Fly Identification & Prevention

All true flies are insects and belong to the order Diptera. Some of their main physical characteristics include:

• One pair of wings (most other insects have two pairs)
• A pair of balancing organs (halteres) located just behind the base of the wings
• Large compound eyes
• Short antennae

Immature flies are called maggots and look like small, softy-bodied cream-colored worms. Maggots live in water or moist, decaying organic matter.

Here is a quick overview of the most common types of flies that regularly become a problem in our Plymouth homes.

• Blue bottle flies
• Cluster flies
• Drain flies
• Flesh flies
• Fruit flies
• Horse flies
• House flies

Keep reading to learn about flies, why you don’t want to share your home with them, and the easiest pest control methods in Plymouth.

While flies certainly are annoying, they are more than a nuisance; they are dangerous in our homes.

Most flies are scavengers and feed and lay their eggs on decaying organic debris. These insects are constantly coming into contact with parasites, viruses, and bacteria. After getting into our homes, they spread the dangerous pathogens they carry to surfaces, dishes, utensils, and your family’s food.

Other flies, like horse flies, are biting pests. Females require blood meals to complete their life cycles. The bites of horse flies and other biting flies are quite painful. When biting flies are in your yard, it can make it unenjoyable for you and your family to spend time outside.

Keeping flies from taking over your outdoor space and moving into your home is vital to your family’s sanity and health.

Flies are most active when temperatures are warmest. In Massachusetts, flies are most problematic in the spring, summer, and early fall. They are outdoor pests; unfortunately for us, our yards often provide them with places to feed and breed. The more flies you have hanging out in your yard, the more likely they will wind up in your home.

Different types of flies will live in different areas. Where exactly flies prefer to live depends on their species and where their females prefer to lay their eggs. For example, female drain flies lay their eggs in the gunk and debris that builds up in drains. Female fruit flies lay their eggs on overripe fruits and vegetables or the liquid at the top of fermenting foods. Flesh flies lay their eggs in open wounds or animal excrement.

Places where we regularly spot fly activity in our yards include pet waste, gardens, areas of standing water, dense vegetation, and around trash cans and recycling bins; these places offer feeding sites and locations for females to lay their eggs.

Common entry points that flies use to get into our homes include torn screens, vents, drains, open doors, and already-infested fruits and vegetables you bring into your home.

Get rid of flies in your yard and home with the help of the local professionals at Combat Pest Control. We offer fast, effective pest control services to remove unwanted pests from your home or business. Learn more about our environmentally safe residential pest control or commercial pest control solutions by reaching out today. The best fly control in Plymouth, MA, and the surrounding areas is just a phone call away!