House Flies - A Nuisance Or A Danger?

Flies, like many other things, come in many shapes and sizes. There are house flies, drain flies, fruit flies, horse flies, bottle flies, cluster flies, deer flies, and many more. The most common flies that we deal with here in Tennessee are house flies. Ever wonder if these guys are just a nuisance or if you should be concerned about them being a danger? Well, if you have, which I bet you have, read along and we'll delve into this subject so you can be the judge as to whether they are a nuisance or a danger.

What do house flies really look like?

House flies are gray, ¼” flies that have four distinct black vertical lines on the top of their bodies. They have six legs and a pair of clear wings. They are decent fliers and can travel up to six miles in 24 hours, but they don’t usually go too far from their original breeding ground.

What and how do they eat?

House flies actually get their nutrients by spitting saliva on their food which liquefies it, so they can suck it up. That’s what they are doing when they are sitting still on that dropped potato chip or pile of dog feces. They are spitting on it and then sucking it up, EWWW. They eat just about any organic matter, alive or decaying.

Do they pose a threat to people?

House flies do not bite, but they can spread many, many diseases. These scavengers land on many undesirable and bacteria-ridden areas such as dumps, sewers, animal waste, and dead and decaying organic matter. When they stop at each place to eat, not only do they take up nutrients, but they also pick up many pathogens and bacteria. Later when they start landing on you, your food, your counters, and your family, these bacteria and pathogens are left behind. House flies are connected with as many as 65 diseases that can harm humans.

Is it possible to keep house flies out, for good?

Yes. Taking simple steps like the ones listed below can help prevent a future infestation of house flies:

• Cover all trash at all times with locking lids, both inside and outside your home.

• Remove trash on a regular basis.

• Pick up all pet and animal waste immediately.

• Rinse all recycling containers and keep them in sealed receptacles.

• Clean up all spills immediately.

• Do not leave dirty dishes sitting on the counter, rinse them off immediately.

Along with these preventative steps, it’s also extremely important to implement a year-round pest control service. Here at All-American Pest Control our Perimeter Plus pest control service treats for and eliminates not only house flies but over 47 other common Tennessee pests as well. Give us a call today and schedule your free home evaluation and see just how easy it is to not have these dangerous and disease spreading pests in your house.