Flies are familiar household pests in Buffalo Grove. Homeowners may deal with these pests during warm months. However, not everything people believe about these pests is accurate. This makes it essential to clear up the common myths about flies. It helps homeowners better understand how to keep their home comfortable and fly-free. Pointe Pest Control can educate homeowners about what flies can do to their households and how to eliminate them. They can also suggest measures to prevent future fly infestations. Below are common myths about flies:
Flies Are Harmless
Flies carry bacteria and pathogens on their legs and bodies. They pick up germs from garbage, animal waste, and decaying material. They can spread them to food and surfaces. Salmonella and E. coli are associated with their presence.
Flies Only Gather Around Food
Food left out on counters can attract flies, but these pests are not only interested in your meals. They are also drawn to trash bins, drains, pet waste, and damp mops or sponges. These moist and organic materials allow them to thrive and survive. Thus, covering food alone won’t keep flies away. There are other sources inside and outside the home that sustain them.
Flies Can Live for Months
Many people assume flies stick around for months at a time. But the average housefly lives about three to four weeks. This short life span doesn’t make them less of a problem. They reproduce rapidly, with females capable of laying hundreds of eggs in their lifetime. These eggs hatch into maggots within hours.
Flies Only Invade Dirty Homes
Clean homes are not immune to flies. Poor sanitation makes infestations worse, but well-maintained houses can also attract them. All it takes is a forgotten piece of fruit or a small leak under the sink. Also, an open door can let them inside. Flies can take advantage of any available resource.
Flies Don’t Bite
Houseflies may not bite, but not all flies are the same. Horseflies, deer flies, and stable flies do bite, which can be painful. These biting flies feed on blood and can spread diseases to humans and animals.
Flies Die Off in Cold Weather
Cold weather reduces fly activity, but it doesn’t eliminate them. Many overwinter in protected spaces such as attics, wall voids, or garages. For instance, cluster flies gather in large numbers inside homes during the fall to wait out the winter.
Flies Have No Purpose
Some species of flies help break down waste and organic material, returning nutrients to the soil. Others serve as food for birds, fish, and other wildlife. This doesn’t make them welcome guests indoors, but it explains why they persist in nature.
Swatting Is Enough to Control Flies
Swatting a few flies may provide temporary relief, but it does not solve the larger issue. For every fly you kill, there may be dozens more breeding in hidden spots. Effective control requires eliminating breeding sources, such as garbage, drains, or pet waste.
Flies Only Come Out During the Day
Flies are most active during daylight hours, but some species also move at night. They may continue to buzz around, drawn by the glow of lights left on in the evening.. Keeping lights managed and entry points sealed helps reduce this problem.
Flies Are Easy to Eliminate
The rapid breeding cycles and ability to find food in unexpected places allow flies to survive in a variety of conditions. Small amounts of organic waste can sustain them.
Flies Only Enter Through Open Doors or Windows
Many people assume that flies can only get inside when doors or windows are open. However, flies can enter through tiny gaps around vents, screens, and cracks in siding or foundations.
