Warmer weather brings with it fun outside activities, like swimming and picnics and other events. But we’re not the only ones who are more active—so are flies and other pests. During the summer months, flies are very busy and thrive in warmer weather.
While the lifespan of a housefly is only 15-25 days on average, the female can lay as many as 500 eggs in her lifetime. Her eggs will begin to hatch very quickly, and you may suddenly notice more flies around your home, as well as trying to get into your house.
Flies are drawn not only the delicious scent of our food but also to the horrid smell of our garbage as it sits out in the heat until trash pickup day. They're equally happy to land on manure or decaying roadkill. Flies will eat almost anything. Unfortunately, flies don't have good sanitary habits and don't wash their legs before landing on one thing or another. Not to mention, they tend to regurgitate on the food they land on before they eat it.
Given the nasty sites flies visit, they can track bacteria and germs from one place to the next—a good reason not to want them inside our homes or landing on our kitchen counters. So, what can we do to deter them? See below for some tips.
- Do not leave doors propped open unless you have a screen door to prevent flies from entering.
- Repair or install screens on windows and doors if torn.
Seal or caulk any gaps or cracks in your home that flies might be able to get through.
Clean up pet feces from your yard so that it doesn’t attract flies.
Do not put compost piles near your home.
Flies also need water, so it is vital not to have stagnant water on your property. It is also best not to leave dishes in the sink overnight with water in them.
Keep trashcans tightly sealed. Do not put outdoor trashcans near entrances to your home.
Wipe off tables and counters to remove any crumbs. Sweep and vacuum to clean up spills or dropped food.
Keep food covered, especially if you are picnicking outside.
If flies are showing up in your Quad Cities home, there is a chance that spiders may soon follow. Spiders build their webs inside homes to catch pests like flies—another good reason to keep pests from coming inside in the first place.
At Quik-Kill Pest Eliminators, we are confident that our qualified pest control technicians can eliminate your fly and other pest problems. You can either call us or fill out the form on our website to schedule a free Home GuardianSM inspection where we will examine your home and recommend a treatment plan appropriate for you.