Residential Customers

Flies & Mosquitoes

Dealing with Fly Problems in your Home

Flies can be a nuisance when buzzing around the home particularly if in large numbers. However, some species of flies also pose a health risk.

In particular, house flies can transmit a wide range of disease-causing microbes, including those responsible for food poisoning, dysentery, tuberculosis, cholera and parasitic worm infections.

Mosquitoes are associated with a variety of human diseases including malaria and West Nile Virus; mosquitoes also transmit the organism associated with dog heartworm.

Mosquito bites can be very irritating and distressing.

Types of Fly Problesm

There are thousands of different species of flies but the most common fly problems are caused by:

• Houseflies – Adults 1/4" - 5/16". Female houseflies lay 400-600 eggs in decaying matter or faeces which develop into maggot larvae. Attracted to any uncovered food or organic waste.
  

• Blow Flies or Bottle Flies – Adults 1/4" - 1/2", usually metallic blue or green but can be black or grey. Significant numbers in a house will often indicate a dead animal (such as a mouse) in the property.
  

• Cluster Flies - Adults 1/4" - 3/8". Cluster flies often take shelter over the winter inside homes (such as in attics) and can occur in very large numbers in the home as they emerge in the spring.
  

• Mosquitoes – Adults 3/16. Tend to be found near still water where their larvae develop. Our guide to insect bites advises on treatment for bites.

How to keep flies away

To some extent, you can prevent fly activity by minimizing food sources and larval habitat:

• Always cover food – flies spread diseases by landing on food.
• Clear away food and liquid spillages immediately.
• Clean food debris from under kitchen appliances.
• Make sure all rubbish bins have tightly sealed lids.
• Keep compost enclosed and covered.
• Clean up after pets – animal droppings are very attractive landing and breeding spots for flies.
• Mosquitoes are highly dependent on water; without water, mosquito eggs will not hatch. A small puddle is enough to serve as a breeding site. Minimize breeding sites by minimizing standing water:
• Ensure drains and gutters are clear, free of debris and running.
• Eliminate standing water in containers. (e.g. tires, flower pots)
• Change water in birdbaths and fountains each week.

Finally, you can help prevent flies and mosquitoes from entering your home:

• Close windows and doors or block light with curtains.
• Fit fine-mesh screens to windows, especially around kitchen and garbage areas.

Professional fly and Mosquito control

Although many homeowners struggle with do it yourself fly and mosquito control remedies the results are often less than satisfactory. Small problems can develop into large ones and this is when many people seek out the services of a pest control professional.

Ehrlich technicians are skilled, extensively trained and experienced professionals – they are state certified licensed pest control technicians. They understand the habits of pest species and use that knowledge to choose the proper control methods and to develop an effective control program. They also have respect for you, your home, your family and your time.

At Ehrlich Pest Control, we pride ourselves on fast, responsive service every day. We are always available 24 hours a day for any emergency pest concerns that may develop and all appointments are scheduled at times that are convenient for you our customer.

If you would like further advice or to arrange a free inspection by an Ehrlich technician, call us free at 1-800-837-5520.