The Top Fly Pest Problem Questions Answered

Does your home have a pest problem? If flies have made your home their own, take a look at what you need to know about this common residential invader, pest control, and professional extermination.

Are Flies Common Pests?

According to the National Pest Management Association, flies are one of the most common pests, with 18,000 kinds of the invaders found in North America. Even though there are thousands of fly species in the United States., you won't find every type in homes or other interior structures.

The most common residential flies in America are the house fly, little house fly, blow fly, and stable fly. If your home has a fly invasion, identification is the first step towards a solution.

How Can You Identify Common Flies?

Visual identification is an easy way to pinpoint the type of fly in your home. Along with the fly's appearance, its behavior can also provide clues as to which type it is. To identify some of the most common residential flies, look for:

• The house fly. The most common culprit behind in-home invasions, the adult house fly is between one-eighth and one-fourth of an inch long, according to the National Pest Management Association. These flies have hairy gray bodies and four dark stripes on the thorax.
• The little house fly. These smaller-sized flies are nearly two-thirds the size of the house fly, according to the University of California. Unlike house flies, the little house fly doesn't have stripes on its thorax.
• The blow fly. Blow flies have a metallic greenish blue or cooper-like color.
• The stable fly. These flies look like house flies — minus the four dark stripes.

If you're not sure what type of fly your home has, a pest control professional can help you to identify the invader and take the next steps towards extermination.

How Can You Eliminate Flies in Your Home?

A fly or two doesn't indicate an invasion. But if you have a steady swarm of flies inside your home, see larva in your garbage or other household areas, or notice flies gathering in your yard, it's time to get help.

While there are do-it-yourself products available online and in home improvement stores, these may not completely eliminate your home's pest problem. Before you try a DIY approach to fly control:

• Assess the infestation. Where are the flies? How many of the pests do you see? You'll need accurate information about the infestation to help a pest control professional understand the invasion issue.
• Choose a pest control professional. Make sure the exterminator has experience with flies. Not all pest control contractors work with every type of insect. The contractor should have plenty of experience and expertise with the species of fly in your home.
• Let the contractor work. The pest control professional has the knowledge, skills, and equipment necessary to eliminate the fly issue. Take a step back and let the contractor inspect, identify, and exterminate the flies in your home. 
• Schedule repeat services. A one-time approach may not completely eliminate this issue. Schedule routine pest maintenance services to prevent a repeat infestation. Not only can routine services exterminate flies that come back, it also provides protection.
• Stick to the schedule. If the exterminator sets up a pest control schedule, stick to it. Even though you might get busy or forget about the flies, the longer your home goes in between services, the more likely it is the invaders will return.

If you're not sure which contractor to call, ask friends, family members, or neighbors for suggestions. Review references and look for positive experiences other customers have had with the same (or similar) service your home requires.

Do you need help to control a residential pest problem? Contact Paffy's Pest Control for more information.