Flies are a nuisance in Portland. They can also present a health risk. The common housefly, for example, is implicated in the spread of 65 diseases. Does that surprise you? It shouldn't. Flies lay their eggs in rotting organic matter and in other unmentionable things. Their babies are maggots. The word "maggot" feels dirty to say because of its association with the places these little, wiggly critters are found. The last thing you want to do is open a package of food that has these in it. Sorry to be so gross but it is important to understand that flies aren't just a nuisance. You may get sick all the time and not realize that flies are to blame. There are several flies that get into Portland homes. Most are not as harmful as houseflies, but it is best to keep them out of your home if you can. Let's take a look at all the ways flies get into Portland homes, consider a few ways to prevent this from happening, and discuss how Big Blue Bug Solutions can make your home a no fly zone.
How Flies Enter
We have several pest fly species in Portland. All of them can enter through an open door or window, but there are other, sometimes surprising, ways that they can enter.
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Flies can go right under a door that does not have a door sweep.
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Flies can pass through a hole in a damaged screen or get past a gap around the frame of a screen. When you open the door, in comes the fly.
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Certain flies lay their eggs in potted plants. When you bring plants inside, you can bring a fly infestation in with you.
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Certain flies lay their eggs on fruits and vegetables. When you bring produce into the house, an infestation can begin.
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Flies are attracted to moisture. These flies are drawn to plumbing leaks and moisture issues. They can come into your home through gaps around pipes or through moist, rotting wood.
What Will Increase The Chance Flies Will Enter?
Fly prevention varies depending on what type of flies you're trying to keep out of your home. Here are a few ways you can reduce your chances of an infestation (or continued infestation):
Proper Sanitation
Unsanitary conditions around your home can increase fly activity. This increased activity increases the chances that flies will come inside.
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Keep trash receptacles clean and free of fly attractant odors.
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Make sure your trash receptacles have covers.
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Pick up pet waste.
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Don't feed pets outside.
Fix Moisture Problems
There are many ways moisture problems can arise. Some are severe, such as a leaking roof. Others are slight, such as having a build-up of mulch that touches your foundation wall. Whether severe or slight, these conditions can attract flies that are drawn to moisture.
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Clean your gutters and repair damage.
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Repair plumbing issues.
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Make sure your landscaping is well ventilated and that there are no dense areas where moisture is trapped.
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Address irrigation and grade issues.
Manage Your Potted Plants
The flies that get into your potted plants are called fungus gnats. You can deter them by addressing moisture problems. One moisture problem that is often the culprit is overwatering potted plants. If you only give your plants what they need, you could prevent fungus from developing and fungus flies from taking notice of your plants.
Manage Your Produce
The flies that lay eggs on produce are called fruit flies. There are a few tips that can help you prevent a fruit fly infestation.
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Don't purchase fruit that is overripe.
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Store fruit in the fridge, rather than putting fruit items on display in your kitchen.
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Clean your fruit thoroughly to remove eggs.
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Make sure sweet vegetables are properly stored in your fridge or in a sealed plastic bin.
Consider Light As An Attractant
Most flies are attracted to light. If you have exterior white lights, particularly around your entranceway, these can lure flies in close and put them into a position to fly right into your home when you open the door. The secret to addressing this problem is to replace white light bulbs with yellow bulbs. Insects are unable to see light in the yellow spectrum. While yellow light doesn't illuminate as brightly, it gets the job done and stops flies from hanging out in areas that could allow them entry into your home.
Let Big Blue Do What You Can't Do
The perimeter around your home is a sensitive zone. It can be attractive to flies and other pests or it can repel them. At Big Blue Bug Solutions, we offer year-round residential pest control service programs that provide routine perimeter treatments that repel insects and knockdown certain pests before they get inside. We'd love the opportunity to talk with you about how this can work to keep your home a no fly zone. Reach out to us today to learn more.
