There aren’t many things as annoying as a swarm of flies living in your home. The manner in which they buzz around is enough to drive any person insane. The problem is flies aren’t just obnoxious; they can also be quite dangerous. Therefore, if you are a Houston homeowner, you need to know the effective fly prevention methods that you can rely on to keep these unwanted pests out of your home. Furthermore, should your Houston home become overrun with flies, you need to know the reliable fly control options to which you can turn to get rid of them.
Identifying Common Local Flies
Three fly species are common home invaders here in Houston. They are houseflies, blow flies, and fruit flies. Houseflies grow to be about five millimeters long and are typically gray, brown, and black. Blow flies look similar but grow a bit larger and are more metallic. Fruit flies are smaller than houseflies and blow flies; they have brownish-yellow bodies and bright red eyes. All flies have six legs, wings, and compound eyes that provide them with a wide field of vision.
No matter which fly species you are dealing with, you don’t want flies coming into your home. Not only are these flies annoying, but they can also be dangerous. Flies love decaying organic matter, including animal excrement. As such, they often land in unsanitary locations where they can pick up harmful bacteria or other disease-causing pathogens. They can then spread those contaminants to surfaces and even food that’s stored improperly.
Why Do Flies Enter Homes?
Flies, like many other pests, enter homes in search of food and water sources. Therefore, factors such as improperly stored food and trash or moisture issues can attract flies. Many flies are also attracted to decaying organic matter. As such, decaying vegetation in your garden and pet droppings can attract them to your property from where they will find their way inside. Flies usually enter homes through open doors and windows. Additionally, they can reproduce quickly; once they get into your home, their populations can skyrocket almost overnight. Given this and their tendency to spread contaminants, you need to know and utilize effective fly prevention methods.
How To Reduce Factors That Attract Flies
Fly prevention is critical to limiting your family’s exposure to the various threats that flies pose. The best way to keep flies out of your home is by reducing the factors that attract them and sealing off potential entry points. To achieve these two goals, you should:
- Store food in airtight containers or the refrigerator.
- Keep countertops and floors clean and free of food debris.
- Take out the trash regularly and store garbage in bins with tight-fitting lids.
- Throw away decaying fruits and vegetables.
- Pick up and properly dispose of pet waste.
- Install screens in windows and exterior doors.
- Install door sweeps under exterior doors.
By following these fly prevention methods, you should be able to greatly cut down on flies in your Houston home.
Effective Fly Control For Your Houston Home
If you have any further questions regarding fly prevention, or if you are currently dealing with a fly infestation in your Houston home, contact the professionals here at All-Safe Pest & Termite right away. Our certified pest technicians have the experience and expertise needed to effectively eliminate any fly infestation you may face in your Houston home. You don’t need to put up with these annoying and dangerous pests. So give us a call today to get started with fly control solutions that work for you. We also offer our pest control to Houston businesses.