Pest Identification: Flies in Tennessee

Is any pest more of a nuisance than flies? One of the most common flying insects in the world, flies are also one of Tennessee’s most prodigious flying pests. Flies buzz about seeking sources of food, which makes them a common culprit for kitchen contamination. Flies constantly salivate and—because they can’t ingest solids—use this saliva to liquefy solid foods for digestion.

The average fly is capable of spreading more than 65 different types of diseases to humans, which makes them a particularly unwelcome pest in your or business. Flies are attracted to food, garbage, animal carcasses, feces, and dirty water. Once they land on any of these objects or surfaces to feed, they’re sure to spread whatever pathogens are found there as they defecate.

If you’re having trouble eliminating flies in your home, don’t settle for DIY measures that aren’t up to snuff. Contact U.S. Pest Protection today for your free inspection to determine and fix the source of your fly problem.

Signs of Flies

The most obvious sign of a problem are flies themselves. Flies can come in a variety of sizes, but house flies are among the most common in Tennessee. They measure around a quarter of an inch in diameter. House flies are significantly larger than these common flies, but their habitat tends to be outside more than indoors.

The biggest indicator of flies are often environmental conditions. If you notice a handful of flies inside your home, your best bet is to investigate and determine what’s attracting them to the space. Common reasons flies may be invading your space include:

• Overripe produce, fruits, or vegetables
• Rotting meat or other organic material
• Opened, sugary drinks left around the home
• Sticky liquid spills
• Uncovered garbage cans
• Pet feces

If you notice any of these around the home, there’s a pretty good chance you either already have a fly problem or are in the process of developing one. Flies will often lay their eggs near these sources of food so that their larvae—maggots—have ample nutrition to grow.

Eliminating Flies from Your Home

The best way to eliminate flies from your home is to prevent them in the first place. Clean often, especially after cooking and eating. Store leftovers (especially meat) in airtight containers in the fridge, and clean it out regularly. Don’t let fruit sit too long, and be sure to keep doors and window screens in good repair.

Of course, sometimes a fly infestation can become too much of a problem to deal with on your own. In these situations, contact U.S. Pest Protection for expert advice and treatment for fly problems. Our pest technicians will perform a free inspection to help determine the root causes of your fly problem and provide evidence-based solutions and treatments to help eliminate the issue. To learn more, contact us today.