What Attracts Flies To A Home

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It is believed that the humble fly originated in Asia, but now it doesn’t matter; they are everywhere where humans live. Perhaps they are your new best friend!

The problem with flies is not just that they are a nuisance; they seem to have an amazing ability to buzz repeatedly just millimeters from your face. But this is only part of the issue. The real concern is what the flies carry when they land on your work surfaces and food.

Flies sample anything they land on with their feet to decide if it is edible or not. If it is they will vomit onto the surface. The vomit is acidic and turns the substance into liquid which the fly can then suck up; they have no teeth.

The problem is that anything which lives on a liquid diet will be virtually constantly going to the toilet. This means the waste is coming out as they are sucking up new food. Their waste products and their feet can carry bacteria which can make you very ill and even cause death.

You might want to check out Vectothor to make sure you have all the right tools for preventing flies from landing on your food and work surfaces.

What attracts the Flies

Different flies are attracted to different things although there is a consistent pattern of decay. The common housefly is attracted to rotting meat or any substance which is decaying. Unfortunately their sensors are much better than your eyes. They will find minute crumbs unless you make sure you have cleaned the surfaces properly.

Fruit flies unsurprisingly are attracted to the scent of fruit. However, in common with the housefly they prefer it if they are starting to decay, overripe fruit is their favorite. They will also sample anything which is full of sugar, including sugary drinks and even alcohol.

You may also come across the drain fly which is attracted to drains and moist climates.

It is important to know your enemy. This will help you to locate where they are most likely to target and then clean these areas thoroughly. In most cases the name of the fly will give away which foods it prefers to target but all flies will target decaying food and feces. This is how they pick up bacteria and spread them to you and your home.

It is worth noting that flies are attracted to flies and even the fly specks which are left behind by flies, cleaning away all traces of their presence is important.

Dealing with an Infestation

If you are struggling to control the flies in your home and they seem to be multiplying quicker than you can cope with then you will need to call in some professional assistance.  

Before you do this it is worth using antibacterial spray to clean all the areas where flies might land or you prepare food. You should also make sure that rubbish is removed from your home and not kept within 5 feet of your walls. Ideally you should keep it in sealed bins to make sure it is more difficult for the flies to get to.

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