Four ways to eliminate flies from your home

House flies are known pests in homes around the world. Several methods can help get rid of houseflies. The common housefly, scientifically known as Musca domestica, is a non-stinging fly. However, each one can carry over a million bacteria that can be transmitted to food and surfaces. Several methods can help control houseflies, including drain treatments and insecticide sprays.

In this article we look at how to get rid of houseflies. We also check if they pose a health risk.

4 ways to get rid of house flies

There are a variety of techniques to eliminate houseflies. Here are four of the most effective methods:

House cleaning.

Water is necessary for the reproduction of flies. It is an essential part of their diet, as flies cannot live for more than 48 hours without access to water. Many housefly infestations are caused by excess moisture and debris buildup in the home. Water can often collect in damp or damp areas such as sinks or sinks.

The following areas should be checked and cleaned:

Flooring, remove food or leftovers
Sinks, bathtub or shower drains
banks
dirty mop
Inside the trash cans
Under appliances, such as refrigerators
Cracks in floor or wall tiles where bacteria can grow.

Houseflies usually enter from the outside but sometimes breed inside. Indoor breeding sites are more common in buildings with indoor rubbish rooms and compactors.

Maintaining clean sites where houseflies tend to breed can prevent future infestations. Particular attention should be paid to:

To areas of standing water, such as gutters
Keep doors or other entry points closed
pet cleaning
Keep trash cans and their surroundings clean
Clean moldy foods, such as apples that fell from a tree
Clean kitchen and bathroom surfaces regularly
Use of pipe processors

Constant humidity in the tubes provides a favorable environment for the reproduction of flies. Sometimes they can land on the walls around a tub or shower.

To check for flies in the drain

Put clear tape over the drain inlet.
Make sure the sticky side is facing down.
Leave a little space to allow air to flow through the drain and encourage flies.
Check periodically for flies stuck to the tape. The number of flies that stick indicates the extent of the infestation.

Cleaning the drain should destroy the breeding site and end the infestation. There are several options for cleaning it. However, regular bleach or sewage cleaners are ineffective in removing bacteria. Anyone can:

Use a pipe cleaning brush to scrub the sides: the brush should be as abrasive as a wire brush. Use several pots of boiling water to remove dirt after brushing.

Mix baking soda, salt, and vinegar to make a solution: Pour the solution down the drain and leave it overnight. Then come back in the morning to pour boiling water down the drain to flush out the debris.

Use antibacterial drain treatments: however, they may take several weeks to work.

Install fly traps

There are many types of fly traps that can help eliminate an infestation of flies. These devices include:

Light traps use ultraviolet rays to attract flies and a plate of glue to trap them. They are more effective against large flies.
Traps that use a low voltage electric current to stun flies.
Traps that use baits to attract flies, such as honey or other sweet flavors.
Devices that use pheromones to attract flies. Fly traps are useful in identifying an infestation, but they rarely get rid of the problem.

Try fly sprays or insecticides

Several insecticide sprays and sprays can help control the flies. If they can eliminate the flies individually, there are more effective ways to eliminate the infestation.

Pyrethrin, an insecticide that is toxic to insects, can be purchased as a spray to treat adult flies. These nebulizers are a temporary solution that can be useful in combination with other techniques. People who use fly sprays or insecticides should use caution to avoid direct contact with the skin or eyes and not to inhale them. Pyrethrin is not very toxic but it can irritate the skin or cause other mild symptoms.

Health risks of flies

Flies are generally not dangerous, but they can be pests. A person may find a variety of them around the house, including house flies or fruit flies. Some flies carry germs, such as bacteria and other infectious agents, which spread upon contact with people or food. These germs can cause illnesses and symptoms, such as:

dysentery
Diarrhea
typhoid fever
cholera
trachoma
epidemic conjunctivitis
skin infections

However, house flies are not considered significant vectors of disease.

Summary

House fly infestations are rarely harmful. People can try different techniques to control houseflies. It is important to keep the home and outdoor areas clean to treat and prevent any problems that may arise. Several products can help get rid of houseflies, including traps and sprays. Caution should be exercised when using insecticidal sprays, which may cause mild skin irritation.

source

Khamisipour, F, et al. (2018). Systematic review of human pathogens carried by the house fly (Musca domestica L.).