Residential Customers

Flies & Mosquitoes

Dealing with Fly Problems in your Home

Flies can be a nuisance when buzzing around the home particularly if in large numbers. However, some species of fly also pose a health risk.

In particular, house flies transmit a wide range of diseases including salmonella, dysentery, tuberculosis, cholera and parasitic worms.

In this country, mosquitoes are less likely to spread disease than in the tropics, but the irritation caused by the bites can still be distressing particularly for children.

Types of Fly Problem

There are thousands of different species of fly but the most common fly problems are caused by:

• Houseflies – adults 6-7mm. Female houseflies lay 400-600 eggs in decaying matter or faeces which develop into maggot larvae. Attracted to any uncovered food or organic waste.

• Blow Flies or Bottle Flies – Adults 6-12mm, usually metallic blue or green but can be black or grey. Significant numbers in a house will often indicate a dead animal (such as a mouse) in the property.

• Fruit Flies - Adults 3mm. Breeds in fermenting residues, fruits and vegetables, as well as in unclean drains. Develop into adults within 7-30 days.

• Mosquitoes – adults 5mm. Tend to be found near still water where their larvae develop. Our guide to insect bites advises on treatment for bites.

How to keep flies away

For many species of fly including house flies and bottle flies, it is important not to attract flies with food sources or places for fly larvae to grow:

• Always cover food – flies spread diseases by landing on food before we eat it
• Clear away food and liquid spillages immediately
• Clean food debris from under kitchen appliances
• Make sure all rubbish bins have tightly sealed lids
• Clean up after pets – not only are faeces the perfect breeding place for flies but also somewhere a fly may land before landing on your food

Prevent flies being able to develop in standing water:

• Ensure drains are kept clear and running
• Ensure gutters and water gullies are not blocked
• Cover water butts with a lid
• Do not leave standing water (eg in watering cans)
• Introduce mosquito fish (Gambusia affinis) or guppies into garden ponds to eat mosquito larvae.

Finally, you can help prevent flies entering your home:

• After dark, keep windows and doors closed or block out the light with curtains
• Fit fly screens to windows especially around kitchen and waste areas

How to get rid of flies

There are a range of DIY products in the market to kill flies but an established fly problem may require professional pest control to ensure that it will not reoccur.

Professional fly control

While DIY products can deal with smaller fly problems, a professional pest control service will be required for larger or multiple infestations.

Rentokil technicians understand the habits of each species and also have a range of powerful insecticides to deal with flies and provide the reassurance that the problem has been fully dealt with.

Rentokil offers a call-out service to deal with fly and other pest problems in the home.  Our service is fast, effective and offers the highest level of safety for your family and pets.

If you would like further advice or to arrange a visit by a Rentokil technician, call us free on 1800 102 9888.