Are Flies Harmful?
We think it is safe to say that flies are among the most irritating of
pests, constantly buzzing in your ears and landing on your food. But,
did you know that flies are also actually quite dangerous? While very
few flies will actually bite or sting you, most of them carry and transmit
harmful pathogens and parasites that can make humans very sick. Flies
pick up these harmful pathogens and parasites from places they feed such
as trash cans, decaying animals, rotting food, and manure, and can transfer
them anywhere they land. Transmission of fly diseases takes place when
flies make direct contact with people or the food they eat.
Flies are known to transmit the following diseases:
- Dysentery
- Typhoid
- Cholera
- Trachoma
- Epidemic conjunctivitis
- Cutaneous diphtheria
- Leprosy
- Salmonella
- Tuberculosis
- Gastroenteritis
What Attracts Flies?
The best way to prevent flies is to understand what attracts them in the
first place. Flies are attracted to food sources, including uncovered
trash, animal droppings, old fruit, vegetable scraps, rotting meat, spilled
sugary drinks, scum buildup in drains, and decaying flesh. They are also
attracted to the warmth that comes from homes and lights in particular
because warmer environments make breeding easier.
How to Prevent Flies
Once a fly infestation is established in your home or business, it can be very difficult
to eliminate. Once flies make their way onto your property, they can breed
and expand their populations quite quickly, making prevention very important.
To prevent flies, you should:
- Repair any holes in your window and door screens
- Seal all food in airtight containers
- Dispose of rotting fruit and vegetables
- Take your trash out regularly
- Make sure your outside trashcans are properly covered
- Clean and sanitize your kitchen regularly
- Take care of any spills as soon as they happen
- Schedule routine pest control
Bringing in a team of pest control experts is the best way to prevent a
fly infestation. At Enviro-Tech Pest Services, we can apply a preventative
barrier around your home or business to protect it against flies.
Discover the Enviro-Tech difference. Call
(800) 836-3089 today.