Houseflies have been exceptionally bad this year. A lot may have to do with
the mild winter we had and the amount of rain we have experienced this spring. Looking at the stores it appears everything pertaining to eliminating flies is totally empty of the shelves. We at Southern Pest Control would like to share some information about houseflies that may be useful.
Houseflies are scavengers and land on us because they like us: The human body, like some of their favorite food sources — feces, food and rotting flesh radiates a sense of warmth and nourishment. And while not interested in biting, the common housefly, orย musca domestica,ย does want to suck up the salt, dead skin, oil and whatever they find edible on the exposed epidermis with their straw-like tongues.
Thanks to hearty appetites aided by an excellent sense of smell and a pair of complex eyes that cover half of their heads, houseflies also land on us and everything else in sight because theyโre constantly on the hunt for a nice warm place to poop, vomit and lay eggs. This charming land-and-defecate-everywhere routine has made flies vectors of communicable diseases, ranging from typhoid to tuberculosis. The pathogens transmitted by houseflies, picked up after feasting on things like dung heaps and dead animals, are carried on their legs and around their mouths. Think
about it: Each time a fly lands on your arm or takes a stroll around the rim of your mug of morning coffee, it could be shaking a whole lot of germs off of its hairy little legs.
The easiest, most inexpensive way to make the area in and around your home a โno flyโ zone as you put it is to take basic preventative measures. If you have a dog and arenโt quick to pick up and dispose of its poop you should start making this your number one priority. Thereโs a reason why the filthy, winged critters love dog poop: It serves as both an all-you-can-eat buffet and an ideal egg depository. Also, donโt leave food out for too long, maintain a cleanย and tidy house (pay special attention to kitchen surfaces), empty your garbage cans regularly and keep an eye out for organic rotting matter. Itโs about keeping a spic-and-span, sanitary home.
If houseflies keep on inviting themselves into your home, you should obviously shut windows and doors but also check for cracks and holes (particularly around window screens).
We your friends atย Southern Pest Controlย hope this information was helpful. Please remember when you have unwanted pests or animal problems our expert technicians are there to help. Just call our office atย 800 527-9832ย to set up a free estimate inspection. We have been serving the Gulf Coast for over 40 years.