They land on your food, crawl on your skin, and always seem to dart out from under your palm as your hand crashes down. And this time of year, as the temperature cools, they’re making their way into the warmth of your home. Flies are a nuisance, and once one gets stuck behind window blinds, the buzzing and rattling drones on for hours. Beyond being an annoyance, however, flies carry disease and pose a health risk to you and your family. An infestation increases their likelihood of spreading illness. As with most types of pests, preventative measures can be taken, now, to prevent the need for more serious actions later in the season.
While flytraps remain a favorite temporary solution, killing adult flies simply reduces their population. Houseflies have a rapid growth rate, maturing from larva to adult in just seven days. They reproduce quickly, too. As many as 10-12 generations might live out their lifecycles in a given year. Therefore, controlling fly populations means identifying and eliminating breeding grounds. Sanitary practices can aid in this. Leftover food items, if not sealed or kept in the fridge, should be destroyed, and garbage cans and dumpsters should not only have tight-fitting lids but should be regularly cleaned and drained, as well. Once breeding sites have been minimized, doors, windows, and vents should be proofed to prevent flies from entering the home.
As bothersome as flies can be, it’s important to remember that they play an essential role in our ecosystem. By further breaking down decaying organic matter, flies aid the decomposition process, helping to return nutrients soil. If flies are finding their way from nature to your personal habitat, however, you’d do well to call the Masters.