Many of you are struggling with a common pest problem—flies in the home. Flies living in and around the home transmit various human diseases, such as shigellosis, traveler’s diarrhea, cholera, typhoid fever, and eye infection. Flies do not sting, but some blood-feeding flies can give a painful bite.
How to control cluster flies
- Seal cracks and crevices around homes, particularly upper stories of south and west sides prior to periods when flies enter in late August and September. Exterior treatment of house walls with a registered insecticide can further limit entrance.
- Locate the area where the flies are hibernating in the home and then treat them directly. Begin searching for resting sites on the southern and western sides of the building, and vacuum the flies off the surfaces on which they are hibernating. In areas inaccessible to vacuuming, a residual insecticide can be applied.
- Devices to trap the flies are also offered on the market. These traps, attached to windowpane where flies are a problem, contain a non-toxic powder that works like quicksand in trapping the insects that fall in.
- Swatting cluster flies is not recommended as it may attract more flies. Also, it is not advisable to control cluster flies by attempting to control the earthworm populations.
- For current chemical control options, contact Earth Guard Pest Services at:
916-457-7605
[email protected]
