Fly Prevention Isn’t That Difficult

There are four basic principles of pest management important in controlling house flies: sanitation, exclusion, non-chemical measures, and chemical methods.

Sanitation – Flies cannot breed in large numbers if their food sources are limited. Do not allow such materials as manure, garbage, grass clippings, weed piles or other decaying organic matter to accumulate. Keep trash cans clean and tightly covered. Be careful not to wash garbage cans where the rinse water might drain into the soil; flies can breed in soil full of organic matter.

Exclusion – Flies can be kept outside of homes by using window and door screens. Make sure screens are tight-fitting without holes. Keep doors closed with no openings at the top or bottom. There should be no openings around water or gas pipes or electrical conduits that feed into the building. Caulk or plug any openings. Ventilation holes can be a way for flies to enter a building. Ventilation is important to maintaining adequate air circulation within the building, but screening must be used to exclude flies.

Non-chemical Measures – The use of such devices as ultraviolet light traps, sticky fly traps, fly swatters, baited fly traps, etc., can eliminate many flies from inside a home. A fly swatter is an economical control method for the occasional fly.

Chemical Control – Call DA Exterminating at 800-650-PEST for this aspect of control!