Flies can be a big problem once they find their way into your house. They are not only annoying, but notorious for carrying diseases. They transmit these diseases, such as salmonella and gastroenteritis, through both saliva and feces. To protect yourself and your family, there are certain things you can do to avoid and get rid of flies in your home.
How to Prevent Flies in Your Home
Many times flies will enter your home to eat. There are certain precautions you can take to keep them out:
Take care with pet food.
Wet pet food can be especially problematic because it presents an ideal breeding ground. Make sure to remove any uneaten food and clean out bowls as soon as your pet has finished eating.
Keep your kitchen clean.
Keeping things in your house clean will go a long way in avoiding flies. Make sure to wash dishes immediately. Do not leave them out on the counter or sitting dirty in the dishwasher. The lid on your garbage should close completely and you should wash it with disinfectant weekly.
Monitor your fruit.
Make sure to eat your fruit by the sell-by date. Ripe and over-ripe fruit should be kept in the refrigerator.
Use cayenne pepper as a deterrent.
You can steep cayenne pepper in water to use as a fly deterrent. Spray the solution around window sills and doorways. The strong smell will help keep flies away, but could bother some people too.
Grow certain plants in window boxes.
There are some garden plants that repel flies. These include: bay leaf, mint and lavender. Planting these in window boxes will help to discourage them from entering in through windows. Flies also avoid nasturtium and marigolds.
How to Treat a Fly Problem in Your Home
Sometimes flies still get in. What you can do:
Clean your home.
Flies like to hide behind shelving and furniture. Vacuum in these places first.
The next thing you need to do is wash down surfaces. This should be done with a disinfectant spray or wet wipes to catch any fly eggs.
Use fly traps.
Fly traps can be especially helpful. The key is putting the traps as far away as possible since they actually attract flies. Sugar water will help bring them in.
Contact a professional.
If you have a problem with a fly infestation, it may be time to seek out a professional. A professional will have the tools necessary to help you. If you are worried about flies in your home, a professional can also give you more tips for safeguarding against them and evaluate your property for problem areas.
Concerned about flies or other pests? Contact us at Germantown Pest Control & Termite today to schedule an inspection.