Flies

Most Effective Products

Pyrid Insecticide Aerosol
Aerosol
As low as $27.99
Flex 10-10 Insecticide
Emulsifiable Concentrate (EC)
As low as $54.99
Forid Drain Gel Cleaner
Ready-To-Use
As low as $39.99
Martin's IG Regulator IGR Insecticide
Emulsifiable Concentrate (EC)
As low as $9.46
Musca-Stik
Glue Trap
As low as $8.05
Keith's Pro Tips

"Locating the breeding source of the flies is the key. If the source isn't located, the flies will persist. Remember, most fly species only live a day or two, so if you don't kill the source, there will just be more flies to contend with in a few days."

Flies Control: How to Get Rid of Flies

This page is a general Fly control guide. By using the products and methods suggested you can get control of any Fly species. The Flies category pages give additional information on the different common species. Follow these guides and use the recommended products and we guarantee 100% control of all Fly species.

Flies have been a bothersome insect to humans since the beginning of time. There are about 16,000 different species of Fly and that’s just in North America! Flies are an almost unavoidable pest and can be found in virtually every part of the world. The common Housefly is known as a filth fly because wherever there’s rotting food, terrible odors, and waste, a fly is bound to be there.

Because of their attraction to filth and garbage, Flies can be a hazard to humans by spreading disease. Anywhere a fly lands, they are leaving pathogens and bacteria which can transfer to your counters, plates, forks, knives, and to your food.

Fly infestations occur for many reasons. Cluster flies usually infest homes to escape winters and hide within your walls. House Flies and Drain Flies are attracted to decomposing materials, which could be a garbage can, a clogged drain, or a hidden animal corpse. 

When flies enter a home, they can often be very difficult to get rid of, and if given the chance to create offspring, things can get out of control real fast. By following our DIY guide below, you will know how to get rid of flies quickly using our tips and top recommended professional products.

Identification

flies identification

The tricky thing with Fly treatment is that different Fly species require the use of different products and techniques so it's vital to identify what fly you have. Misidentification can lead to using the wrong treatment products, which can be a waste of time and money.

  • No matter the fly type, they will have two pairs of wings, big eyes, and six legs.  Besides noting the appearance, what helps is observing where you have been seeing the flies frequent. 
  • Indoors you might see Fungus Gnats, House Flies, Drain Flies, Fruit Flies, and Cluster Flies.
  • If you see a large population of flies near your window on a warm winter's day, you're most likely dealing with Cluster Flies.
  • If the flies circle around vegetables and fruits then you probably have Fruit or House Flies.
  • If you see a fuzzy fly that looks like a small moth, it is most likely a Drain Fly.
  • if you see small flies near your potted plants, it's probably Fungus Gnats or a Phorid Flies.
  • Outdoors the most common culprit is the Blow Fly. They are easy to identify, they have green and blue iridescent bodies, and hover over garbage cans and feces. if you see any of these flies indoors, there might be an animal carcass nearby.

If you are able to identify your fly, you can go to one of our specific fly species pages to get more detailed advice on the treatment approach and what products to use. If you can't determine the exact species of fly you're dealing with, then continue on with this guide, it will cover both indoor and outdoor fly issues.

Inspection

rotten potato solutions pest and lawn

Once you have identified that you are dealing with flies, you need to proceed with an inspection. Before you can begin to treat your home you need to know where the flies are coming from and what is attracting them. During the inspection portion of this guide, you will look for fly activity and the conducive conditions that are generating the fly infestation. 

Where to Inspect

Indoors you'll want to look for Flies in the kitchen, bathroom, living room, and windows. In the kitchen, look inside your fruit bowl, and where vegetables are located (potatoes, onions, and tomatoes are a source of fruit flies). Check the drains in these areas, and floor drains if you're a business owner. Check the trash cans and garbage bins. Pet food and pet cages (hamsters, birds,etc.) should be inspected as well.

Outdoors check out in the yard, near your walls, and in the garbage bins that get picked up by the city, these areas could be breeding grounds for flies.

What To Look For

Indoors you are looking for areas that breed Fly activity such as trash, clogged drains, and decaying materials. In the fruit bowl, check for rotten fruits. In the garbage cans, check in the bottom for leftover trash. In your drains, note if they are functioning properly. Check pet cages for feces.

Outdoors, you'll be looking for pet droppings that have not been cleaned up, rotten wood, or compost piles that are attracting flies. If you've noticed a foul smell on your property, check for any possible animal carcasses. If you have located flies in any of these areas, this is where you will apply treatment.

Treatment

Now that you have confirmed Fly activity it's time to begin treatment. Remember that you must read all the labels in the products and follow application instructions on these labels and to stay safe by wearing personal protective equipment (PPE).

To successfully remove a Fly infestation from your home, sanitation is key. Start with cleaning up the filth sources that are attracting the Flies in the first place. Once the home has been cleaned and the source attracting the flies has been disposed of, you can carry out and indoor treatment. You will use the following products: Pyrid Aerosol, Forid Gel Cleaner, Musca-Stik Fly Traps, Flex 10-10 and I.G. Regulator.

Combining these products will quickly eliminate the Fly population within the home and yard.

Step 1 - Sanitize the Home

cleaning the house putting food in containers flies

Sanitizing your home prior to treatment is essential for fly control. This will create preliminary control and will eliminate the sources of the infestation. To do this you will need to clean your home and the materials that are attracting flies. You will use plastic containers and cleaning supplies.

Start by cleaning your kitchen and cleaning your garbage can. Make sure there are no spills on counters or leftover trash at the bottom of your garbage cans. Get rid of rotten or uneaten fruit (the main attractant of fruit flies). Seal fruits and vegetables in plastic containers.

Clean up after your pets in the yard and dispose of the droppings in your cat litter. Vacuum and mop your whole house to make sure there are no old spills that could be attracting flies. In the yard, get rid of compost piles that might also be attracting flies.

Step 2 - Capture Lingering Flies with Fly Traps

Musca-Stik being hung to catch Flies

While most flies will leave after you've cleaned up your home, some will stick around. Capture these lingering flies using the Musca-Stik Fly Trap. Musca-Stik Traps are an insecticide-free trap that uses pheromones and bright orange design to attract Flies directly to the trap, which is full of glue. Flies will become stuck and unable to escape.

To set up the Musca-Stik Trap, simply pour the pheromones packet into the catch basin at the end of the stick and place the trap high up above in the places where you have noted active Flies. After the flies have filled the trap, you can easily dispose of it.

Step 3 - Spray Pyrid Aerosol

pyrid application flies

Pyrid Aerosol is a pyrethrum-based insecticide aerosol that will provide a fast knockdown of any lingering Flies. Before spraying, make sure all pets and people are out of the house, and leave no food surfacing utensils exposed. Put away all the items in your washing rack. Turn off your air conditioner, fans, and close doors and windows.

Apply Pyrid at the rate of 1-3 seconds per 1,000 cubic feet. Start in the affected areas (kitchen, bathroom, garbage cans) by spraying toward the ceiling and make your way to the front of the house. Do not to let people or pets enter your home for at least 15 minutes. Ventilate your home after treatment, and wipe your kitchen counters.

Step 4 - I.G. Regulator and Flex 10-10

Applying Flex 10-10 and Martin's IGR for Fly Control

Flex 10-10 is an insecticide concentrate that is great for treating flying insects and when combined with Martin's I.G. Regulator it will target the undeveloped stages of flies (larval, pupal, and egg) that might be breeding indoors.

Mix I.G. Regulator with Flex 10-10 to treat for flies indoors. In a gallon sprayer, mix 3.2 fl. oz. of Flex 10-10 in a gallon of water with 1 oz of I.G. Regulator to treat cracks and crevices, bookcases, surfaces, walls and other areas where you have noticed flies.

Next, you will apply treatment to the exterior of your home by spraying three feet up and three out from the foundation, as well as windows, doors, eaves, and plumbing/electrical penetrations. Broadcast the mixture all over the yard, making sure to contact the lawn, landscaping, and ornamentals. 

Step 5 - Forid Drain Gel Cleaner

forid drain application

For flies flying around your sink drains, get rid of them using Forid Drain Gel Cleaner. Forid is an organic microbial product that breaks down grease and organic material and waste, which will eliminate their food sources and their breeding grounds.

To use Forid, run hot water down the drain for a couple of minutes and then measure and pour 4 ounces of Forid into the affected drains. Make sure to pour around the drain's outer edges. Repeat the process of pouring Forid down the drains for the following 5 to 7 nights until there is no further fly activity.

Prevention

flies prevention

After you have eliminated the Fly infestation, you need to enact preventative measures to make sure that Flies don't make a return. Here are some things you can carry out to prevent flies from coming back.

  • Practice good hygiene and regularly clean the house, taking out the garbage daily, picking up your pet's feces, and wiping your kitchen counters. Clean any spills immediately and don’t let them sit for a while. 
  • Do not let the fruits rot away and attract possible flies.
  • Reduce moisture in your home by addressing poor drainage around your structure both inside and outside your home.
  • Keep bathrooms clean and do not let mold or mildew grow in the tub or shower area.
  • Use caulk to seal any possible entry points into the structure, especially near windows and doors. 
  • Finally, Re-apply the Flex 10-10 and Martin's IG Regulator mixture every 3 months to maintain the protective barrier around your home that will discourage flies from harboring the area.

Key Takeaways

What Are Flies?

  • Flies are small flying insects that are not only annoying but are a major health hazard because of the places they frequent. They are normally around garbage and waste, so when they come into contact with your yard, home, and especially around your food, you could be at risk of catching an illness from them or worse.

How To Get Rid of Flies Indoors and Outdoors

  • Sanitation is half the battle when it comes to getting rid of a Fly infestation. Locate and remove the filth source, take out garbage and do a thorough cleanup prior to treatment.
  • Indoors, apply a combination of Forid Drain Gel Cleaner, Musca-Stick Fly Traps, Pyrid Aerosol and a Flex 10-10/IG Regulator mixture to eliminate flies. Outdoors use the same Flex 10-10 and IG Regulator solution to create a barrier and keep flies away.

Preventing Fly Reinfestation

  • To keep flies away long-term, sanitize your home regularly by implementing a cleaning routine, tossing out trash and waste frequently, and reducing moisture and organic matter around drains and areas that can accumulate filth.
  • Seal as many points of entry around the home as possible with caulk to make it harder for flies to gain access into your home.
  • Perform follow-up applications of Flex 10-10 and Martin's IG Regulator on a quarterly basis to keep flies and other bugs off your property.
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