How to Extermine and Prevent Household Pests and Infestations

Information, facts and resources to help you deal with an infestation of household pests and, if the worst happens, how to destroy them and prevent the pests return.

House Flies

What does a house fly look like?

House Fly

House Fly Description

• House Flies have large compound eyes.
  
  
• House Flies have mouthparts that are modified for piercing, lapping or sucking fluids.
  
  
• House Flies have only 1 pair of normal wings.

Where do flies live?

• House flies are found almost everywhere and breed in wet, decaying organic material.

What are the signs of a fly infestation?

• Problems usually are more severe in proximity to livestock quarters, pet kennels, and rubbish bins.
  
  
• Fly numbers usually increase gradually through the summer and peak in autumn.

What do flies eat?

• Fly larvae breed in decaying manure and other organic material.

Why must flies be controlled?

• Flies are a hazard to human health and spread bacteria and disease.

How can I get rid of flies?

• Good hygiene.

How can I prevent flies from returning?

• This is likely to be impossible and good deterrent and preventative measures should be followed to control house flies.

Fly Poisons and Fly Pesticides

• Fly sprays, fly poisons, fly papers and fly sticky traps are available from chemist, hardware stores, supermarkets and DIY outlets. Read and follow the instructions on the product label precisely. Use only products that state on the label that it may be used to control flies.
  
  
• Remember, pesticides can be poisonous to children and pets. After use store container and contents away from children, or dispose of empty container safely.

The "Green Option" - Environmentally friendly control of Flies

• Flies can easily be baited and any sticky substance will attract and hold them.
  
  
• Old-fashioned sticky flypaper is also is an effective trap, especially once a few flies have been caught on the paper.
  
  
• An environmentally friendly method of dealing with the common household fly is to use sticky traps or old-fashioned fly papers. These are available from DIY and hardware stores and are very effective at trapping flies.
  
  
• Spiders are predators of flies - encourage them. Don't kill spiders round your house, and in particular they can be encouraged in basements nad attics where humans venture rarely.
  
  
• Many birds, especially swallows are predators of flies and can be encouraged by placing birdbaths or water and honey in a bowl in the garden.
  
  
• Birds eat insects so avoid using pesticides around the garden, to encourage them to visit your garde - they will eat flies!
  
  
• A fly swat is an effective, simple, environmentally friendly method of fly control. House flies can easily be swatted. Be sure to clear up and dispose of fly bodies once swatted.
  
  
• A bait and sticky trap of glue and honey or syrup on a piece of yellow card or paper can be an effective trap for houseflies.

House Flies : Household Pests

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