaying organic filth such as waste and rotting meat.
Fruit flies seek sugary substances and feed more commonly on overripe fruit, spilled soda, and alcohol.
Drain flies require moist climates and organic materials and will be attracted to drains where they will lay their eggs.
Controlling the fly problem
Many insecticides aren't very effective against flies because they breed so quickly and many people are unaware that the eggs still hatch shortly after you kill the existing adults. Instead, try using sticky fly strips to catch the adults by placing them near windows or other outside light sources. This usually works best. Fly swatters also are effective, but require a little more work as you have to chase down the flies and often missing because they move very quickly. Always disinfect the area where you smashed the fly to ensure no nasty bacteria is left behind. Screening all windows and closing exterior doors quickly can also help keep flies out. The flies will disappear when cold weather hits, but house flies may leave eggs behind during winter months and invade your house next summer.
As potential disease carriers, getting rid of the summer fly problem is a must for many people. The house fly and blow fly, are the two most common types of flies likely to enter your home because they're seeking a food source or they've already found a food source nearby.
Both types of flies share similar life cycles, with both reproducing only in the summer months. They both look for filthy places to lay their eggs. House flies prefer animal waste and garbage, while blow flies are attracted to the bodies of dead animals.
In 7 to 14 days, these eggs can complete the life cycle through larva and pupa to adult.
When the eggs are laid in or near your house, they often fly around inside seeking food and a place to lay more eggs. The most likely place for house flies to lay eggs inside your home is in your garbage can as this is were many people discard left over portions of food, dirty diapers etc.
Blow flies likely come from animals such as squirrels and mice that die inside of walls, under your crawl space or near your home's foundation, although they also breed in animal watse.
Note: While most people may not think about it, it is very possible for small outside animals and rodents such as squirrels and mice to find their way inside the walls of homes where they eventually die attracting flies.
When flies come into your home either through open doors and windows or even the cracks of walls, it's often difficult to get them out. They fly toward the light of windows, but when the windows are closed, the flies can not escape. Blow flies won't breed additional generations once inside your home, unless more animals die inside the walls or in the attic, as an example. House flies, however, can lay eggs inside your garbage can before you even know you have a problem. They gravitate toward sugary liquids for food, but they'll also land on anything sitting out, including meat, which blow flies also enjoy.
Because both species thrive in areas filled with bacteria, they in turn, carry that bacteria with them when they land on your food. This can transmit diseases such as salmonella, E. coli and cholera to you when you unknowingly eat the infected food.
Therefore, you should always cover food when unattended and keep refrigerator doors tightly closed at all times.
Knowing your flies
Controlling the fly problem
Many insecticides aren't very effective against flies because they breed so quickly and many people are unaware that the eggs still hatch shortly after you kill the existing adults. Instead, try using sticky fly strips to catch the adults by placing them near windows or other outside light sources. This usually works best. Fly swatters also are effective, but require a little more work as you have to chase down the flies and often missing because they move very quickly. Always disinfect the area where you smashed the fly to ensure no nasty bacteria is left behind. Screening all windows and closing exterior doors quickly can also help keep flies out. The flies will disappear when cold weather hits, but house flies may leave eggs behind during winter months and invade your house next summer.
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