Musca domestica
Flies gathering around your windows? Persistent flies in the kitchen, bar or dining area?
A few flies can quickly become a nuisance. In a restaurant or pub, one flying around customers’ food can spoil the experience.
“Waiter, waiter, there’s a fly in my soup.” Then the customer turns round and says, “I’m going to give you a bad Google review.”
Tell us where you’re seeing them and what’s happening. We’ll help you work out the likely cause and the most sensible next step.
Why house flies become a problem
House flies can move between waste and food areas. They may carry bacteria from the places they visit and contaminate food or surfaces. That makes them more than a nuisance in kitchens, bars, dining areas and food businesses.
At home, persistent flies around windows or in the kitchen can be frustrating and difficult to understand. At work, they can affect staff and customers, interrupt service and create a poor impression.
Not every fly indoors is a house fly. If you’re unsure what you’re seeing, a clear photograph can help us identify it.
What does a house fly look like?
The house fly, Musca domestica, is usually grey, with four dark stripes on its back. It has one pair of wings and does not bite. Its mouthparts are adapted for sponging up liquid food.
House flies can be confused with other species. If flies are biting, or they look unusually large, metallic or different from the usual grey house fly, they may be another type. Identification matters because different flies can have different sources and need different control.
The house fly life cycle
House flies develop through four stages: egg, larva, pupa and adult.
Females lay eggs in warm, moist material containing food for the larvae. This can include waste, manure or decaying organic matter. The eggs hatch into pale, legless maggots. After feeding, the larvae move to a drier place to pupate, and adult flies emerge.
In warm conditions, the life cycle can be very quick. If flies keep appearing, there may be an ongoing breeding source nearby, although it isn’t always inside the building.
How Guardian approaches house fly control
Our approach follows three steps: exclusion, restriction and control.
1. Exclude them
Keeping flies out is the first step. Guardian can supply and fit fly screens, fly screen doors, strip curtain doors and vented strip curtain doors, where suitable for the building and its use.
2. Restrict what attracts them
Good housekeeping helps reduce the conditions that support flies. Keep waste areas clean and clear, wash them down where appropriate, and make sure bins are emptied regularly.
3. Control the flies inside
Electric fly killers are the main control for house flies indoors. Guardian can supply, install and service two types.
- Electric grid units attract and kill flies on an electric grid, with a tray underneath to collect them.
- Glueboard units attract flies onto a sticky board held inside the unit. These are often the better choice in sensitive areas where insect fragments must be avoided.
The right unit and position depend on the premises. Units should not be placed over exposed food or in open doorways.
Outside, fly bags may be useful in some situations. Insecticide treatments are rarely used for house flies. The focus is usually on keeping flies out, reducing what attracts them and choosing suitable control equipment.
After the visit, you’ll receive a digital report explaining what we found, what work was carried out and any recommendations. Planned commercial services also receive site records or a pest management folder unless the client asks otherwise.
What you can do
Keep food covered and clear away food debris promptly. Make sure bins have lids, empty them regularly and keep the surrounding area clean.
Check doors, windows and vents for gaps where flies may be entering. If flies continue to appear, note where and when you see them. This can help identify whether the issue relates to access, a nearby breeding source or conditions around the premises.
Frequently asked questions
Are house flies harmful?
House flies can carry bacteria from waste and other places they visit to food and surfaces. That’s why they should be taken seriously around food preparation and serving areas.
Why do house flies gather around windows?
Flies may move towards windows and other light sources, especially when they are indoors and trying to get back outside. A recurring number of flies can also mean there’s an entry point or a nearby source attracting them.
Where do house flies breed?
They lay eggs in warm, moist material that can feed the larvae, such as waste, manure or decaying organic matter. The source may be outside or elsewhere in the building, so repeated sightings don’t automatically mean flies are breeding in the room where you see them.
Can Guardian fit fly screens?
Yes. We can supply and fit fly screens, fly screen doors, strip curtain doors and vented strip curtain doors where suitable for the premises.
Do you use insecticide to treat house flies?
We rarely use insecticidal treatments for house flies. We usually focus on preventing entry, improving housekeeping and using suitable fly control equipment.
What’s the difference between an electric grid unit and a glueboard unit?
An electric grid unit kills flies on a grid and collects them in a tray. A glueboard unit catches them on a sticky board inside the unit. We’ll recommend the type and position that best suit the premises.
Speak to Guardian Pest Control
Tell us where you’re seeing flies and what you need help with. We’ll assess the information, explain the options and recommend the most sensible next step.
