Macro shot of a blue fly insect isolated on white background

Flies might seem like a minor nuisance, but they can spread serious diseases. They are known to carry Salmonella, E. coli, and other harmful bacteria.

Without proper fly control, your business may face contamination and a hit to your reputation.

Fly swatters, sticky traps, or over-the-counter insecticides are often ineffective and fail to address the root causes of fly infestations.

Pest control companies, such as Batzner Pest Control, take a full approach to professional fly control. We target every stage of the fly lifecycle.

The Fly Lifecycle

Flies can reproduce quickly and in large numbers, making infestations difficult to control. A single female fly can lay up to 900 eggs in her lifetime, which can hatch into larvae within 48 hours. These larvae, known as maggots, consume decaying organic matter. They can become adult flies in just 10 days when conditions are ideal.

Here’s what each phase of the lifecycle looks like:

Eggs

Flies lay their eggs in dead animals, waste, spoiled food, trash, or other decaying organic matter. A single female fly can lay 900 eggs in her lifetime!

Larvae (AKA Maggots)

Eggs hatch into larvae, commonly called maggots, typically within 48 hours. The maggots feed on the waste they are born in.

Pupae

In 4-7 days, larvae become pupae. They burrow into the food’s surface and form a hard case around themselves to develop.

Adults

Depending on temperature and humidity, adult flies emerge from the pupal case in a few days to a few weeks. Adult flies typically live 3-4 weeks.

At temperatures around 86°F (30°C), a fly can complete its lifecycle from egg to adult in just 10 days. Dependent on species, adult flies thrive in temperatures from 75° – 85°F (24 – 29°C). So without addressing these breeding sites, fly populations can quickly spiral out of control.

What Do Flies Eat?

Flies are attracted to and eat a wide variety of food sources, including:

Plants
Nectar
Sugary Substances
Garbage
Decaying Organic Matter
Feces & Sewage
Decomposing Animals
Human Food

How Flies Eat

Adult flies can’t chew food. They have a straw-like mouthpart called a proboscis to slurp or absorb food. To consume solid food, they regurgitate saliva wth special enzymes onto it that help break it down to a liquid.

Contamination Risks

When flies land on these surfaces, they can collect harmful bacteria. Then, they spread it to other areas, like food prep zones and dining tables. Foodborne illnesses are the biggest risk of contamination. Symptoms of foodborne illness include nausea, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever.

The best way to avoid these risks is to keep flies away.

How Can You Keep Flies Away?

One of the most important aspects of fly control is preventing them from entering your facility in the first place. Flies can enter through open doors, windows, and other small gaps and cracks in the building exterior.

Good sanitation is critical to reduce problems with flies. These tips can help:

Close doors & windows when not in use. Use screens or air curtains for those that must remain open.
Empty indoor and outdoor garbage cans daily. Seal bags tightly and remove to an exterior dumpster.
Ask your pest control technician about exclusion. This seals gaps around doors, windows, pipes, etc. to prevent fly entry.
Have dumpsters emptied regularly. Routinely wash or clean dumpsters or have them replaced. Wash down dumpster pads.
Install insect light traps in high-activity areas. It is important to work with a pest control expert for the best placement.
Talk to your pest control partner about an outdoor baiting program. It can help cut down on fly activity outside your facility.

Fly Exclusion

Having professional fly exclusion is one of the best ways to keep flies out. Our pest control experts use advanced exclusion techniques to block entry points. This creates a barrier that keeps flies out. You could install fly screens, air curtains, or door sweeps. These options stop flies from getting inside.

We also identify and seal off any gaps or cracks in the building exterior that could provide access to flies.

Partner With Us Today for Professional Treatment

Fly control is an ongoing process that requires regular attention and maintenance. Trying to handle the problem on your own can be time-consuming and ineffective, taking away from your core business responsibilities.

We’ll help you create a fly control plan just for your business. Plus, we’ll give you ongoing support to keep your facility free of flies.

Our trained technicians find and remove breeding sites. They also set up exclusion measures and use targeted treatments to get rid of adult flies. We also work to identify and eliminate any remaining breeding sites to prevent future infestations.

Don’t let flies put your business at risk! We’ll help you find problem areas and create a solid plan to keep your facility safe and clean.