4 Things That You May Not Know Attracts Flies

Flies are not only an annoying buzzing creature to have around you, but they’re also a transmission vector for many kinds of bacterial infections that can be quite harmful to your family or those in the vicinity. Regular house flies and filth flies are often feeding on food sources that are generally moist or decaying, and these naturally contain bacteria that can transmit more than 60 different serious illnesses. Some common ones include typhoid fever, dysentery, cholera, and leprosy. Even without direct contact, humans can harbor these illnesses through food and objects flies have interacted with.

That said, it’s important to ensure that our homes are fly-free by keeping our surroundings in check. Here are four things that you may not know attracts flies.

Plants

Although flies can serve as predators to insects that can be harmful to your garden plants, having too many of them buzzing around can increase the chances of them getting into your home. If you notice this problem, check on the kinds of plants you have. Dill, fennel, and parsley are aromatic and have strongly flavored leaves which can attract a variety of insects that flies like to feed on. Moreover, flies can be attracted to the brilliant colors of flowering plants like sunflowers and lilies. Some flies associate their vivid hues with rotting meat, which entices them to feed on the pollen. Remember to remove any dead leaves as soon as possible and avoid overwatering to reduce the chances of fly attraction.

Pets

Pets are a wonderful company, but all pet owners know that they can, unfortunately, attract flies into one’s home. Pet manure, food, and any other animal waste are loved by all sorts of pests, such as rats and flies. This is why adopting a pet requires utmost care and attention. Clean up immediately after your pet, this includes everything from their droppings, to spilled food, to grooming. If you think you aren’t responsible enough, look into robot pets. That way, you’ll still have the emotional support, physical activity, and mental stimulation you can get from owning a furry friend — without the risk for flies.

Weather

Flies are thankfully less active in the colder months until they reach maturity in the springtime. However, this means that they’re fully active in the summertime. They’re also attracted to overripe fruits, outdoor gatherings, and the food and trash that comes with it. You can minimize fly infestation by using extermination gadgets like a fly swatter, flypaper, as well as fly traps. Some fly traps work using baits to lure away flies from your summer BBQ, and some others like light traps use electrically charged light to attract and zap flies. So before summer comes, make sure you’re well prepared for the onslaught of flies.

Waste

This is one of the most common causes of flies at home that some homeowners still overlook. Having exposed garbage cans, dirty drains, and leaky pipes all make for effective breeding grounds for flies. They lay eggs in these areas, where they turn into pupae and eventually transition into winged flies. The improvement of environmental sanitation and hygiene can be done through four strategies. These include the elimination of breeding sites, reduction of sources that attract flies, prevention of contact between flies and disease-causing germs, and finally the protection of food, utensils, and people from contact with flies.

By checking on these four things in your home and your environment, we can ensure that flies are kept away from our living spaces. Check out our Fly Traps & Bait Bundles if you’re looking to build your defense against flies.

This article was written by Alyson Sharri Craig
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