A Practical Guide To Keeping Flies Out Of Your Tucson Home

With more than 120,000 types of flies found throughout the world and approximately 18,000 of those in North America, flies are one of the most common pests around the globe. Although they have short lifespans, they reproduce in large numbers and can spread various diseases, making them major nuisances that may have you contacting the Tucson pest control experts at Conquistador Pest & Termite.

Characteristics Of Common Flies

Before you can get rid of flies it’s important to understand some of the characteristics of the different types of flies. The most common fly that is found in and around homes in the United States is the house fly, which is typically gray in color with four black stripes on its thorax. Adults are about 1/8 to 1/4 of an inch long. Their bodies are slightly hairy, and they have a pair of wings and red eyes containing compound lenses that give them wider vision. They do not have stingers.

These flies can transmit more than 100 different pathogens including typhoid, salmonella, and tuberculosis. They can contaminate food surfaces and spread disease organisms picked up on their legs and mouths when feeding on trash and decayed matter.

Fruit flies are found indoors year-round and are known for their ability to reproduce rapidly. They are attracted to and eat rotting food matter, especially fruits, vegetables, and fermented liquids. They reproduce quickly, which makes them difficult to control. They are a nuisance pest and are capable of contaminating food with bacteria and disease-causing pathogens.

Horse flies are usually found near bodies of water, which serve as breeding sites, and where mammal hosts are abundant. They are fast fliers and often attack moving dark objects. Unlike other flies, they are not known to be disease vectors, although their bites are painful and can cause allergic reactions.

Why It Can Be Dangerous To Have Flies In Your Home

Flies in Tucson aren’t usually thought of as dangerous, but the fact is that, although they may seem like nothing more than an extreme annoyance, these pests can be disease vectors that can put your family in danger.

Since flies are drawn to decayed and rotten matter, they are frequently found in unsanitary places, like on garbage, rotten food, and animal and human waste. The bacteria and germs found on those items are brought along with them and are spread onto counters and food where the flies lay their eggs. 

Five Eco-Friendly Fly Prevention Tips For Your Home

In almost all cases, flies inside a building have entered from the outside. Consequently, the first line of defense is preventing access to the building.

Here are a few tips on how to keep flies out of your Tucson house:

1. Direct water away from the house and repair leaking faucets, water pipes, and AC units.
2. Seal cracks around windows and doors where flies may enter.
3. Make sure window and door screens are all well fitted.
4. Remove and dispose of organic waste, including rotten fruits and vegetables and dog feces.
5. Garbage should be deposited in containers with tight-fitting lids and placed as far from the building entrance as possible.

Knowing what attracts house flies is only part of the solution. If these tips aren’t enough and you’re still trying to get rid of flies, it’s time to contact a professional.

Professional Pest Control Is A Great Fly Control Solution

When you need to know how to get rid of flies, the professionals at Conquistador Pest & Termite can help. We offer a variety of packages to suit your needs. Contact us now for a free estimate and to learn more about our residential and commercial pest control services in Tucson.