What Are Filth Flies?

Filth flies are a group of flying insects typically associated with unsanitary environments and decaying organic matter. They are just some of the many types of flies encountered in Florida. These pests are attracted to garbage, feces, and other filth, which they use as food sources and breeding grounds. Filth flies can be a significant problem in residential and commercial spaces, particularly where waste, rotting food, or dead animals are present. They can spread diseases and contaminate surfaces with bacteria and pathogens, making them a health hazard.

When summer arrives, filth fly activity erupts in the Florida area. The warmer temperatures create perfect conditions for fly reproduction, leading to an overwhelming amount of filth flies or house flies in some places. When food sources and temperatures are ideal, the filth fly can hatch from egg to adulthood in as little as seven days. The female fly can produce hundreds of offspring in her short lifetime, bringing about frustrating fly infestations by the end of summer. 

Common Types of Filth Flies

House Flies

House flies are among the most common filth flies. They are attracted to garbage, manure, rotting food, and other decaying organic matter. These flies breed quickly, laying eggs in waste materials that hatch into larvae (maggots), then developing into adult flies. House flies can spread disease and contaminate food as they defecate while feeding, making them a serious hygiene concern.

Blow Flies

Blow flies are typically larger than house flies and are often found near decaying animal carcasses, garbage, and other organic material. These flies are especially attracted to rotting meat, where they lay their eggs. Their maggots feed on the decaying matter, and the adult flies can carry harmful bacteria that contaminate food and surfaces. Blow flies are often associated with decomposition and can present a serious problem when they infest kitchens or dumpsters.

Flesh Flies

Flesh flies are similar to blow flies but are smaller and tend to prefer breeding in rotting flesh or dead animals. These flies also breed in decaying organic material like feces, manure, and garbage. Flesh fly larvae can develop in waste and can pose a significant health risk in environments like farms, commercial kitchens, and restaurants. Like other filth flies, they can carry disease and spread harmful pathogens.

What Are Filth Flies Attracted To?

This particular group of flies are drawn to environments that offer food, moisture, and breeding sites. They are commonly attracted to wet organic material, including spilled liquids, overripe fruit, and leftover pet food, and they’re known to seek out food waste residue on unclean surfaces or in dirty containers. Bright lights can also attract certain filth fly species, especially during evening hours, leading them indoors through poorly sealed doors or windows.

Where Do Filth Flies Come From?

Filth flies originate from locations where waste accumulates or organic material is allowed to decompose. Common sources include untended compost bins, soiled mop buckets, and leaky garbage bags. They can also come from improperly stored animal feed or wet spots in landscaping, like mulch or overwatered soil. These flies frequently infiltrate buildings via cracks in foundations, damaged screens, or ventilation ducts, establishing themselves wherever conditions allow them to thrive.

Are Filth Flies Dangerous?

Unfortunately, filth flies can be dangerous if left untreated. That’s because they often come with poor sanitation since they spend most of their life in or around decaying material. When moving from decaying matter to human-populated areas, they can bring germs and bacteria to the food or food prep areas. Filth flies are known to carry over 100 different diseases, including the food-borne illness, Salmonella. 

Health Risks Associated with Filth Flies

According to ‘Pests in and Around the Southern Home’, filth flies are known carriers of diseases such as dysentery and salmonella. As they move between filth and clean areas, they transfer bacteria, parasites, and viruses through their legs, bodies, and feces. These flies often defecate while feeding, further increasing the risk of contamination. Filth fly maggots can also infest wounds or food, posing additional health hazards.

Why Filth Flies Are a Concern in Homes and Businesses

In homes, filth flies contaminate food and kitchen surfaces, making preparing or consuming meals unsafe. Businesses, particularly kitchens and restaurants, threaten food safety standards, risking fines, loss of reputation, and closure. 

For industries like healthcare or food processing, filth flies can spread harmful pathogens, jeopardizing operations and public health. Their rapid reproduction rates make infestations difficult to control without timely intervention, further amplifying the risk.

Got a filth fly problem? Florida Pest Control is here to help. Our expert fly control solutions target infestations at the source, ensuring your space is safe, hygienic, and free from these harmful pests. Contact us today.

How Do I Get Rid of Filth Flies in My House?

Dealing with filth flies requires a comprehensive plan that eliminates breeding sites, maintains cleanliness, and utilizes effective fly control solutions. It’s important to note while some steps can be handled with DIY methods, professional pest control ensures thorough and lasting results.

Identify and Eliminate Breeding Sites

This particular group of flies is attracted to areas with decaying organic matter and moisture, making locating and removing these sources essential. Check for loose lids or food residue in garbage cans, clogged drains where organic material accumulates, and hidden debris like dead animals or rotting food in crawl spaces or walls. These breeding sites serve as the foundation for infestations, so addressing them promptly is critical to halting the fly life cycle. 

Effective Cleaning and Sanitation Practices

Maintaining a clean and sanitary home prevents and eliminates filth flies. Regular cleaning removes the food and moisture sources these pests rely on. Thoroughly clean garbage bins to remove residue and prevent smells that attract flies. Regularly clear and sanitize drains where organic buildup may occur. Sweep and wipe down all surfaces, focusing on areas where food scraps or spills might accumulate, such as kitchens and dining areas.

DIY Methods for Fly Control

Some people use DIY methods to try to reduce flies, especially for small infestations. For example, vinegar and dish soap traps can be used to catch flies, and strong-smelling herbs like basil or mint may keep flies away. Apple cider vinegar traps are also used to repel fruit flies. 

While these methods can help a little, they don’t solve bigger problems or stop infestations completely. Natural methods can help reduce flies for a short time, but they don’t fix the main cause of the problem or work well for bigger infestations. 

Professional fly control is the best solution. Learn more about Florida Pest’s residential fly control.

Fly Traps, Baits, and Sprays

Insect Light Traps (ILTs) can be effective for capturing flies indoors without using chemicals. For drain flies, specialized drain cleaners can break down organic material that serves as a breeding ground. Additionally, fly sprays and baits offer immediate relief by targeting adult flies in high-activity areas. 

However, residential products are often less robust than commercial-grade solutions. They may reduce the number of visible flies but often fail to address underlying infestations or hidden breeding sites effectively. If you want to eliminate filth flies from your home, professional pest control services are the most reliable option for comprehensive fly management. Experts at Florida Pest Control combine advanced fly treatments with preventative strategies to resolve all filth fly issues.

Preventing Filth Flies from Returning

Filth flies don’t usually come indoors until they have reached adulthood, so many of the exclusive efforts you can take center around keeping adult flies out. One of the best ways to keep your property free of flies is to limit development areas for flies to grow outside and to practice fly exclusion. Here are some of the main tips to limit flies and keep them outside:

Exclusion Methods to Reduce Filth Flies

We recommend:

• Put in screens or vents wherever there is an exterior opening. 
• All receiving doors should remain closed when not in use. Also, check for gaps or missing seals when doors are closed. 
• Doors to garbage chutes should be closed when not in use. Make the route from indoors to the exterior dumpster as sealed off as possible. 
• Monitor the timing of self-closing doors so they do not stay open for long periods. A common pest-proofing issue with public entryway doors is the astragal seal at the door base of where the double doors meet. Seals are available for pest-proofing the astragal seal.

Install trash receptacles with self-closing lids around the building exterior and empty them as frequently as possible. 

Sanitation Methods to Reduce Filth Flies

Reducing sanitation issues around your property is another way to limit flies. Here are a few ideas we recommend:

• Keep the area around and under the dumpster as clean as possible. 
• Clean the garbage chute and ensure it is free of debris. 
• When the dumpster box is removed from the refuse company, request that it be cleaned before it is returned. 

Effective sanitation is crucial in preventing flies from returning. Regular cleaning and removing organic matter that attracts flies—such as food waste, rotting materials, and dead animals—can greatly reduce the likelihood of an infestation. 

Best Practices for Indoor Fly Prevention

Preventative measures include ensuring food is stored properly in airtight containers, cleaning up spills immediately, and maintaining cleanliness around food preparation areas. Make sure food is stored properly in airtight containers, reducing potential food sources for flies. 

How to Protect Outdoor Areas from Filth Flies

Outdoor areas are common breeding grounds for filth flies, so keeping them clean and free of organic material is essential. We advise proper waste management practices, such as securing garbage cans and dumpsters and removing compost or rotting vegetation regularly. 

Proper Waste Management and Disposal

Proper waste management and disposal is one of the most effective ways to prevent flies. Set up a regular waste removal schedule and ensure waste is securely disposed of. We recommend properly bagging organic materials like food scraps and manure and performing routine dumpster cleanings to eliminate potential fly breeding sites.

Filth Fly Control for Commercial Spaces

Filth flies are common in businesses in Florida during summer. Despite efforts to make sure your property is sanitary or equipped with exclusion tactics, fly infestations are still possible. 

Common Problem Areas in Businesses

Filth flies are commonly attracted to waste, decaying organic materials, and poor sanitation – meaning they’re attracted to kitchens, restaurants, and healthcare facilities. Areas like garbage bins, dumpsters, and drains can quickly become breeding grounds. In restaurants food storage areas and prep stations are high-risk zones. For warehouses or manufacturing facilities, spaces that store organic materials or have poor ventilation can also attract these pests. When this happens, give Florida Pest Control a call to help get flies under control.

Professional Solutions for Restaurants, Warehouses, and Facilities

Our professional approach combines advanced technology, strategic planning, and proactive prevention to ensure your business complies with hygiene standards.

Our service begins with a comprehensive inspection of your property to identify high-risk areas such as food preparation spaces, waste storage zones, drains, and loading docks. Once we’ve identified the sources of the issue, we design a customized treatment plan to address your specific needs.

We use Lumnia light traps (ILTs) in key locations to capture adult flies for effective and discreet fly control. These innovative, energy-saving traps provide a hygienic solution that aligns with food service demands and other sensitive industries.

In larger facilities, we may recommend installing air curtains to create a barrier that prevents flies from entering high-traffic doorways or loading areas. Additionally, we implement drain treatment solutions to eliminate breeding sites and address hidden infestations in sinks, floor drains, and other moist environments where flies thrive.