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How to Get Rid of Flies
Flies are bad news whether you find an infestation in your home or business. If left untreated, flies can spread bacteria such as Salmonella, typhoid and E.Coli. Professional fly control treatment will guarantee a long term solution to eradicate fly infestations. Our BPCA (British Pest Control Association) certified and experienced Rentokil experts adhere to an ERDM process to ensure the best way to get rid of flies:
- Exclusion - Prevent flies entering by proofing doors, windows, roof vents etc…
- Restriction - Routine good housekeeping practices to remove potential fly breeding areas
- Destruction - Correct identification of specific fly species so the most effective fly control treatment is implemented
- Monitoring - Regular inspections so any issues can be treated swiftly before becoming an infestation
How To Get Rid of House Flies
Getting a fly outbreak in the house is something nobody wants. There are practical measures you can take to deter house flies, such as thorough cleaning which can get rid of breeding spots, removing potential areas for flies to lay eggs, as they can reproduce very quickly.
Removing decaying food such as meat, fruit, vegetables and faeces as these attract the common house fly. Fruit flies like sugary substances and will feed on overripe fruit, spilled soft drinks and alcohol. Drain flies typically seek moist areas to lay their eggs, so keeping your property and drains clean and dry as possible will reduce opportunities for them to breed.
How To Get Rid of Cluster Flies
Cluster flies can be more problematic than the odd housefly. In autumn months, they will gather in large numbers. Cluster flies (Pollenia rudis), or attic flies, are large black flies and similar in size, shape and behavior to the blowfly. The adults breed and lay their eggs outside in Summer and then during Autumn months the adult lifecycle will bring them into buildings, normally attics and roof voids - in order to hibernate over the Winter months, this type of infestation can occur in very large numbers.
Cluster flies can enter your property through the smallest of cracks around door and window frames. Once these flies get into your home, there is not much you can do but try to trap them or kill them. Some of the things you can do to get rid of cluster flies include:
- Vacuuming - keep carpets, rugs and floors clean and vacuum up dead insects, before applying DIY residual insecticides or knock down sprays on adult flies.
- Sealing up the house - You can try and limit access to your property by filling any cracks and crevices in walls, window or door frames with caulking. Make sure the roof is in good order and replace slates or tiles that are broken. Seal up holes around your home and make sure windows have screens and that the screens are free of holes.
DIY Fly Control
A fly infestation is hard to remove completely. Using chemicals without knowing how to use them correctly can be extremely dangerous and fly traps can leave fly carcasses behind. Rentokil has a range of Do-It-Yourself fly control products.
The most effective long-term solution of getting rid of flies is by a professional fly control treatment.
Repelling or deterring common house flies, blue bottles and fruit flies from entering your property can be difficult, particularly in the height of summer when windows and doors are often left open to allow air flow. However there are some home remedies which may help deter flies:
Please note: Rentokil does not endorse any of these home remedies as 100% effective. Only a trained fly control specialist can determine why there is an infestation within your property and offer the best advice on getting rid of flies.
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Bottle Traps - Using an old plastic bottle where you cut the top third off with some kind of sweet liquid, such as sugar water (or another sweet substance). Then turn the top section of the bottle upside down and place it in the two larger sections, taping the two sections together. This will allow the fly or wasp to access the bottle but are then unable to get back out.
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Vinegar and Dish Soap - Fill a bowl slightly with apple cider vinegar, wine or honey with some dish soap (washing up liquid). Cover the bowl with plastic wrap with punctured holes or leave uncovered. Flies will be attracted to the smell and will get stuck within the liquid.
There are said to be several garden plants and herbs whose fragrance will, according to folklore deter or repel flies. Grow these in your garden, or pots on window sills or use dried leaves in muslin bags to hang in entrances and windows:
Basil, Lavender, Bay Leaf, Mint, Marigolds and Nasturtiums
Historically Marigold has been grown in greenhouses to deter aphids and onions to mask the scent and discourage carrot fly. However pleasant the scent produced by these plants is, the reality is that a fly-screen would be more beneficial at deterring flies in the long-term. Natural fly repellents can help with fly infestations but are unlikely to control a major fly infestation.
Rentokil: Professional Fly Control
Homemade fly traps, natural home remedies and DIY fly control products can help to alleviate minor annoyances with flies. If however, flies become a constant and persistent nuisance, you’ll need the expertise and knowledge of professional pest controllers to effectively eradicate the fly infestation.
Once a survey of your premises is completed we will recommend a fly control treatment program that is tailored to your specific fly issues that will provide long-term effective protection against flies. Our fly control service includes:
- Elimination of adult flies and the removal of any breeding sites, which could create more problems in the future.
- Correct identification of fly species.
- All our technicians are BPCA certified to guarantee expertise in the field of fly control.
- We have a range of effective fly control solutions, including Rentokil Flybox and electric fly killers.
- We provide expert advice on how to prevent future fly infestations.
- We offer a free survey of Business premises to identify specific fly problems.
Call us to discuss how we can help you get rid of flies quickly and efficiently.
How to Get Rid of Flies: Frequently Asked Questions
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Are Cluster Flies Dangerous?
Cluster flies are annoying when they start slowly buzzing around your head, but they are not considered dirty or a risk. Cluster flies are parasitic in nature, laying eggs in earthworm burrows so the larvae that hatch can feed on the worms. They do not lay eggs in human food and tend not to frequent rotting food or dead animals.
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What is the best way to keep flies away?
Cluster flies enter your property through small cracks around doors and frames or any unsealed openings. Filling in any cracks and crevices will limit their access to the property.
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What are cluster flies attracted to?
Cluster flies are attracted to light and warmth. During the day they will gather in numbers on sun-warmed, south facing walls. During cooler weather cluster flies will crawl into crevices, lofts and wall voids where they will stay dry for hibernation over Winter.
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How to get rid of flies in the house quickly in the UK?
For cluster flies, vacuuming them up from attics or windows is a simple, quick solution. Knock down fly sprays can kill adult flies on contact and DIY bottle traps with sugar water or vinegar and dish soap can be effective. To keep flies out of the house, try keeping windows closed or installing fly screens to stop new flies from entering.
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Why do I suddenly have 100 flies in my house?
It is possible a fly found a food source like a full bin or rotting food and laid eggs, once these eggs hatch it will appear as a sudden big fly infestation. Or it could mean you have cluster flies. Cluster flies appear, often in Autumn, to look for somewhere warm to hibernate. They appear in massive numbers often in windows or lofts.
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What smell do flies absolutely hate?
Flies are often believed to be repelled by the scent of herbs like basil, mint, or bay leaves; flowers like lavender, marigolds, or nasturtiums. While these natural fly repellents can be effective, if you have a serious fly problem it may require professional intervention.
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Where do flies go at night?
Flies are generally inactive at night, they seek shelter and high spots for rest. During the night, flies can be found on ceilings or in the upper corners of walls, and in curtains or on light fixtures.
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How to get rid of fruit flies quickly?
To get rid of fruit flies you can try bottle traps with sugar water or vinegar and dish soap. Often the best way to get rid of fruit flies is to remove their food source, so make sure you get rid of any rotting food and keep it well away from the house.
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Are flies dangerous?
Yes, many species of flies can be dangerous. House flies can carry diseases like salmonella and E. Coli because they feed on rotting waste and feces before landing on your food. Cluster flies are generally not dangerous, but they can be a major nuisance.
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Is fly spray good at getting rid of flies?
Yes, fly spray is an immediate solution for killing visible adult flies. However, it is a temporary fix and if you have a major fly infestation, fly spray will not stop new flies from hatching and emerging.
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How do I kill house flies?
To kill house flies, you can try electric fly control units (most likely in kitchens) which capture adult flies. Traditional methods like sticky traps and fly swatters can certainly be effective for minor extremely minor infestations, as well as fly spray. However, for any kind of serious fly infestation, it is best to seek professional advice.
Further Information
Fly Control Information
Find out more about controlling a fly infestation.