Noticing a few noisy flies in your house or your business may not mean you have an infestation, especially during warmer months. But if you’re suddenly spotting lots of flies in the house, it could be a sign of a bigger issue. A fly infestation in a home or business environment can happen quickly if the conditions are right. Food waste, standing water, and unnoticed entry points can all invite flies inside.
A sudden housefly infestation often happens after bringing home food, missing a trash day, or dealing with plumbing problems. Flies get in through small gaps around windows, doors, or vents. Once inside, they’re drawn to moisture, rotting food, dirty drains, pet waste, and even damp houseplants.
Different fly species are drawn to different things. For example, drain flies tend to breed in wet, organic matter and may be attracted to light sources. Fruit fly infestations in home settings are often linked to overripe fruit or fermenting liquids, while houseflies are attracted to rotting food, pet waste, and garbage.
Some flies lay eggs near organic waste, and once those eggs hatch, a new wave of adult flies can appear seemingly overnight. If this keeps happening, you may be dealing with a more serious fly infestation in your house than expected.
These signs usually indicate a breeding ground or regular access point that should be addressed.
A fly infestation in houses and commercial buildings is generally considered serious when you’re seeing large numbers of adult flies over several days, especially after you’ve removed food waste and cleaned surfaces. The presence of maggots, strong odors near drains or trash cans, and repeated sightings in the same locations are also red flags.
Home infestations can also commonly occur when a wild animal (like a squirrel, racoon, opossum, rat, etc.) dies in the attic, crawlspace, garage, or elsewhere in your property.
If you notice persistent fly activity in multiple rooms or struggle to control the issue, it’s time to explore our professional fly control solutions.
Flies lay eggs in moist, organic material such as rotting food, animal waste, or damp compost. These eggs are tiny, white, and hard to see. Within a day or two, the eggs hatch into larvae, or maggots.
You might find clusters of eggs in garbage bins, underneath appliances, or inside drains. Some flies, like cluster flies, gather in groups to overwinter in attics or wall voids. Learn more about how to get rid of cluster fly infestations.
To get rid of a fly infestation, first identify the source of the problem: What is attracting them? Dispose of garbage and overripe produce, clean up any spills, and wash dishes quickly. Organic matter in drains can also attract drain flies, so make sure that your drains are kept clear.
Next, address the adult fly population with sticky traps, screens, or sprays. If this fails to address the fly problem, it may well be time to call in the professionals. Our fly exterminator services offer targeted solutions based on the type of fly, where they're coming from, and what’s attracting them.
At Ehrlich, we offer fly control services to address several types of fly infestations, including:
No matter the species, our fly control service is designed to help reduce the issue and protect your home from further infestation.
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