Fly Control Basics

Few pests are more difficult to control than the common house fly, which is found all over the world. Between the seafood industry and the poultry industry, Delmarva has more than its fair share of flies. They enter structures, buzz around, land on humans, land on food, and generally make a nuisance of themselves. But that’s not all. In addition to annoying humans, flies can transmit a number of diseases and viruses, including E. coli and viral hepatitis.

Adults flies are about 8-12 mm long, and reproduce quickly during their short lives, which range from a week to a month. Females lay approximately 500 eggs, in separate batches of 75-100. Left unchallenged, a small fly population can explode within a matter of weeks.

As with all pests, the best way to control flies is by preventing them from entering your home in the first place. Check screens for holes and tears, check weather stripping around doors and windows, and seal all holes. This probably won’t be enough to keep the flies out, though, as they can easily zip through an open door while someone enters or leaves the house.

Flies feed on decaying organic matter, including food, plants, grass clippings, and manure. You may not be able to keep flies outside — not 100% of them, anyway — but you can be sure that your kitchen, utility room, and garbage area aren’t an all-you-can-eat buffet for these unwanted visitors. Clean thoroughly and frequently. Eliminating food sources makes it more difficult for flies to breed.

Although we don’t offer fly control as a residential service, due to the impracticality of treating homes on a weekly basis, we do offer a fly control service to commercial establishments. For more information, call our office at 302-436-8140.

Published: August 11, 2013