How Flies Enter a Closed House: Prevention and Control Strategies

Flies are persistent pests that can mar even the cleanest of homes. Understanding how flies enter a closed house is the first step in effectively controlling and eliminating these annoying insects. This article explores the various ways flies can gain access to your home and provides practical solutions to keep your space fly-free.

Tiny Openings and Cracks

Flies are notorious for their tiny size and can squeeze through the smallest openings. Even gaps as small as 1/16 of an inch around windows, doors, and walls can serve as entry points for these insects. Proper sealing of these gaps is crucial in preventing flies from getting inside.

Openings During Entry

When doors and windows are opened, flies have a free pass into your home. Screening these openings can significantly reduce the likelihood of flies entering. Additionally, ensuring that other potential entry points, such as screens on vents and exhaust fans, are intact can further minimize the risk.

Ventilation Systems and Ducts

Ventilation systems, if not properly sealed, can provide another entry way for flies. Ensuring that all ventilation ducts and systems are tightly sealed can prevent flies from infiltrating your home through these paths.

Hitching a Ride

Fly infestations can also be inadvertently carried into your home on clothing, bags, and other items. Regularly clean and inspect these items, and check plants and decorations for potential harboring of flies before bringing them indoors.

Plant Housplants and Pet Waste

Houseplants or flowers can sometimes harbor flies, which can then be brought indoors. Additionally, if you have cat boxes, it's possible for fly larvae to be born in the cat dung. It is important to maintain these areas to prevent fly infestations.

However, it's not just adults that seek entry. Sometimes their eggs are discreetly hidden in items we bring into our homes. Plants, garbage bags, grocery bags, and other household items can harbor fly eggs and larvae, waiting to be brought inside.

Prevention and Control

To keep flies out of your home, it is essential to seal any gaps, use screens on windows and doors, and ensure that food is stored properly. Regular inspections and cleaning of potential entry points are crucial in maintaining a fly-free environment.

In my experience as a pest control professional, I've tracked various ways insects, including flies, find their way into homes. Addressing these entry points and monitoring your home regularly are key to effective prevention and control.

Flies enter homes through a multitude of ways, often in the form of adult insects or their eggs hidden in items brought inside. For instance, during warmer weather, flies lay eggs in rubbish bins in the kitchen. These hatch when the bin is opened, resulting in a swarm of little flies. Proper disposal and securing of trash can mitigate this problem. This was a current issue I faced when my cleaner left a full and open rubbish bin; the flies swarmed upon opening the bin a few days later, despite the initial containment.