Houseflies are a type of fly in the Diptera insect family, all of which have one wing. They are also called “neutral” flies. Houseflies are about ¼ inch long and gray in color.
Houseflies are found in almost every place where people live. They lay their eggs on animal droppings, litter, and decaying organic material.
Houseflies may not be much of a concern, but they can spread disease. There are many safe and easy ways to prevent infestations and to kill them once they do occur.
Are houseflies poisonous?
In most cases, houseflies are usually unpleasant. However, houseflies can carry viruses and bacteria that can be spread when they bite. Diseases carried by houseflies include:
food poisoning
cholera
E. coli
typhoid fever
dysentery
tuberculosis
eye infection
a tropical infection called yaws
How to get rid of houseflies naturally
Natural, pesticide-free ways to kill houseflies are possible and often preferred. Possible methods are:
Plants and flowers
You can plant plants and flowers in your garden and outdoors to keep flies away from your home. Plants and flowers that can repel flies include:
basil
marigold
lavender
bay leaves
cat meat
As a bonus, some can be used for cooking.
Vinegar and dish soap
A mixture of vinegar and dish soap will help trap flies. To use this method, mix about an inch of apple cider vinegar and a few drops of dish soap in a tall glass. Cover the glass with plastic wrap. Secure the plastic screw with rubber and make a small hole in the top.
Flies will be attracted to the vinegar in the glass and fly through the hole. However, dish soap causes the flies to drown instead of landing on the vinegar.
Cayenne pepper and water
Cayenne pepper helps kill houseflies. Mix it with water and spray it around the house to keep flies away.
Venus flytrap
Venus flytraps are carnivorous plants that eat insects. If you plant them outside, they will naturally eat flies. Indoors, you may need to feed plant flies.
When a fly enters a plant trap, it closes the fly. It then secretes digestive juices to dissolve the soft interior of the insect. It decomposes the insect in 5-12 days and then spits out the exoskeleton.
Natural trap bait
You can also use food or drink that attracts flies to trap them. It includes:
sugar (honey or molasses)
wine
fruit
meat
Insecticides and other repellents
In addition to natural home fly control methods, insecticides and traps can be used to control or kill flies.
Check out the fly traps below that are available online.
Pyrethrin-based insecticides
Insecticides are effective when houseflies are present because they work quickly. However, they are not effective in the long term because flies have a short life cycle and can develop resistance. In addition, the effects of insecticides disappear quickly.
If you need or want to use an insecticide, pyrethrin-based insecticides are the most common for indoor fly infestations. Make sure you buy an indoor insecticide, ventilate the area well, and follow the directions exactly.
Light trap
A light trap is a box with a light on the back that attracts flies. When flies try to enter the light, they will either be killed or captured by the electric bat depending on the light trap you choose.
Be sure to place light shades away from entryways and windows so they are not visible from the outside. They must also be mounted within 5 feet of the floor.
Sticky traps
Sticky traps allow you to hang or place sticky paper strips around your home. They are not as effective as other traps, but they can help keep pests at bay.