Should I Be Worried About The Fly Infestation Inside My Houston Home?

While there's no denying that the Houston metro area is known for its heat, humidity, and occasional flood, what some people don't realize is that it's also home to a lot of flies. You can find these pesky critters all over Houston, but they're especially problematic in homes. Effective fly control is an essential part of pest control in Houston. If this sounds familiar to you, then read on because we'll show you what you need to know about flies and some ways you can prevent an infestation inside your Houston home.

Types of Flies that Invade Houston Homes

Flies are an ever-present problem in the state of Texas due to our warm climate. You can find many different types of flies in Houston homes, but some are more common than others. Here's a rundown of the most common pest flies around:

• House flies. These pests are the most common, and they're also the ones you'll find ruining your weekend backyard BBQ. They have a short lifespan but reproduce quickly, and a female can lay over 500 eggs during her short lifespan. These pests are known for their black bodies and red eyes, but they also come in shades such as gray or brown. They can grow as large as 1/4 inch long. House flies have compound eyes made up of many smaller lenses that are used to detect movement. These pests are also attracted to light, so they're often found near windows and doors.
• Fruit flies. These guys love rotting fruit, just as their name suggests. Fruit flies are tiny creatures, roughly 1/8 of an inch long. These tiny flies have a black or gray abdomen and a tan thorax. Fruit flies can be found indoors at any time of the year and live an average of 25 to 30 days. Female fruit flies can lay up to 500 eggs, which hatch in about 24 hours, creating a full-blown infestation in no time at all.
• Blow flies. Blow flies are larger than house flies, but they have a metallic appearance. The green blow fly is more active during the warmer months, and the blue blow fly is more active during the colder months of the year. They are very prolific breeders, with a single fly laying about 2000 eggs into rotting meat during its lifetime. In addition, these eggs hatch into the larval stage within 12 hours. Blow flies thrive in both rural and urban areas. These flies are attracted to decomposing carrion, fresh meat, and rotting fruit. You can also find flies in garbage cans, compost piles, and garbage dumps.
• Horse flies. Horse flies are large, robust flies with gray or black bodies and a pair of short antennae. They have large green or purple eyes with horizontal stripes. Horse flies are most active during the warmer months of the year. They are attracted to humans and animals, where they feed by piercing the skin with their sharp mouthparts and sucking blood from the host. Biting flies in Texas are more active during the warmer months.

In order to decide how best to eliminate a fly infestation from your home, it is crucial that you understand what kind of flies are buzzing around. The type of fly infestation you are dealing with will determine the best treatment option for your problem.

Is It Dangerous to Have Flies in My House?

Flies are a nuisance for several reasons. They can carry diseases, spread bacteria, and contaminate food. Many flies, such as the common house fly, fruit fly, or blow fly, can spread all kinds of pathogens because they feed off excrement, rotting food, and spoiled meat. Flies that have been feeding on garbage or fecal matter can potentially spread disease to humans by contaminating the food or surfaces within the household.

The most common disease that flies can spread is salmonellosis. Salmonellosis is caused by eating food contaminated with the bacteria Salmonella. Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, and fever. Salmonellosis can be serious in young children and older adults who have weakened immune systems. Flies can also spread diseases like typhoid fever, cholera, and shigellosis. These are bacterial infections that can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and fever.

Horse flies pose a danger to livestock. An adult female horse fly can transmit diseases to livestock by biting them and feeding on their blood. The bites are very painful because their mouthparts are designed for tearing flesh. Horse flies also bite humans, but they do not transmit any diseases to humans. The best way to avoid horse fly bites is by wearing long sleeves and pants when outdoors, especially in the early morning or late afternoon. Horse flies are attracted to dark colors, so wearing light-colored clothes will help you avoid them.

You should get rid of flies before they cause any harm to your family or animals. The experts at All-Safe Pest & Termite have the knowledge and experience to eliminate flies. We can help you find the right solution for your home or property.

Why Do I Have Flies in My House?

You may be wondering why your Houston home is suddenly infested with flies. If you're not a fan of these pests, then this question is the one that keeps you up at night.

In most cases, the reason for flies in your house is related to food or garbage. Flies are attracted to both and will invade any location where they can find them (such as your kitchen). Fruit flies and house flies love human food and are attracted to any food that is left out on the counter or in your trash can. They can get into your home through cracks in the foundation or through gaps around windows and doors. If you keep your trash can outside, then flies will be attracted to its contents and possibly make their way into your home through any opening they can find.

Horse flies are common in warm wet areas or areas near a body of water. They are attracted to the odors of animals and humans and are particularly common around stables and farms. Horse flies are also drawn to compost piles, manure piles, and trash cans. They are known to chase their prey, so if you live in an area prone to horse flies, they may follow you home and can get in through open doors or windows.

Blow flies are especially attracted to rotting meat and dead animals. They lay their eggs in decaying carcasses, so if you have a dead animal in your yard, attic, or crawl space, it's best to remove it as soon as possible. If you have an unexplained swarm of flies coming from a particular area of your property, you may need to do some investigating to see if there is a dead animal present. Blow flies are also attracted to garbage and compost piles, so if you live near one of these areas, they may be drawn toward your home. If you have an open window or door, they can enter through this opening.

How to Get Rid of Flies in Your Home for Good

Fly infestations are a common problem and one that many homeowners have had to deal with at some point. Flies are annoying creatures, and they can be a health hazard as well. There are several things you can do to reduce the number of flies in your home, including:

• Installing screens on all doors and windows.
• Not leaving any food out.
• Keeping garbage cans tightly covered and cleaning them often.
• Keeping pet food and water bowls covered when not in use.
• Making sure windows and doors seal properly.
• Cleaning the kitchen regularly.
• Cleaning up after your pet right away.
• Picking up fallen fruit outside.

If the problem persists after these initial steps, or you have a severe infestation, contact a pest control professional for assistance with getting rid of flies once and for all. Because flies are such hardy pests, they may be difficult to eliminate on your own.

The most effective way to solve the problem and ensure it doesn't recur is to enlist the services of a quality pest control company, like All-Safe Pest & Termite. We are family owned and operated, and we have been serving the Houston area since 1984.

We offer year-round pest control services that ensure flies and other pests won't derail your home and garden. We can help you find the solution that's right for you, whether it's an ongoing pest control program or a one-time treatment.

Our trained technicians are capable of identifying and eradicating even the most difficult pests. You can rely on us for a thorough inspection and honest advice about how to address any pest issues you may have.

If you are bothered by blow flies, harassed by houseflies, or just cannot get rid of fruit flies, we are here to help.

Give us a call now to get started.