Housefly Management Guide

Having flies buzzing around your home can be frustrating. Though there are many species of flies, houseflies are one of the most common species to invade homes. Reducing potential attractants and using pest control products can help to keep these pests out of your house. We’ve gathered information to help you eliminate a housefly infestation. 

Houseflies can be an outdoor and indoor problem. They usually breed outside and sneak into homes through cracks or holes. Houseflies will congregate in areas that provide them with food and a breeding spot, making your kitchen a favorite hangout spot for them. These pests are active during the day when temperatures are warm. They breed quickly, which can lead to large infestations. It’s important to determine what is attracting them so that you can work to remove it. A combination of preventative measures and using pest control products will help to get rid of these pests.

Reducing Attractants

• Remove Food Sources: Flies will feed on a variety of things in your home and outdoor space. Removing food sources will help to keep them away. Wipe down your counters and floor to remove crumbs, spills, and sticky residues. Regularly take out the trash and don’t leave dirty dishes in the sink. Make sure your outdoor trash bins have tight-fitting lids. Don’t forget to keep your outdoor eating area clean too.
• Minimize Moisture: House flies need water to survive, and damp environments provide them with breeding spots as well. Check for and repair any leaky pipes or other plumbing issues. Take steps to reduce moisture build-up in your yard. If areas in your home are prone to dampness, a dehumidifier or fan can help keep things dry.
• Keep Your Yard Clean: Preventing flies from taking over your yard will help to keep them out of your home. Remove trash and yard debris, including leaves, weeds, and grass clippings, that can serve as breeding spots. Keep your grass and vegetation trimmed to help minimize moisture retention. If you have a pet, make sure to clean up after them.
• Seal Entry Points: To keep houseflies from sneaking into your home, you’ll want to seal potential entry points. Look for spots where they could enter your house, and seal them with caulk or steel wool. Make sure your screens are in good condition, and don’t leave your doors and windows open if they don’t have screens. Repair or replace loose seals and damaged weather stripping. 

Pest control products can help to prevent and control housefly infestations. Maggie’s Farm offers several products to help manage housefly problems.

Plant-Based Insecticide Sprays

Our Flying Insect Killer, Home Bug Spray, and Yard Bug Spray are formulated with plant essential oils as the active ingredients. They provide contact kill and residual repellency protection. Our Flying Insect Killer and Home Bug Spray are ideal for spot-treating flies that you see. They can also be used near areas where flies are likely to breed or enter your home. Our Yard Bug Spray is great for keeping flies away from your outdoor space. It can be applied to your lawn and vegetation, treating up to 5,000 sq ft. When used as directed, our products are safe for use around children and pets.

Application Tips

Shake the product well before use and periodically during use. Using our Flying Insect Killer or Home Bug Spray, direct the spray at the flies, working to make contact with as many flies as possible. It’s best to spray flies when they are resting to get the best spray coverage possible. You can repeat applications as needed. You’ll want to wipe up any excess. You can also treat in and around outdoor trash cans and other potential breeding sites as well as near common entry points to help deter housefly activity.

To treat your outdoor space with our Yard Bug Spray, you will need to attach the bottle nozzle to your garden hose. Start your application in the area furthest away from your spigot and work backwards. Spray your lawn in a sweeping motion, overlapping the spray to get total coverage. You can also treat vegetation where flies are resting. For best results, wait a day or two before mowing or watering the area. You can reapply monthly or as needed.

Plant-Based Insect Control Blocks

Our Garbage Refresh Deodorizer & Insect Control blocks can also help to get rid of flies. The blocks are formulated using plant essential oils. They can be placed in trash bins to help kill and repel flies. These blocks also help to deodorize and refresh kitchen trash cans. They have a lemony fresh scent and are safe for you and your family when used as directed.

Application Tips

Our Garbage Refresh Deodorizer & Insect Control blocks are designed for use in covered or enclosed trash bins. When you are ready to use a block, remove its wrapper and use the enclosed metal hook to hang the block in your trash can. Push the smaller or the larger end of the hook through the hole in the block. The design of your trash bin will determine how the hook needs to be attached to the block. Hang the other end of the hook over the edge of the bin and close the lid. You will want to replace the blocks weekly or when most of the fragrance is gone.

Houseflies can be a nuisance when they invade your home. To get rid of these pests, you’ll want to implement preventative techniques and use the right pest control products.