Helping Get Rid of Flies
When it comes to controlling fruit flies, house flies, and drain flies in and around your home, the best defense is a good offense.
Powered by the SC Johnson Center for Insect Science®
Whether you’re hosting a party in the yard or just enjoying time inside with your family, house flies and fruit flies can be a real nuisance.
Flies can pick up bacteria and other pathogens from some of their favorite feeding and breeding grounds, including garbage, feces and carcasses. Wherever flies land, those contaminants are then transferred from their bodies or through their vomit or feces.1 Understanding more about flies and how to control them can help you protect your family from flies and make the time spent at home more enjoyable.
Take action against flies
Fruit Fly, House Fly, Drain Fly
To help keep flies at bay, dispose of waste promptly, secure the premises, and keep things clean and in good repair.
While it might be hard to completely get rid of flies near your home, there are many things you can do to help keep these buzzing invaders under control. Eliminating areas where flies are known to reproduce—both inside and outside your home—is your best bet. Additionally, properly disposing of waste and restricting their access to food sources can help to get rid of flies inside the home.
We welcome flies so you don’t have to
At the SC Johnson Center for Insect Science™, we roll up our sleeves and study house flies practically every day. We rear them, research them, and invent new ways to help you combat them and make sure they’re not welcome in your home.
Tips for controlling flies
Prevent flies from spoiling your mood by following these helpful tips, ideas, and solutions:
- Dispose of moist materials such as garbage or overripe fruit.
- Store produce, breads, and condiments in the refrigerator.
- Keep cereal, grains, and sugar in airtight containers with tight-fitting lids.
- Clean up spilled food from floors and countertops immediately and keep an eye out for pieces of food that drop under counters or appliances.
- Clean areas where flies are known to reproduce, such as drains, underneath appliances, inside the dishwasher, or any spot where there is moisture and food debris.
- Maintain waste cans and scrub trash cans inside and out to remove any old food particles.
Pick up after your pet
If you have a pet, be sure to clean up their waste promptly. Flies are most attracted to waste that’s less than a day old, so disposing of it right away will give them one less place to lay their eggs.
Secure the premises
The best way to help keep flies away from your home is to prevent them from entering. Keep your doors closed, your windows sealed, and your window screens in good repair. It’s a good idea to caulk cracks near windows or doors and ensure that flies can’t get in through holes and ventilation.
Clean drains keep flies away
Indoor drains with their moist, gunky conditions are prime habitats for small flies and fly larvae. Help prevent drain flies and larvae by keeping your drains clean and proactively cleaning and scrubbing them before a problem occurs.
Fly control products
Explore our family of products designed to help you get tough in the fight against flies and keep them from invading your home.
Sources
Related
8 Facts About Flies
There are more than 110,000 fly species buzzing around the planet1 — from fruit flies to house flies to flesh flies — each with their own habits and habitats.
How Weather Affects Insects
Find out how outdoor temperatures and rain levels affect insects, including their behavior, reproduction rates, feeding habits, and more. Plus, learn what weather conditions drive bugs inside for shelter.
How to Help Prevent Bugs
Bugs invade homes looking for food, water, or shelter. By eliminating the things that attract insects, you can help prevent these critters from coming inside.