Flies are annoying enough outside, but once they find their way inside your home, it becomes a whole new level of frustration. Whether they’re buzzing around the kitchen or circling the living room lights, it can feel like they showed up out of nowhere. The question that homeowners often find themselves asking is: How are flies getting in my house?
We’ll break down the common causes, the areas of your home most vulnerable to fly invasions, and what you can do about them. By the end, you’ll have a better understanding of why there are flies in your house and how to stop them from turning your home into their next hangout.
Why There Are Flies in Your House
If you’re seeing flies around your home, there’s a reason they’re sticking around. Flies don’t randomly appear inside — they’re finding something they like. Whether it’s food, moisture, or a place to breed, they’re taking advantage of conditions that are easier to fix than you might think.
Open Windows and Cracks Are Invitations
Flies don’t need much space to sneak in. Cracks around window frames, poorly sealed doors, and even ceiling vents can give them easy access. If you’ve been wondering how flies are getting in your house, start by looking at the points where the outside meets the inside. A fly doesn’t care how clean your home is if it finds an easy opening.
Food Left Out Attracts Pests
Fruit bowls, crumbs on counters, open garbage bins, and compost can all bring flies indoors. It doesn’t take much, especially with species like the fruit fly, or Drosophila melanogaster, that love rotting produce. This could be one of the most likely reasons your house is infested with so many house flies, especially if food has been left uncovered.
Moisture Builds a Perfect Habitat
Moisture attracts flies in ways we often overlook. Think leaky plumbing, overwatered houseplants, or standing water in the bathroom. Fungus gnats and other small fly types thrive in damp conditions, feeding off fungus and organic matter. If you’re trying to figure out why there are flies in your house, grab a flashlight and inspect your sinks, drains, and plants.
Common Types of Flies You Might See Indoors
Knowing what kind of fly you’re dealing with can help explain why there are flies in your house and how best to get rid of them. Different species have different habits and entry points.
House Flies
The standard house fly, or Musca domestica, is often seen buzzing around trash or food. These flies breed quickly and love garbage, pet feces, and other decaying matter. If you’ve got several buzzing around your kitchen, it’s time to look at your garbage disposal, compost bin, or even outdoor trash areas.
Fruit Flies
These tiny flies are particularly drawn to overripe fruit and sugary drinks. If you’ve got bananas or peaches sitting out, you might soon have a cloud of Drosophila circling them. A major reason flies are getting into your house could be traced to what’s in your fruit bowl.
Cluster Flies and Gnats
Cluster flies tend to appear in attics or upper rooms, while gnats prefer damp houseplants. If your houseplants are overly moist, or your attic isn’t well-sealed, that could be part of how flies are getting into your house and reproducing.
Reasons Your House Is Infested With So Many House Flies
When you’re constantly swatting flies, it’s natural to ask why they’re not going away. There are a few things that might be happening without you realizing it.
Food Waste and Unsealed Trash
One of the most common reasons your house is infested with so many house flies is food waste. Garbage that sits for too long or is not sealed can act like a buffet for adult flies and a nursery for larvae. Even the smell of waste can draw them in from outside.
Pet Droppings and Litter Boxes
Pets are wonderful, but their messes attract pests. Flies are attracted to feces and other organic waste. If droppings are left in the yard or litter boxes aren’t cleaned often, you might find that’s why there are flies in your house more often than you’d expect.
Damp and Dirty Drains
Kitchen and bathroom drains are favorite breeding spots for flies. If drains aren’t cleaned regularly, gunk builds up. That mix of food particles, moisture, and bacteria creates the perfect environment for fly eggs. This is often overlooked and could explain how flies are getting into your house and multiplying fast.
Outside Conditions Invite Them In
Outdoor compost piles, open pet food, and even nearby manure can invite flies close to your home. If you have decaying matter nearby, it’s a short flight for them to get inside when a door opens. That’s one of the sneakier reasons your house is infested with so many house flies.
Seasonal Weather Shifts
As temperatures drop or rise, flies look for comfortable indoor conditions. They don’t travel far, but when they do, they find warm, moist spaces to breed. So, if you’ve recently had a weather shift, that may be why there are flies in your house now and not two weeks ago.
Flies Are a Health Risk You Don’t Want to Ignore
It’s not just about buzzing and annoyance. Flies carry bacteria and disease. They can pick up pathogens from feces, garbage, and carrion, then bring them into your kitchen. This is why dealing with fly infestations is important not only for comfort but also for safety. You wouldn’t want to find a fly crawling on your dinner after landing on waste outside.
How to Get Rid of Flies
Once you know how flies are getting into your house, the next step is to do something about it. Start with practical strategies to remove their access and food sources.
- Keep screens in good shape and seal cracks with caulk.
- Take out trash regularly and clean bins.
- Fix leaks and reduce indoor humidity.
- Don’t leave food or fruit sitting out.
- Clean drains with boiling water or a brush to remove buildup.
In some cases, using traps can help manage adult flies while you work on removing breeding grounds.
When to Call for Professional Pest Control
If you’ve followed the above cleaning steps and flies keep showing up, there may be a deeper issue you can’t spot on your own. This is especially true for larger houses or those with multiple access points.
Dustin Pest Control offers expert services that include thorough treatments for fly infestations throughout Central Valley, CA. We also handle related pest problems, such as local wasp nest removal. Our team takes the guesswork out of fly problems by locating the source, treating it properly, and giving you advice on how to avoid future infestations.
Keep Your Home Fly-Free With Dustin Pest Control!
If you’re tired of asking yourself how flies are getting in your house, don’t wait. A clean, calm home is totally possible. Contact Dustin Pest Control for professional fly control services in Central Valley, CA! We’ll provide you with an inspection and treatment plan customized to your home. It’s fast, friendly, and it gets results.