House flies breed in trash, pet waste, and compost. Fruit flies breed in overripe produce and recycling residue. Drain flies breed in the organic film inside drains. With each, if you find the breeding source and remove it, the population collapses.
Fly problems are seldom about the flies. The deeper issue is what is feeding them. This is good news if you’re feeling annoyed about flies because it means you have the ability to do something about it.
Start by figuring out what kind of fly you are dealing with. Big, noisy house flies point to decaying organic matter: trash cans with a film at the bottom, pet waste in the yard, a compost bin running too wet, grass clippings piled damp. Tiny slow-drifting fruit flies mean ripe or forgotten produce. Fuzzy little moth-like flies by the sink are drain flies that breed in the organic sludge that coats the inside of drains and overflow pipes. Clusters of sluggish flies on sunny walls are usually cluster flies looking to overwinter.
Once you know what you’re dealing with, you can remove the source of the problem. You can do this by using tight lids on trash and recycling bins. If you have pet waste, pick it up promptly. If you have ripe fruit, refrigerate it. It’s a good idea to occasionally clean drains with a stiff brush and enzyme cleaner rather than bleach. Check for wet spots too like overwatered planters, leaky hose bibs, and mulch that never dries. Moist organic matter is the common denominator in nearly every fly story.
If flies are taking over your home, Mosquito Squad of North Orange County can help. Mosquito Squad treats the outdoor zones where flies and other pests concentrate. This can help you protect your time outside with recurring service built around your property.
