Fly Identification & Prevention

Flies are an insect, but unlike most other insects with two pairs of wings, flies only have one pair of wings. These insects can fly, but they typically aren't as strong as some other insects because they only have one pair of wings. Flies usually only fly short distances and frequently land and take off from surfaces around our homes. Other characteristics of flies include that they develop from egg to adult quickly, aren't picky when it comes to food, are attracted to moisture, and are most active in warm temperatures.

Below is a list of the flies that you are most likely to spot flying around your Sacramento, California home:

• Drain flies
• Fruit flies
• House flies
• Phorid (humpbacked) flies

Working with a professional to identify the flies on your property is crucial to adequately treating and eliminating your home's fly infestation.

Flies frequently enter our homes and can be frustrating to deter, but that doesn't mean we give up and let them share our homes. Flies are more than a nuisance to have buzzing around our heads and houses; they are a health risk.

Most flies spend their day on or around decaying organic matter. They are constantly coming into contact with bacteria and disease-ridden filth. After coming into contact with food or surfaces that flies have spent time on, you or a family member can become ill.

Flies are attracted to properties that offer them breeding sites and food sources. Compost, animal excrement, garbage, grass piles, and wet soil offer suitable breeding sites for flies.

Flies are scavengers and feed on a variety of sweets and proteins. Open trash cans, outdoor eating, and cooking areas, vegetable gardens, and food stored in your kitchen all provide food sources for flies.

Once flies establish themselves in your yard, they are difficult to keep out of your home. Their small size and ability to fly make it easy for them to move into homes and other structures. A small tear in a screen, a door left open, or an open vent can be used by flies as entry points.

In Sacramento, flies are most active in the spring and summer when temperatures are warm and there are plentiful breeding and feeding sites. 

Inside houses, flies hang out in areas near food and water sources. Specific areas of houses where flies tend to swarm include:

• Clogged drains
• Window sills
• Doorways
• Sinks with dirty dishes
• Wall voids near leaky pipes
• Kitchens
• Bathrooms

Flies are also attracted to lights. In the evening, if flies are present, it is common to see them flying around lights, televisions, and computer screens.

Flies are pesky, persistent pests. If flies take over your yard or home, the most stress-free way to learn what is attracting them and to completely eliminate their presence is to partner with a local and licensed professional. Explorer Pest Management offers exceptional customer service and customizable, ongoing home pest control services in Sacramento that offer a long-term pest solution for flies and other pests. Contact us now to learn more about effective fly control; we want to help you keep flies out of your house.

You can take some simple steps to avoid problems with flies in your Sacramento yard and home. Our top fly prevention tips include:

• Keep tight-fitting lids on trash cans and store outdoor containers away from your home. 
• Make sure screens on windows and doors are intact. 
• Repair leaky hoses, pipes, or fixtures that allow water to pool on your property. 
• Remove piles of decaying organic debris like pet excrement, grass piles, and leaf piles from your property. 
• Never store food on counters or tables; place all perishables in the fridge and dry goods in air-tight containers. 
• Keep sink and tub drains clean and clear of debris. 

Implementing a year-round home pest control plan is the best way to prevent recurring issues with flies.